GREENVILLE, SC – Mark Nemec scored the game-winning goal at 4:12 of overtime as the Florida Everblades (25-11-0-0, 50 pts) defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (17-13-6-0, 40 pts) 3-2 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena Friday night.
The Everblades would once again open the scoring against the Swamp Rabbits, netting the game’s first goal midway through the opening period. Getting the puck into the attacking zone, Gabriel Desjardins found Brent Harris alone at the blue line. With Maxime St. Cyr screening Greenville goaltender Allen York, Harris blasted a one-time effort from the blue line and past York for a 1-0 Everblades lead.
Less than two-minutes after the Harris strike, the Swamp Rabbits scored their first of the night off a faceoff in the Everblades zone. Getting the puck off the faceoff, Andrew Dommett’s pass from the left circle managed to split the ‘Blades defenders and find the waiting stick of Michael St. Croix. Alone at the backdoor, St. Croix steered the puck past Everblades goaltender Anthony Peters to tie the game.
The Everblades would strike back, retaking the lead late in the second period. Getting the puck to the high slot area, Ryan Martindale fired a low wrist shot towards the net and through the five hole of Allen York to restore the one-goal Everblades lead.
However, once again, the Swamp Rabbits wasted no time tying the game, retying the game with just over 11-seconds remaining in the middle frame. A superb pass from Vinny Saponari was able to spring Darian Dziurzynski on a breakaway. One-on-one with Anthony Peters, Dziurzynski’s forehand shot beat the Everblades goaltender on the glove side to once again tie the two teams.
With neither team able to find a game-winner in the third period, the game would head to a five-minute three-on-three overtime period. With less than a minute remaining in overtime, the ‘Blades would get a 2-on-1 break. From the left wing, Evan Bloodoff found Mark Nemec open in the slot. Receiving the puck, Nemec smoked a shot past the Greenville goaltender to deliver the ‘Blades a 3-2 overtime victory.
Anthony Peters was sensational in goal for the Everblades, stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced. Former Everblades’ goaltender Allen York takes the loss for Greenville, allowing three goals on 25 shots.
Nemec has now scored two overtime winning goals this season for the Everblades. The first was scored back on December 11 in a 3-2 decision against the Reading Royals.
The Florida Everblades conclude their current five game road swing Saturday night when they will once again take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the Ben Secours Wellness Arena.
With Florida Everblades release
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