ESTERO, Fla. – The Blades ended a three-game losing streak by running over the wide-eyed Toledo Walleye for two of three weekend games. The turnaround was celebrated at Germain Arena with the restaurant special “Fried Walleye Fish.” Florida needed this three-game home stance to regain some composure and confidence. They succeeded by earning four-of-six available points in this series. WEDNESDAY, November 17th, 2010: FLORIDA EVERBLADES – 4 / TOLEDO WALLEYE – 2 The Blades came to this game ready to play as they scored two goals in the first five minutes, making an immediate impression on the Walleye. Alex Imbeault started the barrage just 57 seconds into the game, scoring on a power play. Mitch Fadden (who scored two of the four goals tonight), scored about four minutes later at 4:41 of the first. Florida led 2-0 at the end of the period. Blades net-minder, Bobby Goepfert played a stellar second period. He started off denying Zach Torquato a short-handed breakaway opportunity. Goepfert kept the Walleye at bay until Adam Keefe found the back of the net at 8:43 of the second. Florida quickly regained their two-goal lead when Matt Pistilli scored at 10:33. Florida still led 3-1 at the end of the second. Although Toledo outshot the Blades 16-6 in the third, Florida still prevailed. In the first six-minutes, the Walleye had eight shots-on-goal’s vs. Florida’s one. The one Florida shot made it to the back of the net, courtesy of Mitch Fadden, bringing the score to 4-1. The Walleye tired to fight back and did score at 14:49 with a goal by Sal Peralta. But it was too little, too late. Florida wins 4-2. WIN: FLORIDA – Bobby Goepfert 35/37); LOSS: TOLEDO – Scott Campbell (20/24) POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITIES: Florida 1-of-4; Toledo 0-of-5 FRIDAY, November 19th, 2010: FLORIDA EVERBLADES – 8 / TOLEDO WALLEYE – 1 The Walleye were the ones that came out strong tonight to begin the first period, outshooting Florida 18-6. This period was the start of a very physical game with both teams notching a ton of penalty minutes. At the end of the night, Toledo had posted 19 infractions (69 penalty minutes); Florida had posted 15 infractions (53 penalty minutes). Team Captains, Mike Egener (FL) and Adam Keefe (TOL) kept dropping the gloves during the game and both were eventually tossed out for game misconducts. Aside from all the altercations, beginning this period, the Blades managed to score once. On the fourth of their only six shots-on-goal’s, Mike McKenzie snuck one in at 13:19. Florida led 1-0 at the end of the first. Florida exploded in the second period with four goals. Matt Pistilli scored first at 1:39 on a power play opportunity. Then came two more quick goals by, Ross Carlson (2:35) and Alex Hutchings (3:42). The crowd went wild and so did the Blades. More brawls ensued and saw the Blades having to endure three overlapping penalties leaving them short-handed for an extended period of time. But tonight was their night and Francis Lemieux scored a short-handed goal at 15:38, putting another nail into the coffin for the Walleye. The third period was almost a repeat of the first, as far as physical play. However, Florida still found a way to score three more times: Alex Imbeault (2:47, power play); Mathieu Roy (10:11); and Ross Carlson (15:41, power play). Florida wins this in an 8-1 blow-out. WIN: FLORIDA – Jaroslav Janus 40/41); LOSS: TOLEDO – Joe Palmer (21/29) POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITIES: Florida 3-of-9; Toledo 0-of-5 SATURDAY, November 20th, 2010: TOLEDO WALLEYE – 3 / FLORIDA EVERBLADES – 1 Saturday’s game was tame and quiet compared to Friday’s nights blow-out. Minimal penalties and no real brawling left the Blades fans wondering what teams were playing tonight. The first period was scoreless with Toledo out-shooting Florida 12-7. The Walleye took control offensively in the second, scoring three goals. One Walleye led the charge on the ice by scoring twice. Randy Rowe scored an even strength goal at 10:14 and added a power play goal at 14:52. Toledo’s third goal was initially stopped by Florida’s Bobby Goepfert but then trickled over the line despite his efforts to keep it out. Toledo took a commanding three goal lead into the locker room, ahead of the Blades 3-0. Florida tried to fight back and scored early in the third with a short-handed goal by Matt Pistilli just 54 minutes into the period. That was all they could get past Joe Palmer tonight after punishing him with eight goals on Friday. Toledo wins 3-1. WIN: TOLEDO – Joe Palmer (23/24); LOSS: FLORIDA – Bobby Goepfert (35/38) POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITIES: Toledo 1-of-5; Florida 0-of-2 OF NOTE: The Florida Everblades welcomed RW Jared Staal to their team. The 20-year-old of the famous hockey family started his first professional season this year with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. He was a second round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Carolina Hurricanes acquired him in May of 2010. The other Staal’s are: Eric (Carolina Hurricanes); Marc (New York Rangers); and Jordan (Pittsburgh Penguins – all of the NHL. Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
Related
You must be logged in to post a comment.