ESTERO, Fla — A three-goal second period wasn’t enough for the Las Vegas Wranglers tonight as the team fell 4-3 to the Florida Everblades. After the first Wranglers road game of the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals, the Everblades lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Midway through the first period, Everblades defenseman Mike Ratchuk put Florida on the board with the first goal of the game. The 1-0 score held until 27 seconds into the second period when Wranglers left wing Adam Huxley tallied an early goal to tie the game. Las Vegas took their first lead of the night less than two minutes later on a goal from center Scott Campbell, who recorded his eighth postseason goal to make it a 2-1 game. Florida was quick to respond, and on the efforts of defenseman Ryan McGinnis, the Everblades knotted the game 70 seconds later at the 3:18 mark.
After three goals in three minutes, the 2-2 score held through the majority of the second until Wranglers center Judd Blackwater jammed a power play goal in on Everblades goalie John Muse to regain the 3-2 lead for Las Vegas. The Wranglers kept their one-goal lead until the last four minutes of regulation when a goal from Everblades forward Justin Shugg made it a 3-3 game. Overtime was forced, and while the Wranglers outshot the Everblades 7-6 in 13:49 minutes of overtime, a goal from Everblades left wing Matt Marquardt decided the game 4-3 for Florida. With that win, the Everblades took a 2-1 series lead in the Kelly Cup Finals.
Games 4 and 5 take place in Florida on Tuesday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 23, at 4:30 p.m. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 will return to Orleans Arena on May 25 and 26.
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