JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the third time in as many games, the South Division Semifinals went to overtime, and for the third time in as many games, the Florida Everblades knocked off the Jacksonville Icemen in overtime. Anton Malmström’s goal just 6:26 into the extra period sealed a 2-1 victory Wednesday night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and gave the good guys a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
As was the case in Games One and Two, the Everblades lit the lamp first, taking a 1-0 lead on Colton Hargrove’s first tally of the playoffs with just 18.6 seconds remaining in the opening period. Hargrove staked the Blades to the early lead, with Dillon Hamaliuk picking up the assist.
As was the case in each of the first two games of the series, Jacksonville picked up an equalizer, tying the game at 1-1 midway through the second period off a goal by Chris Grando at the 9:55 mark.
Florida staved off a pair of minor penalties 14 seconds apart late in the middle frame, as Jacksonville failed to capitalize on a five-on-three advantage that lasted for 1:46 until the 17:42 mark, due in large part by brilliant play in the crease by ECHL Goaltender of the Year Cam Johnson and a strong penalty killing unit in front of him. The 1-1 deadlock continued into the third period, making it three straight games this series with a tie score in the final frame of regulation.
The deadlock continued through a hard-fought, defensive third period in which shots on goal were even at just four apiece. Despite going on the power play twice in the third frame after Jacksonville was whistled for no penalties in the first two frames, the Everblades were unable to snap the deadlock. The Blades outshot the Icemen 23-22 in regulation.
In the extra period, Florida dominated the shot tally 6-1, and Malmström finally broke through – and broke the hearts of 5,832 North Florida fans – with the game winner 6:26 into bonus hockey. Oliver Chau and Kyle Betts registered the helpers.
Johnson stopped 22 of 23 shots and earned another win, while his Jacksonville counterpart Matt Vernon turned aside 27 of 29 Everblades attempts, suffering his second loss in as many starts in the series.