Everblades Claim Game One with 4-1 Victory Over Atlanta

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Mitchell Heard and Michael Kirkpatrick each posted three-point performances to lead the Florida Everblades to a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Gladiators in Game One of the South Division Semifinals at Germain Arena Monday evening. Florida takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

BOX SCORE

After one period of play, the two teams remained scoreless.  However, Brett Bulmer broke the scoreless tie for the Blades at 7:35 of the second period just moments after their power play ended. Mitchell Heard corralled a rebound in the right circle before sending the puck to the slot for Bulmer who whipped a shot past Vladar to give the Blades a 1-0 lead.

The Gladiators tied the game on the power play with just 1:27 to play in the second period. A scramble in front of the net for a loose puck found its way through Ouellette’s five hole off a shot from Alex Rauter.With two periods of play in the books, the Blades and Gladiators remained tied at 1-1.

Mitchell Heard regained the lead for the Everblades at 8:24 of the third period, to his team a 2-1 edge. On a seemingly harmless play, Heard crossed the blue line and stayed put above the circle with the puck. Two Florida trailers rushed into the zone causing the Gladiators defenders to drop down low. Heard then took the opportunity to wrist a shot from the point through traffic that beat Vladar low on his glove side.

Blades forward Michael Kirkpatrick took a penalty  with just six minutes to play, but it was the Blades who capitalized with a shorthanded goal from birthday boy John McCarron. From the left circle, Spencer Smallman got Vladar to bite on a fake shot attempt before he sent it across the middle of the ice to McCarron waiting for the one-timer that Vladar was unable to save. The goal gave the Blades a 3-1 lead with 5:21 to play.

The Blades found themselves on another penalty kill with just under four minutes to play after Justin Kea received a goaltender interference call after accidentally running into Vladar during a scoring chance  on a partial breakaway.   Trailing by two goals, the Gladiators pulled Vladar to set up an extra attacker while on the power play to take a 6-on-4 advantage.

On the ensuing power play, the Gladiators registered their first shot of the third period with 3:45 to play in the game. However, with 28 seconds remaining, Mitchell Heard passed the puck to Michael Kirkpatrick who sunk the empty-netter to cap off the Blades 4-1 win.

Ouellette earned the win stopping 20 of 21 shots faced, while Vladar was stellar in the loss, turning aside 45 of the 48 shots faced in the contest.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday (April 17) for Game 2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena.

2018 Playoff Tickets On Sale Now! (#1) Florida vs. (#4) Atlanta   Florida leads theBest-of-Seven Series 1-0Game 1:  Monday, April 16th – Atlanta - 1 at Florida - 4 Game 2:  Tuesday, April 17th – 7:30pm,  Germain Arena  PURCHASE TICKETSGame 3:  Thursday, April 19th – 7:35pm, Infinite Energy ArenaGame 4:  Friday, April 20th – 7:35pm, Infinite Energy ArenaGame 5:  Sunday, April 22nd – 2:05pm, Infinite Energy Arena  (If necessary)Game 6: Tuesday, April 24th – 7:30pm – Germain Arena (If necessary)Game 7:  Wednesday, April 25th – 7:30pm – Germain Arena (If necessary)

Ticket Information

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.

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

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