BLADES PILE ON SHOTS, BUT FALL IN RETURN HOME

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades torched the Savannah Ghost Pirates with a 44-31 edge in shots on goal, just three off the Blades’ season-high, but came up on the short end of a 4-1 decision Wednesday night at Hertz Arena.

The Everblades peppered Savannah goaltender Jesper Vikman with 18 shots on goal in the opening period, but it was to no avail as Alex Gilmour picked up the lone goal for the visitors at 9:39 of the frame. Despite trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes, Florida outshot the visitors 18-14.

In the middle period, the Everblades got on the board, as Logan Lambdin knotted the score at 1-1, just 24 seconds into the frame, with Cam Hausinger earning the assist. Lambdin’s goal was his seventh of the season and stretched his point streak to three games.

Before the end of the second, however, Savannah would regain the lead and take a 3-1 lead into the third period. Simon Pinard registered his team-high 13^th goal of the season at 11:45 to retake the lead, while Sebastian Vidmar followed with an insurance goal at the 17:49 mark. The Everblades owned the shot clock for the second straight period, outshooting the Ghost Pirates 14-9 to increase their edge on the night to 32-21.

Savannah’s Keltie Jeri-Leon extended the Ghost Pirates’ lead to 4-1 at 10:04 of the third.

In goal, Cam Johnson (10-7-3-0) stopped 27 shots and suffered the setback for the Everblades, while Vikman (1-0-0-0) made 43 saves and was a winner in his Savannah debut. 

The Everblades and Ghost Pirates will be back in action at Hertz Arena on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. for the second of a three-game set in Estero. This special 239 Friday is going to be a great one, as it’s Carnival Night. Fans can purchase two tickets, two cotton candies and a souvenir program for the special price of $39. On Friday, fans will also be treated to a special performance by mentalist Wayne Hoffman, while jugglers, unicyclists and stilt walkers will also be on hand.  

On Saturday, the teams will close out the series at 7:00 p.m. as TODOS Magazine presents the first-ever Hispanic Heritage Night, complete with a pregame tailgate from 5:00 to 7:00, special Hispanic themed food and drink, and the Everblades will assume the identity of “Las Tortugas,’ as they sport special themed jerseys that will be made available through auction with proceeds benefitting the Immokalee Foundation.

 Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information and to purchase tickets. 

 

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BLADES BITS

Logan Lambdin scored a second-period goal for the Blades, giving him a point for the third straight night, four points in the last five games and six points in his last seven contests.

Wednesday’s game marked the first of five consecutive games in which the Everblades will square off against the Ghost Pirates.

Despite the setback, the Blades have picked up at least one point in six of their last eight games, compiling a 5-2-1-0 mark since December 22. Savannah is 4-0-1-0 in their last five games.

Savannah evened the season series at one game apiece, as the Blades won 4-2 in Savannah on December 22. Last season, the Ghost Pirates’ inaugural campaign, Florida captured the season series 4-2-0-1. The Blades were 2-0 against Savannah at Hertz Arena a year ago.

Wednesday Night’s Scoresheet 

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