DULUTH, GA – Mitchell Heard scored twice while both Michael Kirkpatrick and Josiah Didier scored on the power play to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 4-2 victory over the rival Atlanta Gladiators Friday night at the Infinite Energy Arena. The result was also a special one for Everblades head coach Brad Ralph, as he earned his 300th career victory from behind the bench.
Despite both teams seeing their fair share of chances in the first period, it would be the Gladiators that would score the game’s first goal and take a 1-0 lead near the end of the opening frame. After stopping a low angle shot from Ben Marshall, Martin Ouellette suffered some bad luck as his initial save sent the puck right into the path of an onrushing Chase Witala. While at the net, Witala did not need a second invitation as he buried the loose puck past Ouellette.
The Everblades struck back just 1:08 into the second period as the power play unit continued its red hot start as Kirkpatrick tipped in a power play goal to tie the game at 1-1. After receiving the puck at the point following an offensive zone faceoff, Keegan Kanzig flipped a shot towards goal. Deflected out of the air by Kirkpatrick, the puck took an Everblades bounce, deflecting off the surface of the ice and bouncing right past the pads of Atlanta goaltender Matt Ginn.
The Everblades continued their special teams trend, and capitalized on a five-on-three power play chance to take a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. Clark Seymour managed to get the puck to Steven Lorentz who quickly dispatched a pass over to Didier at the right wing circle. Stepping into his shot, Didier blasted the puck past the glove of Ginn and into the back of the net.
In the third period, the ‘Blades began to up the early pressure on the Gladiators. That early pressure quickly paid dividends as just under a minute and a half into the final frame, Heard was pulled down from behind on a goal scoring opportunity, earning himself a penalty shot. Taking advantage of this golden opportunity, Heard brought the puck in low before roofing his shot into the top corner of the net to give the Everblades a 3-1 lead.
Despite having a two-goal lead, the Everblades continued to pressure Atlanta in their own zone. Finally, late in the third period, that pressure paid off as Heard went to the backhand before roofing his second goal of the night high into the net to give the Everblades a 4-1 lead.
The Gladiators added a second tally late in the third period on a tipped shot by Luke Sandler, but Atlanta could not find a way to complete the comeback. Holding off the Gladiators tremendous late pressure, the Everblades secured the 4-2 victory.
Ouellette was once again stellar in goal for the Everblades, earning the win after stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced. Ginn also played well in goal for the Gladiators but suffered the loss after allowing four goals on 33 shots.
Brad Ralph earned win number 300 in his head coach career. Ralph has a head coaching record of 300-149-36. Ralph is currently in his seventh season as a head coach, and his second with the Everblades. Ralph has also had coaching stints the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), Augusta RIverHawks (SPHL) and the Kelowna Rockets (WHL).
The Everblades finish off their short two-game road trip Saturday night night when they will once again take on the rival Atlanta Gladiators. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time.
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