Blades spilt pair with Stingrays

ESTERO, Fla. – Despite a sub-par performance by the Florida Everblades, they split a pair of games against the Stingrays in Florida this weekend.   This divisional rivalry is the longest in Everblades history.   This is the thirteenth year between these two teams, having played each other 110 times.   The Blades hold a record of 58-37-15 against the Stingrays.
The real star this weekend was Everblades net-minder Bobby Goepfert.   He played two excellent games for the Blades giving them the potential to win both games in this set.  
FRIDAY 3/4/11 –   SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS:   3   /   FLORIDA EVERBLADES:   1    
Friday’s game was the third straight loss to the Stingrays.   The gloves came off less than two minutes into the game.   Grant McNeill (SC) and Tim Spencer (FL) tried to get their respective teams ready to roll.   The Blades were sluggish and appeared unfocused as the puck went back-and-forth.   Neither team was in control until late in the first period, when poor passing resulted in a breakaway opportunity for South Carolina.   They took advantage of the gift and got on the scoreboard with a goal at 19:31 by Rob Ricci.                          
Not much action in the second period, except for a disputed South Carolina goal.   The goal judge lit the lamp.   He felt the puck crossed the line.   However after much discussion, the officials judged “no goal”.   The Stingrays took control late when they began peppering Goepfert with continuous shots, making him look like a target in a shooting gallery.
Another giveaway by Florida led to a goal for the Rays.   Pierre-Luc O’Brien added his score to the board just 52 seconds into the period.   Mid-way through the period the Blades did hit the crossbar, but that was as close as they came until the end of the game.   After they pulled Goepfert for the extra skater, Elgin Reid fired a hard shot and finally found the back of South Carolina’s net at 19:09.   The Rays added an insurance goal by Trent Campbell at 19:44.
WIN: Shane Owen   – (7-3-2) –   27/28                                                                                                                          LOSS: Bobby Goepfert – (19-12-3) – 28/30
SATURDAY 3/5/11 –     FLORIDA EVERBLADES:   2   /     SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS:   0
Saturday’s game looked much like Friday’s.   The Blades looked flat again and five minutes into the match gloves were down again.   Florida’s Tim Spencer and South Carolina’s Joe Finley provided the entertainment early in the game.   Florida was outplayed as the Stingray’s kept them trapped in their zone most of the period.   No scoring in the first.  
The only strong player in the second period was Florida’s Bobby Goepfert .   His effort outshined all the others on both teams combined.    He was the reason the Blades had a chance to win tonight.   There was no scoring this period either.  
It looked as if this one was going to overtime, as no one was able to step up and score.   After a lack-luster game, the Blades had an epiphany and kicked into high gear sometime during the last five minutes. As fans wondered where were they the previous 115 minutes.  
Bobby Raymond fired a rocket into the South Carolina net at 17:15 to give Florida their first lead.   The Rays pulled Shane Owen for the extra skater.   A mistake by the Rays gave the Blades an opportunity to seal the deal.   Mike McKenzie had a clear view of an open net with no defense to block him.   His empty netter at 19:25 gave Florida a much needed win and earned a very deserving Bobby Goepfert his second shutout of the season.
 
WIN: Bobby Goepfert   – (20-12-3) –   28/28   (SHUT-OUT)
LOSS: Shane Owen – (7-4-2) – 21/22
   
BLADE NOTES:
(G) Jase Weslosky – received in trade from the Idaho Steelheads (for financial considerations)
(F) Jared Staal – recalled to Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
(F) Mike McKenzie – reassigned to Florida Everblades from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
(F) Alex Imbeault – reassigned to Florida Everblades from the Connecticut Whale (AHL)
(F/D) Ernie Hartlieb – reactivated for weekend games from retirement.
 
<:u2:p>Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com <:u3:p>