K-Wings Glide Past 'Blades in High Scoring Affair

Written by Keaton Hanley 

ESTERO, FL -- Former Everblade Peter Schneider netted a hat trick to the lead the Kalamazoo Wings to a 7-5 victory over the Everblades at Germain Arena Friday night.

BOX SCORE

The K-Wings got out to a quick start with a goal in the first 33 seconds of the game, as Kyle Blaney won the draw in the offensive zone back to Scott Henegar who quickly wristed a shot through the traffic in front of Peters and to put the K-Wings up early.

The Blades and K-Wings exchanged chances for the remainder of the period, but the K-Wings would score again with 32 seconds left in the period to extend their lead to 2-0, off the stick of Tyler Heinonen who came down the right side into the zone on a 3-1 but shot it himself, going blocker side on Peters to send the Blades into the 1st intermission down 2 goals.

The second period action started with the Blades finding themselves in penalty trouble; on the 5-3 power play, the K-Wings were able to extend their lead with a goal from Peter Schneider from the top of the circle who fired it through traffic and by Peters to make it a 3-0 game.

The Blades stormed back with a goal of their own just a minute later. In the midst of a four-on-four situation, Florida got set up in the Kalamazoo end before the puck found its way to Mike Ferrantino’s stick. Ferrantino carried the puck to the top of the circle and used the Kalamazoo defenseman advancing towards him as a screen to beat Riopel with a shot on the blocker side.

With the use of his dashing speed Mitchell Heard pulled the Blades within one goal as he sped down the left hand side and beat a defenseman to give himself a breakaway. Heard broke in on goal one-on-one with Riopel and appeared to have waved his stick over the puck and just let the momentum slide the puck into the net, fooling Riopel for the goal.

The K-Wings scored again with 4:39 remaining in period, as Scott Henegar recorded his second of the night when he shot from the bottom of the circle that managed to find its way to the back of the net to put the score at 4-2 after two periods.

Just 19 seconds into the third, Brendan O’Donnell score his ECHL leading 38th goal of the year as he received a pass in the slot from Brant Harris before toe dragging past his defender and going bar down glove side on Riopel, and just like that the Blades were within one again with the score 4-3.

At 12:03 of the period, Brant Harris decided to be a one man army, as he lifted the stick of a K-Wings player trying to get the puck out of his zone, carried the puck to the slot, and ripped a shot past Riopel to tie the game at four.

The K-Wings would regain the lead with Schneider receiving a pass through the slot to the left circle before promptly wiring one by Peter’s blocker side for his second goal of the game and 4th in three games against the Blades this season.

Josh Wesley tied it at five on the power play with a blast from the point that ripped high into the net past Riopel with 2:14 left in the third.

The K-Wings wasted little time taking the lead once more, as Cameron Darcy delivered a pass to Brian Hart in the slot.   Hart tapped the puck past Peters to give K-Wings the lead once again at 6-5.

Peter Schneider continued to be a thorn in the Blades side, scoring the empty netter for the K-Wings, to complete his hat trick and seal the 7-5 win for the K-Wings.

Mitchell Heard finished with a four-point night for the Blades scoring a goal and adding three assists. Nick Riopel picked up the win for the K-Wings stopping 30 of 35 shots, some of which he had no business saving at all. Anthony Peters took the loss in his 50thstart of the season, with 20 saves on 27 shots.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. A limited number of tickets remain for Saturday's game.  Fans can purchase them online by CLICKING HERE or at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena.

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsSaturday, April 1 vs. Kalamazoo, 7:00 p.m. – First 500 fans (aged 12 and under) will receive a FREE Everblades Jersey courtesy of Wendy's!   It is also Storybook Prince & Princess Night, featuring themed characters and photo booth in the concourse!  From 5-7 p.m. there will be live music and bounce houses for the kids!

Monday, April 3:  Black Out Jersey Reveal at Ford’s Garage!Join us at Ford’s Garage at Miromar Outlets from 4-6 p.m. as we reveal the design for the Black Out jerseys which will be worn on the April 8 game against Orlando.  The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the Passion Foundation.  Several of the Everblades players will be on hand to meet with fans and sign autographs.  So come join the fun and enjoy the great food and drinks at Ford’s Garage!Ticket InformationGame 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

Playoff Tickets Now on Sale:  Playoff ticket packages and single game tickets for Playoff Game A & B are currently on sale.  Playoff package may be purchased through the team's administrative offices located at Germain Arena or by calling 239-948-7825.  Single game tickets for Games A & B may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office or online by CLICKING HERE

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you may 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###