MASELLA SCORES TWO AND PENDENZA NETS GAME-WINNER TO BEAT KC

ESTERO, Fla. – Captain Ben Masella scored two of the Florida Everblades’ three second-period goals and Joe Pendenza snapped a 3-3 tie with 3:20 to play in the game, as the Blades claimed a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Mavericks Wednesday night at Hertz Arena.

Making their first appearance at Hertz Arena since 2019, the Mavericks drew first blood just 7:23 into the contest, as defenseman Tommy Muck staked the visitors to a 1-0 lead.

In a busy second period, the Everblades scored three goals to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Nathan Staios scored his second goal of the year at 7:08, as Nolan Kneen picked up his third assist in the last two games while Joe Pendenza added the secondary helper. 

After Kansas City’s Luke Stevens scored less than two minutes later, the Blades took control with two goals by Masella two minutes apart, a shorthanded tally at 16:22 and an even-strength marker at 18:34 for his fourth and fifth goals of the season. On Masella’s second goal, Carson Focht tallied an assist in his Everblades debut, joining Cam Darcy with the apples.

The Mavericks’ Cole Coskey evened the score at 3-3 with a goal at 8:51 of the third period, but Pendenza banged home a loose puck off assists by Masella and Oliver Chau for his 20th of the season at 16:40 to seal the deal for Florida.

In the streak department, the red-hot tandem of Pendenza and Chau extended their point streaks to eight games and four games, respectively. With a goal and two assists in the game, Pendenza has 13 points on six goals and seven assists during his run, while Chau picked up two assists, registering helpers for the third straight contest.

Florida outshot Kansas City 33-22 and Evan Fitzpatrick made 19 saves to earn his second-straight win, while improving to 8-3-0-0 this season.

All-time, the Everblades are now 3-0-1-1 against the Mavericks.       

After an off day on Thursday, the three-game set with the visiting Kansas City Mavericks continues Friday, Friday 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. Friday night features the always popular 239 Friday deal. Enjoy two tickets, two programs and two Rocket Racoon cocktails for just $39! For tickets, click HERE. And remember, kids eat free at Breakaway Sports Pub. For information and reservations, click HERE. 

On Saturday, come join the Marvel Universe as members of the team will be masked as a Super Hero, wearing specialty jerseys for the game! Marvel-themed intermission games and activities while we are up against the Kansas City Mavericks. There is a Marvel poster giveaway to the first 2,000 fans and we will also have live music for our Saturday Tailgate party from 5:00-7:00 p.m.! For tickets, click HERE.

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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