Florida’s roadtrip has highs and lows

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ESTERO, FL   – The Florida Everblades finished a three-game road trip with a disappointing record of  1-1-1.   They spent Wednesday and Thursday in Charlotte and Friday in Gwinnett.   Wednesday 11/4/09 – in Charlotte, NC  (Everblades 3 – Checkers 4,   shootout) – The Everblades kept the game close, but were never able to assume the lead.   Chris Beckford-Tseu retuned to the team and was given the nod to mind the net.   He played a solid game, turning away 35 shots on goal. Jacob Micflickier, Brandon Buck and Milan Gajic scored for the Blades.   Charlotte’s Matt Schepke had a pair of goals and Jason Lawrence had the Checker’s third tally.   Checker’s goalie, Billy Sauer, was also solid, turning away 39 shots from Florida. Florida dominated the first period but was unable to score.   The scoreless game continued for over 33 minutes until the teams combined to score three goals in a little over one minute of playing frenzy. Florida tied the game early in the third period.   Charlotte looked like they had a win when Lawrence got one past Beckford –Tseu, with three minutes left in regulation.   Florida’s Buck decided the game wasn’t over yet and scored just 25 seconds later to send the game to overtime. The game remained scoreless and forced a shootout that lasted eleven rounds before Charlotte’s Julian Brouillette ended the game, with a hard-fought win for the Checkers. Thursday 11/5/09 – in Charlotte, NC (Everblades   7 – Checkers   0) – They say “What a difference a day makes.”   Here is a perfect example.   After fighting to get one point last night, the Blades exploded and embarrassed their division rivals by shutting them out. Florida ’s Beckford-Tseu got the nod again to start the game.   This time he “wowed” everyone with an impressive shutout in Charlotte.   He stopped 28 shots earning his first shutout of the season. The Blades opened their scoring midway into the first period and never looked back.   Rob Hennigar scored the first, and obviously game-winning, goal at 11:22.   They exploded in the second, adding four more goals.   The third period added two more. The star of the night was Jacob McFlickier who not only had a six-point night; he also scored a hat trick.   The Blades were on their game and played hard and solid.   They could be a top contender, if they brought their “A” game every night. Friday 11/6/09 – in Gwinnett, GA (Everblades 1 – Gladiators   4 ) – It looked like the Blades had used up all their goal scoring expertise back in Charlotte as they were only able to mark one up on Friday night.   After easily beating Gwinnett in two preseason games, Florida was not able to repeat the feat. The Blades scored first by Rob Hennigar.   Gwinnett followed with goals by: Sam Roberts, Tom Zanoski and Daniel Sullivan.   The fourth goal was an empty netter with 50 seconds left in the game. Taylor stopped 44 shots for the win; Florida’s Morrison suffered the loss.   NOTE: Florida’s Chris Beckford-Tseu (Goal) and Ernie Hartlieb (Forward) were both called up to the Rochester Americans of the AHL (American Hockey League). FLORIDA returns home for a three-game-set against new ECHL member, the Toledo Walleye.   They will play at Germain Arena on Wednesday, November 11th, Friday, November 13th, and Saturday, November 14th. Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews      

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