JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Cole Moberg’s second of the season fueled the comeback victory Thursday night over Jacksonville 3-2 in overtime.

Anthony Romano opened the scoring late in the first period on the power play to give the Florida Everblades a 1–0 lead in an otherwise evenly played opening frame. Jacksonville generated early pressure but could not solve Cam Johnson, who kept the Icemen off the board. 

Florida nearly struck first on an early zone entry as Logan Lambdin set up Isaac Nurse with a cross-ice feed, but Topias Leinonen sprawled out to deny the chance. Both sides traded opportunities late in the period, including a shot from Jett Jones that rang the iron, while Logan Cockerill forced a turnover for Jacksonville but was turned aside by an outstretched Johnson.

A late power play proved to be the difference, as Romano buried a long-range shot 20 seconds into the man advantage for his 22nd goal of the season. Johnson stopped all eight shots he faced in the period, while Leinonen turned aside 12 of 13.

Jacksonville responded in the second period, as Jake Pietila scored late in the frame to even the game at one. Florida controlled the pace early, generating several quality chances but could not solve Topias Leinonen, who stood tall in net for the Icemen. 

The Everblades had an opportunity to extend their lead early in the period after Peter Tischke was whistled for high-sticking, but the visitors could not capitalize. Jesse Lansdell was later denied on a point-blank chance, while Jordan Bouquot rang a shot off the post on a breakaway midway through the frame.

Jacksonville gained momentum late, recording five of the final six shots of the period before Pietila converted from in front for his fourth of the season. Cam Johnson stopped 11 of 12 shots during a busy second period, while Leinonen turned aside all seven Florida attempts setting up a decisive third period. 

Florida successfully killed off the remaining 40 seconds of Jacksonville’s carryover power play to begin the third period but was later assessed a hooking penalty, and David Jankowski capitalized to give the Icemen a 2–1 lead with his sixth goal of the season. 

Moments later, Adam McMaster nearly extended the advantage, but Cam Johnson came up with a critical stop to keep Florida within one. The Everblades answered at the 10:47 mark, as Ross MacDougall drifted home a shot from the right point for his second of the season to even the game.

A tripping penalty to Patrick Bajkov with under eight minutes remaining gave Florida a chance to regain the lead, but the Everblades could not capitalize despite sustained zone time. Jacksonville amplified their pressure late in the frame firing each of the final six shots however Johnson shined down the stretch sending the game to overtime. 

Cole Moberg called game 1:29 into overtime blasting home a shot from the top of the right circle to give Florida the extra point. 

Game Sheet

Blades Bites

Anthony Romano tied Craig Needham for the team lead in goals with 22.

Florida has now scored power play goals in back-to-back games. 

The Everblades magic number to clinch the South Division title is down to five points after taking down Jacksonville and South Carolina’s loss to Orlando with six games remaining. 

Brad Ralph’s group is 3-2 in one-goal games this season against the Icemen including a 2-1 mark in overtime decisions. 

Florida is now 6-6 in games decided by overtime this season.

Moberg has points in five straight games. 

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