ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades have not played their best in 2010-2011. A lot of call-ups and injuries, as well as some issues with on-ice play, have been major interrupting factors this season. This past weekend series against fierce division rivals, the Gwinnett Gladiators, was a key to their making the playoffs for another consecutive season. There were six critical points up for grabs between the Blades and the Gladiators. The Blades showed that they were contenders again this year as they swept the three game series in Georgia. The points earned this weekend increased their lead over the Gladiators to eleven points, giving them some well needed, and deserved insurance as they head down the stretch to the play-off race. FRIDAY March 18, 2011 – EVERBLADES: 3 / GLADIATORS: 2 The Florida Everblades made a valiant effort to come from behind and grabbed a huge two-point win over the Gwinnett Gladiators in this match. The Blades gave the Gladiators the upper hand in the first period. The only scoring was by Gwinnett. Andy Brandt got them on the scoreboard first at 18:22 of the first period. Just 22 seconds later, Matt Francis found the back of Bobby Goepfert’s net from the right face-off circle. This period was all Gwinnett and they led going to the break by a score of 2-0. Florida took control during the second period with a pair of their own quick goals. Bobby Raymond converted on a power play opportunity at 9:32. Alex Imbeault added his first of two, shortly thereafter at 11:16. At the end of two the score was tied at two goals each. The rest of the game was fast and furious back and forth. While Gwinnett outshot the Blades by almost 2:1, the play in the third was pretty even with scoring opportunities. Florida closed out the Gladiators, with one of their famous come-from-behind wins with 4:13 remaining in regulation. Alex Imbeault scored his 33 goal of the season giving the Everblades the win and adding a critical two points to their standings. SATURDAY March 19, 2011 – EVERBLADES: 5 / GLADIATORS: 2 The Everblades are living up to their nickname of the “come-back kids” as they pull out another win after being down two goals. A pair of goals by Elgin Reid and Matt Beca helped to seal the victory and add another two points to their standings. A wild first period saw both teams trading a pair of goals. In similar fashion to Friday’s game, the Blades let the Gladiators take control quickly and saw themselves down by two, less than four minutes into the game. Dustin Cameron opened the scoring at 3:35. Fifteen seconds later, at 3:50, Michael Forney opened up a commanding early lead. Florida settled down, and regained their focus mid-period and added a pair of power-play goals by Matt Beca at 10:54 and 19:35. The teams went to the break tied at two. The second period only saw one goal. Elgin Reid scored his first of two tonight at 14:01 giving the Blades their first lead of the night. The scoring was all over for Gwinnett as the Blades took control and never looked back. With a one-goal lead going into the third, Alex Imbeault scored his team-leading 34 goal of the season at 5:17. He was assisted by rookie Brad Good, as he carried the puck up ice to Imbeault. Good was just leaving the box as his penalty expired. An insurance goal by Elgin Reid, his second of the night, gave Florida a commanding win. SUNDAY March 20, 2011 – EVERBLADES: 5 / GLADIATORS: 3 True to form for the Blades, this was another of their famous come-from-behind games. However, they did not let this one get too far out of reach. This was another solid team effort for the Everblades. Although Gwinnett dominated the play in the first period, they only managed to get one past returning Florida net minder, Jaroslav Janus. Mike Forney put the Gladiators on the board at 8:54. Florida came storming back in the second, outscoring Gwinnett 3-1. Brad Snetsinger tied the game just 0:28 seconds into the period. Matt Beca added a goal at 8:47. Gwinnett came back and scored on the power play with a tally by Dustin Cameron at 14:34. Florida’s Alex Imbeault posted his 35 goal at 19:28 on the power play. Gwinnett tried to make a comeback and managed to even the score at three, with Justin Milo’s goal at 2:17. The game remained tied until Mathieu Roy scored not only the winning goal at 14:37, but the insurance goal at 19:28. The Blades played well defensively and never let Carrozzi leave the net for the extra attacker. This was an excellent series for the Florida Everblades and pushed them six points further ahead of the Gwinnett Gladiators who were just behind then in the standings. BLADE NOTES: (G) Jaroslav Janus returned to the Florida Everblades after being recalled to the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) (D) Derun Cousens signed with Everblades (from Michigan Tech, USA) (D) Brad Good signed with Everblades (from Carlton University, Canada) (LW) Mitch Fadden played with the Everblades earlier this season and was the ECHL’s leading scorer at the time he was placed on medical leave. A 2007 Draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightening, McFadden recently had his contract with them terminated for violations of the standard player’s contract. (F) Dusty Collins recalled to the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) (F) Mike McKenzie recalled to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) The next Everblades game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, at Germain Arena against the Wheeling Nailors. Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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