Tough Third Period Results in 5-2 Loss at Greenville

Written by Robert Molnar

GREENVILLE, SC – Brandon Alderson, Joe Houk, Tristan King, and Angelo Miceli each scored a goal during the third period to help lead the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (35-21-4-1, 75 pts) to a 5-2 win over the Florida Everblades (38-14-2-3, 81 pts) Friday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The Everblades needed less than four minutes to score the game’s opening goal. Brendan O’Donnell picked up a pass from Brant Harris in the slot before turning his attention towards goal. O’Donnell wasted no time firing his shot past Greenville goaltender Brandon Halverson.

The Swamp Rabbits needed only 41 seconds of play in the second period to tie the game up at 1-1.  Brandon Alderson sent a nice outlet feed to a streaking Joe Houk. Advancing into the attacking zone on a two-on-one rush, Houk sent a pass across to Angelo Miceli who wasted no time snapping his shot past the glove of Everblades goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

The Everblades took advantage of an offensive zone faceoff to take a 2-1 lead. After winning the offensive zone draw, Matt Berry got the puck back to Dalton Smith who wasted no time in swinging a pass in towards the slot area. Stephen MacAulay picked up the puck in front of the goal and blasted his point blank chance into the back of the net.

Continuing the trend of quick goals, the third period was just over one-minute old before the Swamp Rabbits managed to tie the score up at 2-2.  Joe Houk got the puck over to Brandon Alderson. Moving towards the top of the left wing circle, Alderson slipped a slow moving shot towards goal. Taking a Greenville bounce, the puck hit off the pads of Alex Nedeljkovic and looped into the air, landing just inside the net for the goal.

Greenville took its first lead of the game midway through the third period, Bretton Cameron found Joe Houk alone in the neutral zone. Attempting to break up Houk’s breakaway attempt, Alex Nedeljkovic made a risky move by racing out to meat Houk in the slot area. Moving right around a diving Nedeljkovic, Houk buried his chance into the back of the empty net.

Just a few minutes later, the Swamp Rabbit doubled their lead,  again taking advantage of an odd-man rush to put an end to this game as they took a commanding 4-2 lead.

The ‘Blades struggled to make their line change in a timely manner. Taking advantage of this slow change, the Swamp Rabbits moved quickly to begin their odd man rush. Bringing the puck towards the net, Allan McPherson chipped a pass across to Tristan King who deflected the pass right past Alex Nedeljkovic.

Despite making a late attempt at forming a comeback, the Everblades could not find a way to beat Greenville netminder Brandon Halverson. Pulling the goaltender late in the contest, the ‘Blades eventually allowed an empty net tally, sealing the team’s 5-2 loss.

Brandon Halverson was in fine form on Friday night, earning the win in goal for the Greenville after stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced. Alex Nedeljkovic made some great saves during the contest for the Everblades but suffers the loss after allowing four goals on 34 shots.

BOX SCORE

Playing in the second of three straight games this weekend tomorrow night, the Florida Everblades now head a couple hours south to the North Charleston Coliseum where they will take on the rival South Carolina Stingrays. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can catch the game broadcast on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5-FM.104.3-FM, 770-AM or by CLICKING HEREUpcoming Home Games & PromotionsFriday, March 17 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. – 90's Night!  We are throwing it back to the 1990's, and fans are welcome to dress up in their 90's attire or as their favorite 90's character.   The first 500 fans will receive thunder sticks courtesy of Chuck-E-Cheese!

Saturday, March 18 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m. – Guns N Hoses night! Join us at 4:30 p.m. as our local fire fighters and police will battle it out on the ice! The Everblades will wear special police and fire fighter themed jerseys (pictured below) which will be auctioned off following the game to benefit the 4 The Kids Foundation.  A ticket to the Everblades game will get you in to the police and fire fighters game for free!

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.comSpecial Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive an Everblades jersey t-shirt and a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.  We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and scheduleDiscounted 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###