ESTERO, Fla. – Despite two goals by newly-appointed team captain Joe Pendenza, three assists from Oliver Chau, and a season-high 44 saves by Cam Johnson, the Florida Everblades came up short, falling 4-3 in a shootout to the first-place Greenville Swamp Rabbits Friday night at Hertz Arena. A sellout crowd of 6,408 lively fans witnessed the Blades pick up a point in the ECHL standings.
A wide open first period saw Greenville register the only goal of the frame as Jake Smith scored on the Swamp Rabbits’ final shot of the period to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the 16:16 mark. Despite surrendering a goal to the former Everblade, Blades netminder Johnson stopped 15 of 16 shots during a busy first 20 minutes.
In the second frame, the Blades needed just over two minutes to take a lead as Logan Lambdin and Pendenza collected early goals to put Florida on top 2-1. Lamdbin’s redirection in traffic knotted the game just 46 seconds into the period, while newly-installed captain Pendenza found the net on a blast from the left circle less than two minutes later at the 2:06 mark to put the Blades on top.
Lambdin’s eighth goal of the season came off assists by Oliver Chau and Reise Zmolek, while Pendenza’s 13th tally this year came off helpers by Chau, his second of the game, and Zach Tsekos in his return to the Everblades lineup. Johnson tacked on another 14 saves in a perfect middle frame.
Greenville managed to tie the contest at 2-2 as Anthony Beauchamp was successful of the penalty shot at 8:58 of the third period, but Pendenza regained the lead with his second goal of the evening, and 14th of the year just 36 seconds later. Chau notched his third helper of the game, while Lambdin also added an assist. The Swamp Rabbits enjoyed a power-play opportunity, including a 6-on-4 advantage, in the final three minutes, and finally broke through with a goal by Brandon McManus with 2.3 seconds left in regulation.
In the seven-minute, three-on-three overtime period, Florida outshot Greenville 5-3, but neither team was able to score.
Greenville’s Brandon McManus was the only shooter to score in the shootout, finding the net in the third round to give the Swamp Rabbits a 4-3 victory.
Johnson (12-7-3-1) registered a season-high 44 saves. Ryan Bednard (14-8-0-0) made 34 saves and earmed the victory for the Swamp Rabbits.
The Everblades and Swamp Rabbits return to the Hertz Arena ice for a 7:00 p.m. tilt on Saturday, January 27. Saturday will be a big night at Hertz Arena, as the evening starts with a pre-game tailgate party with live music, while the game will see the team decked out in specialty Affiliation Night jerseys that will be available for purchase through an online auction, with proceeds benefitting Animal Refuge Center.
Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information and to purchase tickets.