Gahagen gets fourth shutout as Everblades blank Greenville

ESTERO, FLA – The Florida Everblades turned in a strong performance on both ends of the ice Saturday night, defeating the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 3-0 in front of a raucous standing-room only crowd of 7,237 at Hertz Arena. Florida (31-17-4-4) rebounded from back-to-back losses to the Swamp Rabbits (20-23-4-3) and snapped Greenville’s four-game winning streak.

Midway through the first period, the Everblades struck first as Alex Aleardi registered his 22nd goal of the season by skating past the Greenville defense and poking home the puck while tumbling to the ice. Avery Peterson picked up the assist as the Everblades took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission after outshooting the visitors 12-4 in the opening frame.

In the second stanza, Peterson and Aleardi swapped roles, as Peterson backhanded the puck over sprawling Swamp Rabbits’ netminder Jacob Ingham at the 8:34 mark off helpers by Aleardi and Joe Pendenza to double the Everblades’ lead to 2-0. The tally was Peterson’s fifth of the season. For the second straight period, the Everblades dominated the shots on goal category to the tune of a 17-11 edge.

The Everblades’ offense continued clicking into the third period, as Blake Winiecki scored his 25th goal of the season, giving him a share of the ECHL lead, putting the Everblades ahead 3-0. Winiecki stole the puck at the red line behind the Greenville defense and connected on an unassisted backhanded tally at the 9:27 mark. Florida ended the evening with a 34-28 advantage in shots on goal.

Parker Gahagen (13-8-1-1) moved into a tie for the ECHL lead with his fourth shutout of the season and continued his outstanding run in goal for the Everblades, making 28 saves and winning for the fifth time in his last six starts, one night after registering over 50 shutout minutes in a relief role. Over his last seven appearances, the defending Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week has posted a 5-1-0-0 record with a 1.29 GAA and a robust .955 save percentage.

The Everblades will take a much-deserved break before next taking to the Hertz Arena ice on Saturday, March 12th when the Orlando Solar Bears skate into town for next week’s sole matchup at 7 p.m.

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