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Anchors away: Early offense helps ‘Blades to sweep of Admirals

Sunday, March 31st
Anchors away: Early offense helps ‘Blades to sweep of Admirals

ESTERO, Fla. — Alex Tonge and Sam Warning both scored twice and Jeremy Helvig made a season-high 38 saves to lift the Florida Everblades to a 6-2 win and series sweep of the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night at Hertz Arena.

BOX SCORE

In its highest-scoring game since Feb. 15, Florida (48-16-5-1, 102 pts.) tied its season-high by scoring four times on Norfolk (26-35-5-3, 60 pts.) in the first period en route to finishing March with 11 wins, a win total that tied a season-high for most wins in a month by the ‘Blades.

The 'Blades struck first at the 6:59 mark of the opening frame when Tonge was sprung on a breakaway by Phillipe Hudon. As Tonge came in alone on Admirals netminder Ty Reichenbach, he made a quick fake from his forehand to his backhand before forcing the puck along the ice past Reichenbach for the goal.

Warning extended the Everblades lead to two just one minute, 26 seconds later. Blazing into the Admirals end with numbers, Justin Auger sent a pass to Warning streaking through the slot, and Warning whipped a backhander with strength that bounced off Reichenbach and fell into the net. After missing 30 games due to an injury, Auger had the primary assist in his first game back.

Warning showcased his speed and puck control to net his second goal for the ‘Blades at 13:57 of the first. Receiving a pass in stride across the blue line from Slater Doggett, Warning blazed past a defender and lasered a shot past Reichenbach’s blocker from the bottom of the left circle.

Norfolk’s Ben Duffy broke through against Helvig with 5:25 left in the first to put the Admirals on the board.

The ‘Blades answered back 16 seconds before the end of the first period with a shorthanded marker from Josh Lammon. After stealing the puck just outside Norfolk’s blue line, Lammon made a beeline into the zone and went bar down past the glove side of Reichenbach to give Florida a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Patrick Bajkov got in on the action for the ‘Blades at the 6:34 mark of the second with his fourth goal of the year. As he skated down the left-wing wall, Grant Arnold saucered a pass over a backchecking Norfolk player’s stick to the tape of Bajkov, who twisted a wrist shot over the shoulder of Reichenbach.

Tonge scored right off an offensive zone faceoff around the halfway point of the middle stanza to earn his first career multi-goal game. Following a save by Reichenbach on Tonge’s initial chance, the rookie tracked down the rebound and slammed it past the Norfolk netminder with 10:59 to play in the second.

Alex Rodriguez notched the final goal of the night, converting on a rebound to pull the Admirals within two in the early stages of the third period.

Helvig stretched his personal unbeaten streak to nine games and earned his 26th victory of the season.

Florida continues the three-week homestand next weekend with a pair of home games to finish the regular season. The Everblades start the weekend with a Friday matchup against the Orlando Solar Bears. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Arena.

Ticket packages for the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Smile Direct Club and 2019-20 Season Tickets and Flexible Packages are on sale now! To view the 2019 Playoff Package options, savings and benefits CLICK HERE!

Join the FUN and 'Blades FAMILY by SAVING with Season Tickets or a Flexible Package that fit into your schedule and budget, plus receive FREE gifts and benefits!

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new Season Ticket or Flexible Package for the 2019-20 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades tote bag!

To view the Package options, savings and benefits CLICK HERE.

Private tours of Hertz Arena are available to select your season seats! Call the Florida Everblades Front Office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Opening Night
Friday, October 25th
Opening Night
Puck Drops:
7:30 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena
Sweets in the Suites
Saturday, October 26th
Sweets in the Suites
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena
Lee County Schools Night
Friday, November 8th
Lee County Schools Night
Puck Drops:
7:30 PM EST
Hertz Arena
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena

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