'Blades Open Weekend with 5-2 Win at Jacksonville

Written by Robert Molnar  

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Mitchell Heard scored the eventual game-winning goal while also adding an assist to help lead the Florida Everblades (40-12-2-4, 86 pts) to a 5-2 victory over the rival Jacksonville Icemen (22-30-4-3, 51 pts) Friday night at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Following the result, the Everblades now lead the South Division by five points over the South Carolina Stingrays.

BOX SCORE

Logan Roe opened the night’s scoring and give the ‘Blades a 1-0 lead. Picking up the puck near his own end line, Roe moved the puck into the neutral zone. Cutting into the attacking zone, Roe got to the front of the net before making a nice move to slide his shot under the leg pad of Jacksonville goaltender Austin Lotz.

Matt Berry doubled the ‘Blades lead with just 14-seconds remaining in the opening frame. Berry intercepted a pass and went defense-to-offense. Berry cut to the front of the net, deked to the backhand, and then flipped his shot over the glove of Austin Lotz and into the net.

Mitchell Heard recorded his 10th point in the last five games as he gave Florida a 3-0 lead midway through the middle frame. Heard showed great patience to pull back an initial shot, allowing the traffic to clear. Heard then blasted his power play chance straight into the back of the net.

Dajon Mingo finally got Jacksonville on the board, making it a 3-1 game midway through the second period. Jimmy Lodge got the puck to the point where it was collected by Mingo.  Mingo’s sent a rocket shot through some heavy traffic and right past a completely screened Callum Booth.

Less than a minute later, Jimmy Lodge continued to help the Icemen build some momentum as he made it a 3-2 game. Lodge moved into the offensive zone and fired a shot from the high slot, Lodge managed to beat a stunned Callum Booth and cut the Everblades lead to just a single goal.

However, the Icemen’s momentum would be quickly stunted as Stephen MacAulay cashed in on a second chance opportunity to give the Everblades a 4-2 lead late in the second period. Following an absolutely stellar stop from Austin Lotz, the loose puck would fall right to MacAulay’s stick. With the net now exposed, MacAulay wasted no time flipping his chance into the net.

In the third period, the Everblades would take full control of the contest. Playing extremely good at the defensive end of the ice, the ‘Blades would keep Jacksonville off the scoreboard for the entire third period. Adding an empty net tally from John McCarron late in the contest, the ‘Blades would cruise to a major 5-2 victory.

Callum Booth made some huge saves in goal for the Everblades Friday night and earns the win after stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced. Austin Lotz suffers the loss in goal for Jacksonville after allowing four goals on 27 shots.

The Florida Everblades will once again faceoff against the rival Jacksonville Icemen tomorrow night at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans can catch the game broadcast online at the 99.3 ESPN Radio Online Stream by CLICKING HERE. Fans can also watch the game online at ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & EventsMonday,  March 12, Full Team Event at Il Primo Pizza & Wings, 6:00-7:00 p.m.  The full Everblades team will be on hand signing autographs and will be available for photos.  The Guns 'N Hoses jersey design will also be unveiled.  So join us for good times and great food at Il Primo Pizza & Wings, located at 13401 Summerlin Road, #110, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Friday,  March 16, vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pubwith the purchase of an adult entree!  Fans can also enjoy bottomless all-you-can-eat popcorn from the concession stands all night long!

Saturday,  March 17, vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m. Annual Guns 'n Hoses game!  The team will wear special police and fire fighter themed jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game to benefit MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association).  In addition, local police and fire fighters will do battle on the ice beginning at 4:15 p.m.

Try Goalie Day also takes place on March 17 from 12;30-2:30 p.m. on the main rink at Germain Arena.  This FREE event is open to youth hockey players aged 5-13 interested in the opportunity to try playing goalie.  Everblades Goaltending Coach Josh Robinson in conjunction with Phil Osaer with USA Hockey will be hosting the event for interested youth players to have fun and give the goalie position a try. Goalie equipment will be provided, but interested players should bring their own hockey equipment and skates.

Ticket Information

Purchase Single Game Tickets at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online via Ticketmaster by CLICKING HERE

2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  Flexible partial plans are available. These packages will best fit your schedule and budget!  To view pricing and benefits of all available ticket packages CLICK HERE

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2017-18 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage!

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price!  Group tickets are available for all home games. Fundraising opportunities are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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