ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades split a pair of games on a Midwest weekend trip. Both games were very tight and won by one-goal margins. The Blades played in Cincinnati on Friday and in Chicago on Saturday.
FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 24, 2012 (Cincinnati Cyclones: 2 / Florida Everblades: 1)
This game was played and won in the second period. The first and third periods, while full of spirited play and plenty of scoring opportunities, remained scoreless for both teams. Florida got on the scoreboard early (2:49) in the second period. Mathieu Roy found the back of net with helpers from Matt Beca and Trevor Bruess. Cincinnati took advantage of a breakaway opportunity and tied the game at (11:32) with a goal by Matt Sisca.
The scoring ended with the Cyclones finally grabbing and keeping the lead in the final minute of the second period. The Cyclones goal tender, Brian Foster, played an outstanding game as he defended his net for a Cincinnati win.
Florida got into the game early tonight with Cedric McNicoll scoring his first of two goals at just (1:50) into the opening period. Although the Blades had a great power play opportunity with a Chicago player in the box for a double-minor, they were unable to add to their score.
Chicago tied the game at (6:43) of the second period with a goal by Kyle Ostrow. Florida quickly regained the lead with Alex Hutchins putting them ahead in the count. Less than a minute later, Chicago again tied the score.
The Express finally got the lead at (11:27) as Chaz Johnson fired one past Florida net minder, Shane Owen. Not to be outdone, Florida tied the game less than a minute later as David Rutherford broke the tie. Note that four total goals were scored in a (2:39) span between the two teams!
Florida regained the lead with Cedric McNicoll’s second goal on the power play. Chicago pulled their goal tender near the end of regulation and were rewarded with a goal at (19:08) to send the game into overtime.
There was no scoring in regulation. The star of the night for the Everblades was Cedric McNicoll who scored the winning goal in the seventh round of the shootout.
NOTES: Sebastien Pride (D) was assigned to the Florida Everblades by the Tampa Bay Lightening (NHL) as part of a three team deal on 2/23/12…….Pat Nagle (G) was named the ECHL Goal Tender of the Week for 2/13 – 2/19. During this period Nagle, who is under contract with the Tampa bay Lightening (NHL), was 3-0-0 with a 1.63 GAA and a save percentage of .944%.
Contact the writer at: sweatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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