EVERBLADES START 2023 WITH CLOSE LOSS TO GREENVILLE

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades couldn’t complete the comeback on Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Hertz Arena.

Joe Pendenza and Jake Smith scored to drag the Everblades back to even after the Swamp Rabbits took a 2-0 lead late in the second period, but Tanner Eberle scored with 3:16 remaining in the game to get the win.

This is the first loss Florida has suffered in regulation against Greenville this season. Florida is now 2-1-1-0 against the Swamp Rabbits this year.

Thanks to Smith, the Everblades have power play goals in three straight games. Florida was also perfect on the PK, stonewalling Greenville on both of their attempts.

Florida will next see the Swamp Rabbits on January 13 when they are in Greenville in the second of a four-game road trip.

Next up for the Everblades is a home-and-home series with the Orlando Solar Bears. The teams will lock horns Friday, January 6 in Orlando before shifting to Hertz Arena on Saturday, January 7. Both contests are slated for 7:00 p.m. puck drops.

SCORING SUMMARY – Click for full box score   1st PeriodNo Scoring2nd Period12:33 Greenville A. Ierullo 14 (Unassisted)16:25 Greenville E. Somoza 6 (D. Gerads)19:08 Florida J. Pendenza 7 PP (L. Kälble)3rd Period11:57 Florida J. Smith 11 PP (L. Kälble, J. Pendenza)16:24 Greenville T. Eberle 11 (B. McManus, T. Inamoto)GOALTENDERSGreenville – Ryan Bednard 23 SavesFlorida – Cam Johnson 20 Saves; Brody Claeys 3 SavesTEAM STATISTICSShots on Goal – Greenville 26, Florida 25Power Plays – Greenville 0-2, Florida 2-4Shorthanded Goals – Greenville 0, Florida 0Penalties (Minutes) – Greenville 6 (12), Florida 4 (8)

NEWS AND NOTES 

• After missing last Friday’s 6-3 win over Orlando, Joe Pendenza returned to the Everblades’ lineup in style, scoring Florida’s fifth power play goal in the last three games. Pendenza, who also picked up an assist, has scored goals in his last two games, while tallying at least one point in nine of the 11 games he has played in December and January.
• Jake Smith’s equalizer in the third period was his first goal since December 21, but extended his point streak to three games. The power-play goal was Smith’s fifth of the season and fourth as an Everblade, and gave Florida six man-up goals in three games. 
• Lukas Kälble registered his third two-assist performance of the season. 
• Brody Claeys came in to relieve ECHL All-Star Cam Johnson at the start of the third period, making his third appearance in goal for the Everblades this season. Johnson (13-4-3-1) made 20 saves in 40 minutes of action. Claeys registered three saves in a relief role.
• Nathan Staios appeared in his first game since November 16. Two of his three points this season have come against Greenville.

NEXT GAME 

After a quick trip to Orlando to face the Solar Bears on Friday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m., the Everblades and Solar Bears will square off on at Hertz Arena on Saturday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m.

At Saturday’s game, the Everblades will host a special First Responders Night. The Blades and our fans will honor the first responders that work day and night. Blades players will don specialty first responders’ jerseys, presented by WestShore OMS Specialists, and proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. We will also have live music at our Saturday Tailgate Party!

Be sure and catch all the action on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or Mixlr at https://everblades.mixlr.com.

JOIN THE FUN

Purchase a new Voucher 12 package that allows you to use 12 tickets in any quantity during the 2022-23 season to earn the exclusive benefits of being a Blades 365 Member! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more!Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com. 

Stay up to date by following the Florida Everblades on Social Media with all the latest news, scores and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok and Twitter. 

The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.

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