ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades opened their 12th season on the road, hosted by the Toledo Walleye at Lucas County Arena in Toledo, Ohio. Their first, and only, meeting this season consisted of a rare three game set. With six points up for grabs the play was important for each team in getting off to a quick start this season.
FRIDAY, October 16th ( Florida – 2 / Toledo – 1 )– The Everblades took control early in the game and never gave up the lead. The Blades scored on a power play goal by Scott Hotham in the first period. After a scoreless second, Florida extended their lead to two with a tally by Jacob Micflikier.
Three minutes later, Toledo scored their first and only goal. Maxime Tanguay’s score was rewarded by the fans with a pair of Walleye fish skidding across the ice. After their removal the game continued and Florida came out victorious with a 2-1 win.
SATURDAY, October 17th (Toledo – 5 / Florida – 2 ) – The Walleye decided that another loss was not acceptable in front of their second sell-out crowd at Lucas County Arena. It was time to “get even”.
Toledo opened the scoring with the first two goals by Joe Charlebois (power play) and Mark Nebus. The next two were scored by the Blades. Jordan Morrison and Brandon Buck evened the score to a tie at the end of the second period.
It was all Toledo in the third as they sped ahead and never looked back. Jaime Milan and Justin Hodgman scored on the power play. Tommy Lange added in a full-strength goal to end the game with Toledo getting the win by three.
SUNDAY, October 18th (Toledo – 4 / Florida – 3 / OVERTIME) – Florida tried to take a early lead and run with it, but it was not to be. They did open the scoring and led 2-0 at the end of the first with goals by Rob Henigan and A.J. Thelen. Thelen scored on a 5-on-3 opportunity and tallied ten shots-on-goal during the game.
Toledo scored the next three goals erasing the deficit and getting ahead by one. Dominic Osman, Jaime Milan and Adam Hodson were responsible for the momentum shift with their timely scoring.
Florida’s A.J Thelen scored his second of the night to tie the Walleye at the end of the second period. The scored stayed the same and drove the game into overtime.
The game ended after just 55 seconds of overtime when Jean-Claude Sawyer scored the game winner for the Walleye, lifting them over the Blades with a 4-3 victory.
Florida and Toledo split the series, each ending with a 1-1-1 record and three points to start the 2009-2010 ECHL season.
Florida’s home opener is this Friday, October 23rd at 7:30pm, at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. They will host rivals – The Charlotte Checkers.
Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.