Slow Start Costly as Everblades Fall in Game 1

Photo Courtesy of Standout Imagery

LOVELAND, CO –  Drayson Bowman scored a goal and added an assist to guide the Colorado Eagles to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals at the Budweiser Events Center Friday night.  Colorado leads the best-of-seven series.

BOX SCORE

Watch the GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Colorado grabbed the first goal of the finals at 4:45 into the game on the power play.  Defenseman Matt Register hammered a shot at the center point that ripped into the net past a screened Martin Ouellette.

The Eagles continued to soar in the first period, outshooting the ‘Blades 17-8 in the opening frame. The continued attack paid off again with 27 seconds remaining.  Drayson Bowman skated into the zone on the right wing and snapped a shot underneath the crossbar and in, to extend the Colorado lead to 2-0 after the first period.

The Everblades completely flipped the script in the second period, outshooting the Eagles 12-2.  Florida peppered the net for Colorado goaltender Joe Cannata.  The Everblades got on the board following a turnover by the Eagles in their own end.  Sam Warning picked the pocket of the unsuspecting Eagle defenseman and circled back for a 2-on-1 scoring chance with John McCarron.  Warning called his own number and delivered a shot from the hash mark that ripped high over the shoulder of Cannata for the tally.

Florida continued to press for the remainder of the period, but could not find the tying marker as Colorado took the 2-1 lead into the second break.

Things leveled out on both sides in the third, as the two teams exchanged chances, but for the most part kept one another in check.  The tone of the period and potentially the series changed halfway through the third, when Colorado defenseman Gabriel Verpaelst delivered a punishing hit on Florida forward Michael Kirkpatrick in the open ice.  Kirkpatrick was down on the ice for nearly two minutes before being helped off the ice.  The game took a physical turn, as both teams were at each other for the remainder of the period.

As the period winded down to the closing minutes, the Everblades pulled the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker. However, Colorado’s Shawn St-Amant scored the empty-net tally to secure the 3-1 win.  The closing seconds of the game, featured additional physical scenarios, but the Eagles close the night with a 1-0 series lead.

Martin Ouellette takes the loss allowing two goals on 25 shots, while Cannata earns the win making 27 saves on 28 shots.

The two teams will meet again in Game 2 on Sunday (May 27) beginning at 9:05 p.m. Eastern time.

Game 2 Watch Party Information:  Sunday’s Game 2 will be shown at the Breakaway Sports Pub located a Germain Arena.  Both games begin at 9:05 p.m. doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for Games 3 & 4 of the series at Germain Arena are available online at Ticketmaster or at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena. Box office opens at 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p;m. on Saturday, and is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

2018 Kelly Cup Finals ScheduleAll times Eastern; Best-of-Seven Series (Colorado leads 1-0) 

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

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###