Florida's 51 Shots Not Enough in 5-3 Loss

By Bryce Wright, Everblades Media Relations Assistant

ESTERO, FL – Zack Torquato scored twice while goaltender Brian Foster made 48 saves to propel the Wheeling Nailers to a 5-3 victory over the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena Friday night.

This time around the Everblades were the ones to strike first just two minutes into the opening frame thanks to Gabriel Desjardins who fired the puck on a wrist shot from the slot and blew it past Brian Foster to give the Everblades an early 1-0 lead.

However, one minute later the Nailers were able to tie the game up on an Evan Wardley shot from the blue line. Wardley was added to the Nailers squad earlier Friday morning, and the Nailers grabbed their first goal on their first shot of the game.

At the seven-minute mark of the first, Riley Brace’s centering pass from behind the net got a bounce off of Anthony Peters’ stick and went into the net and the Nailers took their first lead of the night 2-1.

Just two minutes later, Zack Torquato riffled a shot from the slot to put the Nailers up 3-1 over the Everblades. The Nailers scored three goals on their first three shots of the game.

The Everblades were able to cut the lead back to one before the end of the first period after finally getting a bounce to go their way as Syvret was able to shove a bouncing puck in front of the net past Brian Foster to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Nailers.

Six minutes into the second frame, the Nailers extended their lead to two on the power plays, as Torquato one-timed the puck past Peters on the shortside.

With five minutes to play, the Nailers put the dagger into the Everblades comeback chances, when Cody Wydo deflected in a Wardley shot from the blue line past Peters to put the Nailers up 5-2.

The Everblades tried to fight back into the game late in the third as they pulled Peters out of the net. The gamble paid off as Florida got a goal with 2:33 left on the clock by Brant Harris. However it was too little too late for the ‘Blades as the Nailers were able to hold on for the 5-3 win.

Brian Foster takes home the win as he was able to stop 48 of the Everblades’ 51 shots, while Peters takes the loss allowing five goals on 24 shots on net.

The Everblades will be back at home on Saturday as they host the Nailers. Game time is set at 7:00 p.m. Upcoming Home Games This WeekSaturday, November 21  vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:00 p.m. – Latino Heritage Night presented by Telemundo!   Tailgate Party from 5-7 p.m. featuring bounce houses, face painting and live music.

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages: We off full and partial season ticket plans that will save your money and fit your budget and schedule. . For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team's main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###