ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades split their season opener at Germain Arena with division rivals, the Gwinnett Gladiators. Both games went back-and-forth all evening with Florida winning their season opener on Friday in an exciting shoot out win. The Gladiators were the victors on Saturday evening.
The Florida Everblades enter their 13th season in the ECHL. The Gwinnet Gladiators enter their 8th season. They actually were the original ECHL Mobile Mysticks from 1995-2003. The teams have been rivals since Gwinnett’s inception in the 2003-2004 season.
Florida begins the season with a new head coach, Greg Poss; assistant coach, Brad Tapper and eight returning Blades from last season’s roster. Fan favorite, Ernie Hartlieb, retired this season. He was one of the longest tenured Everblades. This is a new, young team, with no player older than 26.
FRIDAY – October 15th FLORIDA EVERBLADES 3 / GWINNETT GLADIATORS 2 (SO)
The Blades got off to a rough start leaving an empty net and no defensive back-up. Gwinnett scored its first goal of the season courtesy of Aaron Bendickson at 1:15 of the first period. Florida had trouble clearing the puck from their zone. There was almost a Blade goal as the puck slid into the crease, but stopped just before crossing the line. Later in the period, Mitch Fadden of the Blades, had a breakaway from the blue line. He was blatantly hooked in front of the net. If he hadn’t scored, it surely would have been called a penalty shot. Fadden tied the game at 16:15 of the first period.
The second period was again one of too many chances given to the Gladiators courtesy of the Blades. Cedric McNicoll gave the Blades the lead for the first time in the game with a power play goal at 12:50 of the second. They had a chance to go up by two as once again the puck fluttered into the crease and just skimmed, but did not cross, the goal line. Florida was on the penalty kill at the end of regulation.
Thirty seconds into the third period, Gwinnett had the man advantage of 5-on-3. Bobby Goepfert, Florida’s new goalie, kept the Blades in the game, flopping on the puck like the infamous Tony Esposito. Gwinnett scored even as Florida’s Goepfert contested it. The latter half of the period was marred by communication failure and lazy power plays. Luckily the intensity returned after regulation when the game was tied 2-2.
The overtime period, usually 4-on-4 play was changed into an unusual situation when matching minor penalties were called at 1:51. The play was 3-on-3 which was interesting to watch and really opened up the play, however neither team scored.
The shoot out did not need all five players. Florida’s Goepfert stopped four Gwinnett players giving him the win. Florida’s Alexandre Imbeault and Mitch Fadden got past Gwinnett’s Chris Carrozzi to take the season opener in a shoot out to the delight of the crowd.
GAME NOTES: Everblade Evgeny Timkin played with Jaromir Jager (former NHL star) in Russia last season on the Omsk Team.
SATURDAY – October 16th GWINNETT GLADIATORS 5 / FLORIDA EVERBLADES 2
Florida came out looking stronger tonight, but let Gwinnett score on a power play on only the second shot on goal of the game. Andy Brandt put the Gladiators on the board at 7:54.
Florida looked weak on the power play as the game progressed. They were not controlling puck, their passing was poorly executed and they had trouble communicating with each other on the ice. With two back-to-back power play opportunities, Florida only had one shot on goal.
The Blades gave Gwinnett another opportunity leading to a breakaway run at 13:24. Another goal went up on the board for the Gladiators, this time on only their third shot on goal of the game (2 goals scored on 3 shots). Florida finally made their mark with an even strength goal at 14:07 by Francis Lemieux. He slid the puck behind Sauer into the net. The Blades thought they had tied the game late in the period, but it was disallowed due to a kicking motion. A scuffle ensued and two players, Florida’s Trevor Hendrix and Gwinnett’s Danick Paquette, were escorted off the ice to end the period with Gwinnett ahead 2-1.
Early in the period Goepfert made an unbelievable save on a side shot while lying down. I still don’t know how he did it, but he robbed Gwinnett of a goal. Florida continued making unnecessary errors and earned a penalty for delay of game (puck out-of-play). They did have a great short-handed opportunity, hitting the cross bar in the process. However, Gwinnett took advantage of the power play and Dan Kissel put Gwinnett up by two at 14:51 of the second. Florida made a critical error passing the puck to a waiting Gwinnett playing in front of their net. Guess what? That one went in too. It was a bad goal at any time, but worse as it was in that critical last minute of the period (19:37). At the end of two, Gwinnett led 4-1.
Gwinnett was definitely the stronger team, playing very aggressive and focused hockey tonight. They were passing better and capitalizing on almost every mistake the Blades made. They scored early in the third with a short-handed goal at 2:34 by Aaron Hendrickson. Florida made an attempt at a late comeback but it was too-little, too-late. Blades goals were posted by Matthew Pistilli (18:17) and Cedric McNicoll (19:50). Gwinnett easily won 5-3.
GAME NOTES: Blades player, Mike McKenzie, saw his dad – commentator Bob McKenzie, with TSN in Canada, visiting and sharing his expertise with the Media staff in Florida’s press box.
Contact the writer at: sweatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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