JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Matthew Wedman buried a blast from the left circle at 8:24 of overtime to lift the Florida Everblades to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over the host Jacksonville Icemen in Game Two of the South Division Semifinal series Sunday afternoon at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. With the victory, the Everblades pulled even in the series, with the next three games taking place on Hertz Arena ice.
The ECHL’s top-two stingiest defenses during the regular season were true to form in the first period, as the bitter rivals battled through a scoreless opening 20 minutes. Jacksonville claimed a slight 9-8 edge in shots on goal after taking the first eight shots of the game across the first 6:33 of play. The Blades claimed an 8-1 shooting edge over the remainder of the period. Both teams came up empty on two power-play shifts in the first period, with Jacksonville’s second power play running through the opening 1:37 of the middle frame.
Both teams would find their offense in the second period, trading the only goals scored in 60 minutes of regulation play. The Icemen struck first and claimed a 1-0 lead at the 12:59 mark, as Derek Lodermeier scored for the second time in the series, collecting Jacksonville’s fourth power-play goal of the postseason. Sean Josling responded for the Everblades just under two minutes later, notching Florida’s first goal of the playoffs and tying the game at 1-1.
Josling capitalized with the Everblades on a 3-on-2 rush, streaking down the right side and burying a feed from the slot off the stick of Josh Ho-Sang. The equalizer not only leveled the score at the 14:56 mark, but snapped the Everblades’ postseason scoreless streak at just under 95 minutes.
Neither team was able to find the net in the third period, as the game went into overtime. Jacksonville outshot Florida 26-22 in regulation.
Wedman’s first goal as an Everblade came at the most opportune of times. A cross-ice feed from Ho-Sang was deflected by a Jacksonville defender, went right to Wedman who nailed the game-winner.
Ho-Sang assisted on both Florida goals, while Will Reilly also picked up as assist.
Florida outshot Jacksonville 6-1 in the extra period to claim a 28-27 edge in shots on goal for the contest. In goal, Cam Johnson stopped 26 of 27 shots for the Everblades to claim the victory, while Matt Vernon also made 26 saves for the Icemen and suffered the overtime loss.
With the first two games in the rear-view mirror, the series shifts to Hertz Arena in Estero, as the Everblades will host Game Three, the first of three potential home games in the series, on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white for all opening-round games at Hertz Arena as a nod to the Blades’ first of three Kelly Cup titles in 2012, and can take advantage of a special postseason Hump Day Deal on Wednesday with $3.00 beers and hot dogs available throughout the game.
Friday’s contest in The Swamp features a 239 Friday, with fans able to purchase two tickets, one popcorn and a souvenir program for the special price of $39. Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information on the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Lexus and to purchase tickets.
With Florida Everblades release
Contact the photographer: Trina.Kirk@prohockeynews.com
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