ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades received third period tallies from Michael Ferrantino and Brant Harris to slip past the Manchester Monarchs by a score of 3-2 Saturday night at Germain Arena. The Everblades (23-7-1-2, 49 points) took all three games on the week against Manchester (21-10-1-2, 45 points).
The Monarchs opened the game with a physical presence and struck first at 11:37 of the first period when Teddy Doherty delivered a shot from the left wing circle that deflected off teammate Joe Diamond and clipped into the net past Florida goaltender Anthony Peters. The Monarchs took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Florida netted the equalizer at 8:12 of the middle frame when Evan Bloodoff skated into the zone on the right wing and cut to the slot. Bloodoff hurled a wrist shot that ripped past the glove of Manchester goaltender Jonah Imoo to even the game at 1-1.
The Everblades grabbed the lead at the 8:30 mark of the third when rookie forward Michael Ferrantino executed a highlight reel goal. Ferrantino buzzed into the zone on the left wing side and slid around the defender with a deke move at the circle. Ferrantino then flipped a shot from the side of the net that managed to find the top shelf for the go-ahead marker.
The Everblades found some breathing room in the final two minutes of play when Brant Harris won a race to the puck at center ice and fought off a check to create a breakaway chance. Harris broke in on goal, deked to the backhand at the top of the crease and then swung the puck around the leg of Imoo to put Florida ahead 3-1.
With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the Monarchs pulled the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker and it paid off. Kevin Morris found himself with the puck in the slot and snapped a shot from close range past Peters to pull within one. However, the Everblades held off the Monarchs in the closing seconds and earned the 3-2 victory.
Peters took the win allowing two goals on 26 shots, while Imoo took the loss allowing three goals on 26 shots faced. With a goal in the game, Brant Harris extended his point scoring streak to an impressive 12 games.
The Everblades continue the home stand next week when they play host to rival South Carolina on Wednesday (Jan. 11), Friday (Jan. 13) and Saturday (Jan. 14).
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