ELMIRA, NY – Trevor Bruess scored twice, while John Muse and Pat Nagle combined for a 19-save shutout, as the Everblades defeated the Elmira Jackals 5-0 in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at First Arena Saturday night. The Blades even the series at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.
in Friday’s game, it was the Jackals who raced out to 2-0 first period lead. On Saturday, the Blades turned the table and grabbed a 2-0 lead of their own. Elmira’s Rob Bellamy was called for roughing just 39 seconds into the game. The Blades took advantage of the power as Brayden Irwin picked up his own rebound in front and wristed a shot into the net past Jackals goaltender Brian Stewart.
Florida scored its second on a 2-on-1 rush led by Cedric McNicoll. McNicoll fired a shot which was stopped off the pads of Stewart, but the rebound bounced directly to Matt Marquardt who flipped the puck into the net on the rebound to give the Blades a 2-0 lead after the first.
The Everblades continued to take control in the second, adding three more goals. Trevor Bruess made it 3-0 when he redirected a Bobby Raymond shot from the point past Stewart. Moments later, Bruess scored a on a breakaway, making a deke move and swung the puck around a sprawling Stewart for the goal. The goal chased Stewart from the game, as Timo Pielmeier came in relief.
With six seconds remaining in the second period, Cedric McNicoll centered a perfect feed in front to Leigh Salters who tapped the puck high past the glove of Pielmeier to give Florida the 5-0 lead. Moments prior to Salters goal, goaltender John Muse was shaken up and did not play in the third period.
Pat Nagle came in relief of muse in the final period of regulation stopping all eight Elmira shots to help preserve the 5-0 victory. Muse earns the win making 11 saves in two periods played, while Stewart take the loss allowing four goals on 15 shots. Peilmeier stopped 11 of 12 shots in his relief effort.
The Series now shifts to Germain Arena in Florida for Games Two, Three and, Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals next week. Game Three will take place on Monday (April 16) beginning at 7:35 p.m.
GAME NOTES: Cedric McNicoll who entered the game tied for second in scoring in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with seven points, added two assists….Elmira captain Mario Larocque was assessed a match penalty for attempt to injure at 5:04 of the second period.
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