Eagles Soar to 5-4 Overtime Victory in Game 3

Kevin Bires Photography 

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Ryan Olsen scored the tying and overtime winning goals to help the Colorado Eagles soar to a 5-4 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Finals at Germain Arena Wednesday night.  The Eagles lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

BOX SCORE

The ‘Blades grabbed the lead early after the Eagles found themselves on a 5-on-3 penalty kill just minutes into the game. Matt McKenzie fired a bomb from the point that beat Cannata on the glove side at 3:09 of the first period.

The Eagles answered back just 44 seconds later while still shorthanded, as Matt Garbowsky stole the puck from a Florida defender in front of the net and made a quick move before sliding it high past Ouellette to tie it at one.

The Eagles took a 2-1 lead at 13:14 of the period while on a 5-on-3 power play of their own. The goal came off the dangerous stick of Michael Joly on a wrist shot through traffic from the right side circle that beat a screened Ouellette.

On the 5-on-4 portion of the power play, the Eagles extended their lead to 3-1. Travis Barron knuckled a shot from the point through traffic and it flipped in over the glove of Ouellette for the tally.

The ‘Blades brought the game within one goal with four minutes to play in the first period, as Brett Bulmer put on a show, as he caught the puck on his stick in midair and placed it on the ice. Following a spin move, Bulmer fired a shot while turning and beat Cannata down low to make it 3-2.

Florida tied the game at 3-3 just moments before the intermission with just 11.5 seconds to play in the period. John McCarron scored the goal for the Everblades as he had set up camp in front of Cannata.  Clark Seymour fired a shot from the point and McCarron redirected the shot into the top shelf over the glove of Cannata.

At 2:51 into the second period, Dave Dziurzynski received a four-minute double minor for high-sticking. Florida took advantage of the open ice on the power play when Spencer Smallman stole the puck in his own end and churned the other way on a 2-on-1 with Stephen MacAulay.  As they neared the net, Smallman sent it past a diving Colorado defenseman to MacAulay who ripped it past the glove of Cannata to give the Blades a 4-3 lead. The ‘Blades took the one-goal edge into the second break.

The Eagles controlled the tempo in the third period and eventually tied it up with 9:10 to play in regulation.  The goal came off a stick deflection by Ryan Olsen from a Gabriel Verpaelst shot. Olsen swatted high at the puck and smacked it into the net.  After a lengthy discussion between the refs and linesmen about whether or not the puck was hit in with a high stick, it was determined it was a good goal.

The tying marker would be enough to send the two teams into sudden death overtime.  Just 7:14 into overtime, the Eagles capitalized on a turnover in the ‘Blades end and snuck a pass low at the crease to Olsen who steered the puck off the inside of Ouellette’s pad and into the net for the game-winner to seal a 5-4 Game 3 victory for the Eagles.   Olsen finished the game with the tying goal and overtime winner.

Cannata earns the win turning aside 30 of 34 shots, while Ouellette takes the loss allowing five goals on 33 shots faced.

The two teams will meet again this Friday (June 1) for Game 4 of the series at Germain Arena.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.  Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entrée.  Broadcast Information:  Friday’s Game 4 will air on 99.3 FM ESPN Radio, or online by CLICKING HERE.

Tickets for Friday's Game 4, or Saturday's Game 5 may be purchased online at Ticketmaster, or at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena.  Box office hours are Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the start of game.

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2018 Kelly Cup Finals ScheduleAll times Eastern; Best-of-Seven Series (Colorado Leads 2-1) 

Game 1:  Friday, May 25, Florida - 1 at COLORADO - 3Game 2:  Sunday, May 27, FLORIDA - 4 at Colorado - 3Game 3:  Wednesday, May 30, COLORADO - 5 at Florida - 4 (OT)Game 4:  Friday, June 1, Colorado at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Germain Arena) PURCHASE TICKETSGame 5:  Saturday, June 2, Colorado at Florida 7:00 p.m. (Germain Arena) PURCHASE TICKETSGame 6:  Wednesday, June 6, Florida at Colorado, 9:05 p.m. (Budweiser Events Center)**Game 7:  Saturday, June 9, Colorado at Florida,  7:00 p.m. (Germain Arena)**** If Necessary

——–Ticket Information

2018-19 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  Full season as well as 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 Playoff 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###