Everblades Reel in 4-3 Win Over Walleye

Recap Written by Robert Molnar 

ESTERO, FL – Jon DiSalvatore scored twice while Matt Marquardt also added a goal and two assists to lead the Florida Everblades (36-19-0-2, 74 pts) to a 4-3 victory over the Toledo Walleye (37-15-2-3, 79 pts) Saturday night at Germain Arena.

The Walleye opened the game’s scoring just before the halfway point of the opening period. A deflected pass off his skates, Evan Rankin went coast to coast past the Everblades defenders. Skating into the zone, Rankin fired a wrist shot past the glove of 'Blades goaltender Anthony Peters.

The Everblades would answer back at the 14:12 mark of the opening period. Getting the puck at center ice, Gabriel Desjardins broke into the attacking zone. Moving down the right wing side, Desjardins found Brendan O'Donnell with a centering feed in the slot. Firing a low wrist shot, O'Donnell beat Toledo goaltender Jeff Lerg under his right leg to tie the game.

Just over three minutes later, the 'Blades took their first lead of this week's three-game series against the Walleye. Moving up through the right circle, captain Matt Marquardt fired a shot the deflected off of the Toledo netminder. The rebound fell right to the stick of Jon DiSalvatore who quickly buried his shot into the open net.

Entering the second period, the 'Blades took no time extending their lead as Jon DiSalvatore netted his second goal at the 1:56 mark of the middle frame. Receiving a pass from Logan Roe at the low left wing circle, DiSalvatore turned a fired a shot through the five hole of Jeff Lerg to put the Everblades up 3-1.

The Everblades again extended their lead late in the second period. Moving through the neutral zone, DiSalvatore found Matt Marquardt alone on the left wing side. Moving towards the circle, Marquardt launched a low slap shot that blew by the Toledo goaltender and headed into the back of the net.

Earning an early power play, the Walleye would claw one back just 3:01 into the third period. Moving into the slot area, Kyle Bonis unleashed a quick wrist shot past the glove of Anthony Peters and into the top right corner of the net.

The Walleye continued to build momentum in the third period, cutting the 'Blades lead in half Midway through the third period. Circling the Everblades' zone, Zach Nastasiuk moved from the left wing side into the slot area. Firing a wrist shot, Nastasiuk buried his shot top shelf past the glove of Anthony Peters.

The 'Blades managed to hold off the Walleye for the final five minutes of the game despite Toledo pulling the goaltender to get the extra attacker with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

Anthony Peters earned the win in goal for the Everblades, stopping 19 of the 23–shots he faced. Jeff Lerg made some quality saves, but suffers the loss after allowing four goals on 29-shots.

The Florida Everblades head now head on the road for six straight games away from Germain Arena against South Division rivals. The first game of the road trip takes places this Thursday night against the Atlanta Gladiators at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, GA. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can catch the game broadcast on 770 AM or online by CLICKING HEREUpcoming Everblades Home Games

Friday, March 25 vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m. – Kids eat FREE in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

Saturday, March 26 vs. Greenville, 7:00 p.m. – Guns N' Hoses night. It's a hockey double-header as local police and fire fighters battle it out on the ice at 5:15 p.m. Then at 7:00 p.m. the Everblades will wear special Guns N' Hoses themed jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game. A ticket to the Everblades game gets you into the Guns N' Hoses game for free.  Pregame tailgate party featuring live music, bounce houses and face painting begins at 5:00 p.m.

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 at www.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.

Partial Season Ticket Packages:  Flexible partial season ticket plans are available to help 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###