SAVANNAH, Ga. – Luke Santerno gave the Florida Everblades a 3-2 lead late in the third period in his Blades’ debut, but the Savannah Ghost Pirates evened the score and went on to claim a 4-3 victory in overtime Saturday night at Enmarket Arena.
The first period belonged to the Everblades, as the good guys struck twice in a 1:14 span midway through the opening frame. Joe Pendenza got the scoring started, as he picked up his team-leading 15th goal of the year, tipping in a blast from Zach Uens at the 10:49 mark, with Will Reilly earning a secondary assist.
Reilly would double the Blades’ lead with his fourth goal of the season at 12:03, as Uens and Slava Demin claimed the helpers, giving the Everblades a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Unfortunately, Florida’s two-goal lead would be erased by the home team in the second period, as Carter Long converted at the 2:39 mark and Alex Swetlikoff scored the equalizer at 8:29, pulling Savannah even at 2-2 heading into the second intermission.
The deadlock would last deep into the third period until Santerno gave the Everblades a 3-2 lead with the team’s third goal from way up top at the15:35 off assists from Demin and Cam Darcy. The goal was Santerno’s first as an Everblade and fourth in the ECHL this season.
With Savannah’s goal empty, Alex Gilmour knotted the game at 3-3, as the Ghost Pirates struck at 18:16 of regulation.
Savannah’s Simon Pinard snapped the deadlock just 27 seconds into overtime to give the Ghost Pirates a 4-3 victory.
The Ghost Pirates claimed a 26-24 edge in shots on goal. Evan Cormier (8-5-3-0) registered 22 saves for the Everblades, while Jordan Papirny (4-4-1-0) tallied 21 saves for Savannah.
The Everblades will return to Hertz Arena for a four-game homestand which will get underway on Wednesday, February 7 with the first of three games against the North Division leading Adirondack Thunder at 7:30 p.m. Fans can enjoy another popular Hump Day Deal with $3.00 beers, $3.00 hot dogs and live music by DJ Matty Chiuch throughout the evening
Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
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