Patterson Stymies 'Blades with 41-Save Performance

ESTERO, FL – Kent Patterson made 41 saves while Eric Neiley scored twice to lift the Atlanta Gladiators to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades Saturday night at Germain Arena.

VIDEO:  Game Highlights  

For the second time in as many night’s, the Everblades opened the game’s scoring when Brendan O’Donnell picked up the puck in the slot and with a turnaround shot delivered the puck past Atlanta netminder Kent Patterson to give the ‘Blades a 1-0 edge after the first 20 minutes of play.

Atlanta captured the lead in the second period using two power play goals to its advantage. The first came at 3:41 of the middle frame when Eric Neiley tipped and redirected a Ben Marshall shot past Florida goaltender Anthony Peters.

Halfway though the second, Derek Nesbitt delivered a shot from the point that hit off a ‘Blades player and looped into the next over Peters to give the Gladiators a 2-1 lead after two periods complete.

Atlanta added to its lead in the third when Neiley would again light the lamp when he tipped and redirected a Corey Syvret shot from the point to extend his team’s lead to 3-1 with 12 minutes remaining.

For the remainder of the third, Florida peppered the Atlanta net with shots, but Kent Patterson continued to turn aside everything thrown his direction.

Florida received a late power play, and then pulled the goaltender to create a 6-on-4 advantage.  The gamble worked, as Brant Harris centered a pass to the top of the crease to John McCarron.  McCarron snapped a shot that was initially stopped by Patterson, but the rebound bounced back to him, and on the second shot McCarron lifted the puck over Patterson’s shoulder to pull Florida within one with just 1:20 remaining.

Despite a few more changes, the Everblades couldn’t net the equalizer and the Gladiators snapped a six-game winless streak with a 3-2 victory.

Patterson earned the win stopping 41 of 43 shots faced, while Peters takes the loss allowing three goals on 32 shots.   Eric Neiley finished with two goals for the second straight game.

BOX SCORE/GAME SHEET

With the loss, and an overtime loss by Orlando on Saturday, the ‘Blades and Solar Bears now share a lead in the South Division, which sets up a showcase matchup between the two teams on Wednesday (Dec. 21) at Germain Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.  Promotional details listed below.Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsWednesday, December 21 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.  – $2 Wednesday's!  $2 draft beers, $2 wines, $2 hot dogs all night long!  College Night too!  College students receive a $5 ticket with free parking when they present their college ID at Germain Arena.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.com2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available!  Full and flexible partial season ticket plans are currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule.

Special Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you ma also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

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