ELMIRA, NY – Mike Ferrantino scored the game-winning goal 2:03 into overtime to help lead the Florida Everblades (36-11-2-3, 77 points) to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Elmira Jackals (10-36-7-1, 28 points) Saturday night at the First Arena. The win allowed the Everblades to maintain a 12-point lead at the top of the South Division standings.
Looking to bounce back from their loss on Friday night, the Everblades came out firing to start this game. Scoring the game’s opening goal less than three minutes into the first period, Florida took advantage of a quick developing offensive rush to take the lead.
Stephen MacAuley turned the play up ice and moved his way into the attacking zone. Sending a pass across to Ferrantino, MacAuley made a darting move towards goal. After receiving a return pass from Ferrantino, MacAuley wristed his shot over the shoulder of Elmira goaltender Andy Iles and into the top corner of the net.
The Florida lead would not last for long however. Taking advantage of some lax defending, Elmira tied the game up at 1-1 midway through the opening period. Kenton Miller took his time and found an onrushing Brycen Martin in the slot. Collecting the pass, Martin wasted no time rifling his shot past Everblades goaltender Steve Racine.
Using a friendly bounce to their advantage, the Everblades would re-take their one goal lead midway through the second period. Cycling the puck around inside the Elmira zone, Kevin Raine would receive the puck near the point. Blasting a shot through some traffic, Raine watched as the puck bounced off the chest of Andy Iles and deflected up and over the goaltender, landing in the back of the net.
In the third period, the Everblades continued to pressure the Jackals in the attacking zone. Earning a couple quality scoring chances throughout the period, the ‘Blades were consistently thwarted by Iles in their attempt to add to their lead.
With the Everblades unable to convert on their chances, the door was left open for the Jackals to tie the game. The Jackals took advantage of a late power play opportunity when Miller unleashed a wicked shot that clipped just under the cross bar and into the net. However, the goal was not without controversy as the goal was initially not signaled. Banging out of the net almost immediately, play continued without a signal until the next stoppage of play. After some deliberation, the officials would eventually signal for the goal to be counted.
With neither side able to generate a go-ahead goal during the remaining part of the third period, the game proceeded into a three-on-three, sudden death overtime period.
Everblades offensive pressure in overtime finally paid off just over two minutes into the frame. Clark Bishop fed a pass to Michael Ferrantino down low. Ferrantino made a nice cut move in front of goal to get around Andy Iles. With Iles beat, Ferrantino slid the puck into the back of the net to clinch the Everblades a 3-2 overtime victory.
Steve Racine played magnificently in goal for the Everblades to earn his first professional victory, stopping 22 of the 24 shots he faced. Andy Iles was equally stellar in goal for the Jackals but suffers the loss after allowing three goals on 39 shots.
Now heading north of the border, the Everblades will wrap up their current six game road trip tomorrow afternoon at the Powerade Center against the Brampton Beast. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.
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