Everblades Take Series Lead with 5-0 Win in Game 5

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Bires

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Martin Ouellette stopped all 24 shots faced to pace the Florida Everblades to a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Finals played at Germain Arena Saturday night.  Florida now leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.

BOX SCORE

The Everblades got on the board first at 11:41 off the stick of Stephen MacAulay. The Blades turned a quick transition from their own end and caught an Eagles’ defender behind as they went up the ice on a 2-on-1 rush. MacAulay and Michael Kirkpatrick set up a tic-tac-toe play that ended when MacAulay lifted the puck over the pad of Joe Cannata to give the Blades a 1-0 lead.

Clark Seymour added to the Florida lead with 5:04 to play in the first period. Seymour entered into the zone and took the puck to the outside of the left circle and backhanded it on net. Just how the saying goes “get the puck to the net and you never know what will happen,” the puck had fallen behind Cannata as he wasn’t secured on his left post and Justin Kea was able to whack at the puck over the line to give him his second goal in as many games to extend the Florida lead to 2-0 after one period.

Michael Kirkpatrick potted the third Florida goal of the game at 7:39 of the second period while on the power play. The ‘Blades set up in the Eagles end following a faceoff win and Matt McKenzie got the puck to Kirkpatrick at the left point.  Kirkpatrick took a couple of strides to the circle and wound up a wrist shot that he fired blocker side on Cannata for the tally. After 40 minutes of play, the Everblades went into the second intermission with a 3-0 lead.

Steven Lorentz blasted one into the back of the cage with 7:43 to play in the third period. Lorentz originally entered the zone and was hooked on a breakaway and couldn’t get all of his shot off. On the ensuing delayed penalty, Brett Bulmer sent a pass across the slot to Lorentz who teed up the one timer to laser it past the glove of Cannata to make it 4-0.

Zach Kamrass bombed another one-timer from the point with 4:36 to play to put the game out of reach. The ‘Blades closed the game out calmly while on the power play as they watched the final seconds trickle off the clock from behind their net to take the 5-0 victory and grab a 3-2 series lead.

Martin Ouellette stopped all 24 shots faced to earn his 14th win of the postseason.   Cannata take the loss allowing five goals on 26 shots.  Brett Bulmer finished with three assists in the contest, while Michael Kirkpatrick recorded a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup since suffering an injury in Game 1 of the series.

The series will now shift to the Loveland, Colorado for Game 6 to be played on Wednesday (June 6) at 9:05 p.m.  Fans can tune into the game on WJBX (101.5, 104.3, 770-AM) or online by CLICKING HERE

Game Watch Party Info:  There will be a watch party for Wednesday’s Game 6 at the Breakaway Sports Pub located at Germain Arena.  Game time is set for 9:05 p.m. and doors will open at 7:00 p.m.

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2018 Kelly Cup Finals ScheduleAll times Eastern; Best-of-Seven Series (Florida leads 3-2) 

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 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###