ESTERO, FL — Stephen MacAulay and John McCarron each scored twice to lift the Florida Everblades (6-1-0-0) to a 4-2 victory over the Indy Fuel Saturday night at Germain Arena.
The Everblades got on the board first, continuing their dominance on the power play. Stephen MacAulay sent a pass to Gus Young at the blue line who ripped at shot towards the net. MacAulay got his stick on it to deflect it in for the goal past goaltender Collin Delia.
Quick to extend their lead, the Everblades got two more goals early in the second period. Just 48 seconds into the middle frame, Stephen Lorentz entered the offensive zone and dug his skates into the ice just past the blue line, before sending a smooth saucer pass through traffic to MacAulay who was streaking through the slot. MacAulay received the puck, and made a quick deke and slid it between Delia’s five-hole.
McCarron added another tally just 1:32 later off a rebound off Delia’s pad from a Josh Didier shot, giving the Everblades a 3-0 lead early in the second period.
The Fuel clawed their way back within two as they won a faceoff in the Florida end and Nick Bligh picked up the puck in the slot and quickly fired a shot catching Ouellette off-guard for the goal.
The Everblades almost added to their lead again late in the period after a scramble in front of Delia on the power play. However, the puck managed to stay out of the net, sending the game into the intermission with the Everblades leading 3-1.
Heading into the third, the Everblades engaged their defensive lock down mode much like they have at the start of the early season.
The Everblades held the Fuel off the board until Alex Wideman was able to trickle a rebound through Ouellette with the goalie pulled late in the contest.
The goal didn’t dampen Florida’s spirit, as McCarron added his second goal of the night soon after, shooting from center ice on the empty net of the Fuel to cap off the Everblades win 4-2.
Ouellette earns his fourth win on the season stopping 21 of 23 shots faced, while Delia was once again busy in the loss allowing three goals on 32 shots faced.
Michael Kirkpatrick extended his point streak to seven games adding an assist on the night, while Zack Kamrass extended his point streak to four games with an assist as well.
The Everblades will now face the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday and Saturday of next week at the Amway Center.
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