ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades got on the board early and often, posting a 4-1 victory over Atlanta Gladiators Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. With a complete win on both ends of the ice, the Everblades extended the team’s season-long winning streak to five games. 
The Everblades broke through midway through the first period to claim an early 1-0 lead. Returning to the Blades’ lineup from Charlotte (AHL), Cam Morrison banged home a rebound of a Sean Josling blast for his fourth goal of the season, 9:35 after the opening faceoff.
Later in the frame, a pair of newcomers, Tyler Kobryn and Evan Boucher, teamed up in their Blades’ debuts to extend the lead to 2-0. A slashing Kobryn scored from just outside the crease at the 17:47 mark, with Boucher and Will Reilly picking up the helpers. With their assists in the opening frame, both Josling and Reilly ran their assist streaks to five consecutive contests.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second period, as Josling and Morrison teamed up again. Josling netted his 12th marker of the campaign off a feed from Morrison that stretched the good guys’ lead to 3-0 at the 7:54 juncture.
Atlanta’s Cody Sylvester got the Gladiators on the board just 16 seconds later to trim Florida’s lead to 3-1. The goal came on the Glads’ only shot on goal in the frame.
Morrison added an empty-net goal, his second marker of the contest, at 17:32 of the third period to close out the scoring with the Everblades on top, 4-1. Zach Uens earned an assist.
The Everblades dominated the shot tally 38-25 – including a lopsided 11-1 advantage in the second period – and made a winner out of Evan Cormier (8-4-2-0), who registered 24 saves. Brad Barone (3-4-2-0) logged 34 saves and suffered the loss for Atlanta.
The homestand continues as the Everblades welcome the first-place Greenville Swamp Rabbits back to Hertz Arena for a 7:30 p.m. contest on Friday, January 26, and a 7:00 p.m. tilt on Saturday, January 27. Another 239 Friday will see fans able to purchase two tickets, a large popcorn, and a souvenir program for just $39. 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.
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