ESTERO, Fl – The Florida Everblades continue their road trip in the frosty north with stops in New York and Pennsylvania. FRIDAY, January 8th, 2010, at First Arena in Elmira, NY. Elmira 3 – Florida 1 This game was only the second meeting in team history between the Elmira Jackals and the Florida Everblades. The Blades got off to an early lead in the first period at 6:10, as A.J. Thelen sped out of the penalty box and took a pass from Ross Carlson. Thelen capitalized on the opportunity and the Blades led at the end of the first by a score of 1-0. The Jackals changed goaltenders from Andy Chiodo to Julien Ellis in the second period. Former Blade, Yannick Tifu, opened the scoring for the Jackals at just 1:09 into the period. Elmira then took the lead, when Mike Sgori took advantage of a puck bounding off a Blades player, landing it in the net behind Beckford-Tseu at the thirteen minute mark. There was some scuffling and fighting leading to Elmira’s Brett Gallant getting accessed a game misconduct for “abuse of officials” after a simple roughing penalty. Elmira led after the second period 2-1. An errant play earned Florida a bench penalty for “too many men on the ice” at the end of the third period, thereby negating any real chance of winning. With two extra men on the ice, the Jackal’s Tifu scored again, this time into the empty Blades net at 19:33 to seal the deal. Elmira won 3-1. SATURDAY, January 9th, 2010, at First Arena in Elmira, NY. Elmira 5 – Florida 4 in a Shootout The first period was all Elmira, as they lit the lamp twice to take a 2-0 lead into the break. A power play goal at 11:21 and an even-strength goal at 19:09 got the New York fans cheering and the Blades rethinking their strategy. After losing last evening to the Jackals a change was in order. The second period saw Florida changing out goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu for Mike Morrison. The two teams then combined for a wild period, scoring a total of four goals; two for each team. Florida’s Matthieu Roy scored for Florida at 2:47, edging the Blades closer to the Jackals. Elmira scored twice to extend their lead to 4-1. But Florida regained their composure and added a power play goal by veteran Paul Healey at 11:27. As in last night’s second period, the fists flew again tonight, resulting in two game misconduct penalties for the Jackals; Brennan Turner for unsportsmanlike conduct and Joe Grimaldi received a fighting major, aggressor. Elmira led at the break 4-2. The Blades took control and did the only scoring in the third. Colin Nicolson scored at 13:37 and Matthieu Roy scored at the 17:35 mark to even out the score. Former Blade, Yannick Tifu, had four points during the game. The game moved to overtime, but remained scoreless. The shootout lasted eight rounds, but Elmira hung on and won the game 5-4. Sunday, January 10, 2010, at Sovereign Center in Reading, PA. Reading 7 – Florida 3 This was Florida’s third consecutive game on the road. They came out looking strong, but allowed goals by Reading’s Ryan Cruthers, Jimmy Fraiser and Olivier Labelle before the end of the first period. Chris Beckford-Tseu was called over to relieve Blades goaltender Mike Morrison. Reading led 3-0 at the first break. Mike Morrison returned to Florida’s net at the start of the second. Reading’s Cruthers scored again extending their lead to 4-0. The Blades finally made their start with a goal by Elgin Reid at 2:49. Cruthers was hungry and on his mark tonight. He once again pushed the lead ahead 5-1 with a hat trick mid-period. The score remained 5-1 going into the third period. The Royals added another to make it 6-1. Florida’s Brad Zanon got his first goal of the season, a power play, at 12:17. Then just 39 seconds later, Reading’s Frasier scored again on the breakaway, updating the score to 7-2. The Blades scored the last goal of the evening, one by Ryan Lang at 17:12. Reading controlled most of the game and won the contest 7-3. PLAYER MOVES: Chris Capraro (forward) – to Florida (trade completion)– from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) A.J Thelen (defense) – returns to Florida – from the Rochester Americans (AHL) Chris Beckford-Tseu (goal) – returns to Florida – form the Rochester Americans (AHL) Ryan Van Buskirk (defense) – signed by Florida – (has played for Florida previously in 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08 and one game in 2009-10) Brandon Buck (forward) – from Florida – recalled to the Houston Aeros (AHL) Florida ’s next game: Wednesday night, January 13th, in Reading against the Royals. Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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