Big Second Period Brings Blades Back to Win Column

ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (33-14-0-2) turned in a 4-1 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (21-15-9-3) on Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. The Blades scored three goals in the second period to take control of the game, and Joe Pendenza netted his 12th and 13th tallies of the season. 

FIRST STAR: Joe Pendenza (FLA) - two goals, two shots, +2

SECOND STAR: Myles Powell (FLA) - one goal, two shots, +1

THIRD STAR: Alex Kile (FLA) - one goal, two shots, +1

BOX SCORE

The Everblades pulled out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Joe Pendenza buried a Cole Sanford rebound (13:27). Florida won possession after a hard forecheck, and Pedenza swatted Sanford’s rebound into the net from middair.   

Five and a half minutes into the second period, Myles Powell rifled a shot past Greenville goaltender John Lethemon to give Florida a 2-0 lead (5:33). 

Florida built an even larger lead with just over two minutes left in the second. Alex Kile exploded up the middle on a breakaway and yanked the puck to his backhand to lift it past Lethemon (17:47). Kile’s 16th goal of the season gave the Blades a 3-0 lead and tied the forward’s career high. 

The goals kept coming late in the second, and the Everblades took a 4-0 hold of the game on a shorthanded goal from Pendenza (18:48). With Greenville on a power play, Lethemon wandered out of the crease to play the puck in the Swamp Rabbits zone. Hugo Roy got to the disc first and fed Pendenza in front of the net for Florida’s fourth goal of the night. Pendenza now leads the ECHL with four shorthanded goals on the season, and the Everblades pace the league with 13 shorthanded tallies as a team.

Greenville’s Liam Pecararo broke the shutout for Florida goaltender Jake Hildebrand with a wrist shot late in the third period (15:14). Hildebrand earned his 17th win of the season with 25 saves on 26 shots.

The Everblades square off against the Swamp Rabbits again at Hertz Arena on Friday, Apr. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy 239 Fridays! Get two premium seats, two Labatt Blue beers, and two autographed programs for only $39! Take advantage of the 239 Fridays online only offer at FloridaEverblades.com/239. Kids 12 and under eat free with purchase of an adult entree at Breakaway Sports Pub, located inside Hertz Arena. Find tickets for the game on Apr. 16HERE.

The week wraps up on Saturday, Apr. 17 when the Blades take on the Swamp Rabbits at 7:00 p.m. at Hertz Arena. Saturday is Nickelodeon Night presented by the Animal Refuge Center. The Blades will wear specialty jerseys themed after the hit Nickelodeon show, PAW Patrol! The jersey auction proceeds will be donated to the Animal Refuge Center. Download the DASH Auction App to bid on the jerseys and bid HERE! All the fun starts early with the Saturday Tailgate Party! Enjoy free Live Music from Rob Ziruolo outside Hertz Arena before the game from 5:00-7:00 p.m.! Find tickets to the game on Apr. 17HERE. 

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

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