Eagles Force a Decisive Game 7 at Germain Arena with 4-2 Win

Photo Credit:  Standout Imagery

Written by Keaton Hanley

LOVELAND, CO – Michael Joly scored two goals and added an assist to guide the Colorado Eagles to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 6 of the Kelly Cup Finals played at the Budweiser Events Center Wednesday night. The series is now tied at 3-3, which forces a decisive Game 7 at Germain Arena this Saturday night (June 9). Game time is 7:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE

The Eagles got on the board first a 4:34 of the opening period. The ‘Blades made an errant clear in their own end and the Eagles made them pay for the mistake as Chase Norrish took a shot from just below the blue line and Ryan Harrison picked up the rebound and put it past Ouellette to make it a 1-0 game early.

The Everblades answered back at 7:58 with a goal of their own from Joe Cox. The play started in the Florida end as Cox made a great individual play to knock the puck towards the middle of the ice, and then preceded to turn on the after burners as he burst down on a breakaway opportunity.  Cox delivered a few quick deke moves to make Joe Cannata go spread-Eagle, before tucking the puck around the outstretched pad to tie the game at 1-1.

The Everblades gave up a goal with 24.5 seconds to play in the period on a turnover in the Colorado end.  Steven Lorentz tried to find a man in the slot, but instead found Eagles forward Michael Joly who darted the other way.  Zack Kamrass kept pace initially on the break, but as Joly crossed the blue line, he pulled away and shot the puck under Ouellette’s blocker to make it 2-1 just before the first break.

The Eagles added to their lead at 8:13 of the second period.  Following a delayed penalty,  Jake Marto danced through the slot and to the right wing circle.  Marto flipped a shot past high Martin Ouellette’s glove side, making it a 3-1 game midway through the second period.

Florida fell victim to Colorado’s neutral zone trap and untimely penalties for a majority of the second period.  The chances the Blades did have in the  period came on their two power plays, but could not get the puck past Cannata which kept the score at 3-1 at the second intermission.

In terms of 5-on-5 play, the third period featured the best scoring opportunities for the Everblades.  The chances were there, but the ‘Blades couldn’t find any puck luck. Brett Bulmer came close to bringing Florida within one goal with 2:25 to play, when he shot a rebound that squirted out to him from of the crease. However, Cannata pounced on it as Bulmer had just gotten his stick on it.

Florida pulled Ouellette to set up the extra attacker, but the Eagles added another tally to put the game on ice as Joly (2G, 1A) capped off his three-point performance with an empty-netter from down in the Eagles end.

Justin Kea scored late with 33.6 to play on a great individual effort.  Kea entered the zone and walked in behind a defender and lifted the puck over Cannata to make it 4-2. The goal extended Kea’s goal scoring streak to three games.

The goal came too late for the ‘Blades to orchestrate a rally, but it did provide some momentum for the team to build on entering Saturday’s Game Seven at Germain Arena.

Martin Ouellette takes the loss allowing three goals on 33 shots, while Cannata earns the win making 26 saves on 29 shots faced.

GAME  7 TICKET INFORMATION:   A decisive Game 7 will take place at Germain Arena this Saturday (June 9) with a 7:00 p.m. start time.  Tickets are available online courtesy of Ticketmaster.  Tickets may also be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena.  Box office hours are Monday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. thru the start of game time.   Due to increase traffic expected for the game, fans are encouraged to allow for extra time for arrival at the arena.

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2018 Kelly Cup Finals ScheduleAll times Eastern; Best-of-Seven Series (Series tied 3-3) 

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 - 6 at FLORIDA - 7 (OT)Game 5:  Saturday, June 2, Colorado - 0 at FLORIDA - 5 Game 6:  Wednesday, June 6, Florida - 2 at COLORADO - 4 Game 7:  Saturday, June 9, Colorado at Florida,  7:00 p.m. (Germain Arena) PURCHASE TICKETS

——–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###