Smallman Strikes Twice as 'Blades Earn 5-1 Win Over Norfolk

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Bires

Written by Keaton Hanley 

ESTERO, FL – Spencer Smallman recorded the first two goals of his career to lead the Florida Everblades to a 5-1 victory over the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night at Germain Arena.  Florida maintains first place in the South Division.

Coming off a penalty kill the Admirals got on the board first at 5:26 of the first period. Patrick D’Amico walked in on the left side and ripped a shot from inside the circle that beat Callum Booth’s glove for the opening goal of the game.

The Blades answered right back to the tie the game just 51 seconds later. Spencer Smallman scored his first professional goal for the Blades to tie the game as he tipped a Matt McKenzie’s shot from the boards following a faceoff win from Michael Kirkpatrick.

The Blades took the lead with a shorthanded goal at 12:14 on an incredible sequence started by Steven Lorentz in the Blades end of the ice.  Lorentz stripped a Norfolk defender of the puck at the blue line and darted the other way down the middle of the ice.  Lorentz entered the zone with a Norfolk defender right on his trail but he was accompanied by John McCarron who he dropped the puck to for the chip in over Reichenbach’s shoulder. McCarron’s goal was his fifth shorthanded goal of the season.

The Blades quickly added to the lead just 53 seconds later with Spencer Smallman’s second of the night. Michael Kirkpatrick stole the puck away in the Norfolk end and sped up the left side boards and dropped a pass to Brett Bulmer who found Smallman cutting across the left side circle down low.  Smallman took the pass across the crease and out-waited Reichenbach to lift the puck in and make it a 3-1 game.

Florida brought an abundance of sustained pressure in the second period and outshot the Admirals 20-6.  The Blades forced a turnover that finally found its way into the back of the net for the fourth tally of the night. Brett Bulmer got a shot off from the point that bounced around in front before Justin Kea was able to bat it to the back of the net from behind an out of position Reichenbach.

Though that was the only goal of the period, so the Blades took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.

Logan Roe made it 5-1 for the Blades early in the third. Matt Berry sent a pass to Logan Roe for the one timer low on the right side circle to beat Reichenbach’s glove side.

Two penalties to the Blades landed them on a 5-on-3 with a little over four minutes to play. The Blades completed the penalty kill and kept their 5-1 lead that turned into a 5-1 victory as time expired.

Game Notes:  Rookie forward Spencer Smallman tallied goals one and two of his professional career as he picked up points in his sixth straight game; Steven Lorentz had another huge night for the Blades as he was all over the Admirals defensively and picked up two assists due to his heavy forecheck. Callum Booth was credited with the win for the Blades, his 18th of the season, stopping 27 of the 28 shots fired his way. Despite the win, both Mitchell Heard’s eleven-game point streak (22 points) and Stephen MacAulay’s eight-game point streak (11 pts) were snapped.

The Everblades will continue their homestand on Wednesday (March 28) against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:30 p.m. The game will mark the final $2 Wednesday of the season.  Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, beer and wine.

Upcoming Home Games & EventsWednesday,  March 28, vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m. $2 Wednesday! Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, beer and wine!  College students receive a $5 ticket w/ valid college ID!

Friday,  March 30, vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m. Laces of Love Night! Fans are asked to bring a new pair of tennis shoes or sneakers to donate to needy teenagers and children in our area! Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree.  Fans can enjoy bottomless all-you-can-eat popcorn all night long!

Saturday,  March 31, vs. Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. Bring your dog to the game for just $10, for Pucks & Paws Night presented by Shoppes of Estero Animal Hospital!  A portion of the dog fee will be donated to local animal causes. Fans can also purchase discounted fundraising tickets for $15, with $5 of each ticket purchased being donated to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE. The night is also Princess & Pirates night! 

Ticket Information

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

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

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###