Lambdin's Pair of Goals Exorcise Ghost Pirates

ESTERO, Fla. – Logan Lambdin scored the first goal of the game– and more importantly, the last goal of the game – to lift the Florida Everblades to a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 overtime victory over the Savannah Ghost Pirates Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. The win gave the Everblades a much-needed two points as they moved into third place in the tight ECHL South Division with 11 regular-season games left on the docket. 

The newest division rivals traded first-period goals, playing to a 1-1 deadlock after the opening 20 minutes. Lambdin got the Everblades started quickly, burying his 15^th goal of the season from Savannah’s doorstep at 4:48 of the opening frame, with Zach Uens and Sean Josling earning the helpers. Unfortunately for the Blades, Brandon Estes tied the contest for the Ghost Pirates at 1-1 with a strike at the 10:12 mark.

In the second, Florida survived Savannah skating with a 5-on-3 advantage in the period’s opening minutes – almost converting a shorthanded breakaway opportunity during that stretch – but the Ghost Pirates’ Matthew Boudens eventually snapped the 1-1 deadlock at 8:45 into the middle period to give Savannah its first lead of the night, 2-1.

With under three seconds remaining on the clock in the second period, the Blades would get the long-awaited equalizer as Oliver Chau tipped in a blast by Jordan Sambrook from the blue line for his 23^rd goal of the year, with Josling also picking up his second helper of the night as Florida knotted the game at 2-2.

Both defenses tightened up during a scoreless third period, as each team mustered just six shots on goal in the final frame, after the Everblades outshot Savannah 23-21 over the first two periods.

Just 2:07 into the overtime session, Lambdin took a feed from the red-hot Will Reilly, broke through the Savannah defense and potted the game-winner with his second goal of the night and 16^th of the season to seal the victory.

Blades goaltender Evan Cormier (9-6-3-0) stopped 27 of 29 shots and earned the win, while hard-luck loser Jordan Papirny (5-5-2-0) also made 27 saves for Savannah.

The Everblades and Ghost Pirates continue their three-game series on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively. A busy Friday night features a Straw Hat Giveaway courtesy of Lexus, Country Night with music by Honky Tonk Sideshow, as well as our next 239 Friday. For the low price of $39, fans can purchase two tickets, two bourbon and Cokes, and one program. 

On Saturday, the full slate of promotional activities continues. Join us for Blackout Night, and in addition, there will be a special tailgate party with live music and bounce houses, as well as specialty Blackout Night jerseys to benefit the Passion Foundation with game-worn jerseys available to be bid on via the Dash Auction App. Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information and to purchase tickets. 
 

---

BLADES BITS

Scoring the Everblades’ first goal of the night, Logan Lambdin registered at least one goal for the third time in five games, while Sean Josling picked up an assist for the third straight contest – he would later add a second helper – while Zach Uens also notched an assist for the second time in three games.

Oliver Chau’s 23^rd goal of the year in the waning seconds of the middle frame matched Joe Pendenza for the team lead. For Chau, it was the third time this season he has scored in three consecutive games and gave him a goal in six of the last seven contests. Josling picked his second apple of the game.

In seven games, Chau has eight points on six goals and two assists. The second-year pro is one point shy of his first 50-point season. 

The Everblades are 6-2-1-0 versus the Ghost Pirates, including a 3-1-0-0 mark at Hertz Arena. Five of the first eight meetings have been played in Savannah. Following the current three-game series in Estero, the rivals will square off one more time in the Peachtree State on Saturday, April 6.

Will Reilly remained hot with a team-high 12 points in 10 March contests (2 G, 10 A). Reilly’s 12 points in March leads all ECHL defensemen.

Wednesday Night’s Scoresheet 

   ---

JOIN THE FUN 

The 2023-24 season ticket plans are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2023-24 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! 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 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, or online at espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com. Stay up to date by following the Blades on social media with all the latest news, scores, and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.