GREENVILLE, SC – Mike Ferrantino scored the game-winning goal 1:31 into overtime to lead the Florida Everblades (9-0-1-0, 19 pts) to a 2-1 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-2-2-0, 8 pts) Saturday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The result keeps the Everblades unbeaten in regulation this season.
Despite being on the wrong side of the game’s opening chances, it would be the Everblades that managed to strike first as they took a 1-0 lead with just over a minute remaining in the first period.
Coming off the bench late in the opening period, Brendan O’Donnell headed straight into the attacking zone. Getting to the high slot, O’Donnell took a centering feed from Michael Kirkpatrick and fired a quick wrist shot that managed to beat Greenville netminder Jeff Malcolm.
As the teams entered the second period, the Swamp Rabbits started strong. As Greenville began to build some momentum off of some solid goal scoring chances, Trevor Gerling managed to tie the game up thanks to some great decision making on his part. Receiving the puck at the left wing circle, Gerling waited for the traffic to clear in front of goal. Spotting an opening, Gerling flung the puck towards goal and watched as it slipped right by Daniel Altshuller.
Entering the third period of play, both teams looked for that key go-ahead goal. With a couple of penalties midway through the period, it looked as if Greenville might have been the team to break the deadlock. However, some great saves by Altshuller including a tremendous sprawling stop with members of both teams gathered around the crease kept the score tied at 1-1.
Not to be outdone, Greenville goaltender Jeff Malcolm was equally stunning throughout the third period. Earning an odd-man rush following the end of a 4-on-4 series, the Everblades quickly moved into the attacking zone. Stopping the initial shot from Matt Berry, Malcolm also saved the backhanded rebound attempt from John McCarron in what was the Everblades two best scoring chances of the third period.
Despite some chances for both sides late in the period, neither could find that go-ahead goal, sending the game to a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death overtime period.
Some early chances for both teams were denied by both goaltenders with neither wanting to allow the game-winner. Finally, midway through the overtime period, the ‘Blades found the breakthrough goal they needed. Rushing into the attacking zone, Ferrantino got to the high slot and wristed a rocket of a shot high into the top corner to deliver the 2-1 win for the Everblades.
Altshuller was absolutely stunning in goal for the Everblades, earning the win after stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced. Malcolm was equally stellar in goal for the Swamp Rabbits but suffered the loss after allowing two goals on 35 shots faced.
The Florida Everblades finish off their week long road trip tomorrow afternoon with a second consecutive game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.
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