Everblades Fall 4-2 in Game Five; Still Lead Series 3-2

ESTERO, Fla. – Despite a pair of goals late in the second period to tie the game 2-2, the Florida Everblades came up on the short end of a 4-2 decision, as the Adirondack Thunder won Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,995 fans Saturday night at Hertz Arena. Florida still leads the series three games to two in the third round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and Scanlon Lexus.

Game Six will be played in Glens Falls, N.Y. on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The Everblades head to the Empire State with two opportunities to clinch a spot in the Kelly Cup Finals. 

After scoring just three goals in the first four games of the series, Adirondack struck twice in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Filip Engaras opened the scoring at 8:39, getting the Thunder on the board for the first time in 163:19, a scoreless string that dated back to the opening minutes of the second period in Game Two. Erik Middendorf doubled Adirondack’s lead roughly seven minutes later. The Thunder took the first eight shots of the contest and held a 13-10 edge after 20 minutes.

The second period has been the Everblades’ most productive frame throughout the entire postseason, and Saturday night’s contest was no exception. Defensemen Riese Zmolek and Cole Moberg scored goals two minutes apart late in the frame to knot the score at 2-2. Zmolek’s first career playoff goal came off a cross-ice feed from Moberg in the left circle at 16:31, while Moberg connected on a power-play snipe from the slot at 18:32 to even the game. Joe Pendenza assisted on both goals, while Logan Lambdin collected a helper on the game-tying goal. The Everblades more than tripled up Adirondack in the shot department in the second period, claiming a 19-6 edge.

Adirondack stopped the bleeding at 5:19 of the third period, as Ryan Smith scored his third goal of the series to put the Thunder in front 3-2. Smith’s team-leading ninth goal of the postseason proved to be the game-winner. The Everblades found themselves with a 6-on-4 advantage in the waning moments thanks to a delay of game penalty on Adirondack at 18:53 and an empty net, but were unable to score. An empty-net goal by Adirondack’s Tristan Ashbrook at 19:35 closed out the scoring with the Thunder on top 4-2.

Netminder Jeremy Brodeur earned the win in goal for Adirondack, making 35 saves in his first start of the series, while Cam Johnson suffered the loss for the Everblades, making 26 saves. The Blades outshot the Thunder 37-30.

With the Everblades holding a 3-2 series lead, action shifts back to Glens Falls, N.Y. The Blades will have another opportunity to wrap up a spot in the Kelly Cup Finals in Game Six, Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. If needed, Game Seven would be the following night at the same time.

Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information on the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and Scanlon Lexus and to purchase tickets for games played at Hertz Arena. 

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BLADES BITS

Both Everblades goals came from the defensive corps, as Riese Zmolek notched his first goal of the postseason and first playoff tally of his professional career, while Cole Moberg scored for the first time of the series and fifth time during the playoffs.

The Everblades have held Adirondack scoreless on 19 power play opportunities through five games in the series.

Over the postseason, Florida has scored 24 of its 46 goals – more than half – in the middle frame. 

Florida took 37 shots on goal, the team’s second highest total of the series, just shy of the 41 the Blades took in Game Two.

Saturday Night’s Scoresheet 

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