ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades were victorious Saturday night taking down the Savannah Ghost Pirates 4-1 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Savannah Ghost Pirates in front of 5,863 fans at Hertz Arena.

Kyle Betts wasted little time opening the scoring for the hosts striking 3:27 into the contest 52 seconds after Florida was gifted an early power play.  The Everblades continued their early pressure delivering the first 14 shots of the night, but Vinnie Purpura provided a lifeline for his side keeping it a one-goal game. 

Despite being heavily outshot to begin the night, Savannah found their game late in the frame battling back to tie the game.  A successful breakout from the Ghost Pirates set up a chance for the visitors as Nicholas Zabaneh cut the seam for Matt Koopman who deposited the first playoff goal in franchise history for Savannah with 14 seconds remaining in the frame.

Florida controlled the pace of play to open the game outshooting Savannah 14-5 however the score was deadlock one aside heading into the first intermission. 

Both sides traded chances early in the second period, but both goaltenders stood tall to keep the game tied. Jesse Lansdell broke the tie at the 6:44 mark redirecting a point shot from Zach Berzolla on a delayed penalty. A delay of game from Liam Walsh moments later put Savannah on the penalty kill, however the Ghost Pirates efforts shorthanded were successful to keep it a one-goal game. The visitors pressured while down a skater as Reece Vitelli generated a chance off a zone entry, but Johnson was equal to the challenge. 

50 seconds after Walsh’s penalty expired Noah Carroll was whistled for tripping sending Savannah back to the penalty kill. Florida took advantage on their third man advantage opportunity as Carson Gicewicz’s tally stood after a review with a collision at the net front. 

The Everblades continued to pepper the Savannah netminder firing 18 shots throughout a fast-paced middle stanza outshooting the visitors 18-12 in the second period.

Cam Johnson was sharp over the final 40 minutes turning away the final 21 shots he faced to earn the victory. Anthony Romano delivered the final dagger spotting an empty net goal with 1:35 remaining before a fracas ensued after the whistle ending the night for Phip Waugh giving Florida a power play to close out Game 2. 

Brad Ralph’s group will look to take full control of the series in Savannah when the puck drops Wednesday April 29 at Enmarket Arena for a 7:00 p.m. faceoff. 

Game Sheet

Blades Bites

Cam Johnson made his 80^th appearance for Florida in the postseason tonight earning his 58^th career playoff victory making 25 saves.

Oliver Cooper has recorded three points over the first two games of the series.

Florida finished 1-for-5 on the power play and was a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

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