Roy, Hildebrand lead Everblades past Nailers

ESTERO, FLA – The Florida Everblades (29-10-0-2) grabbed two of three games against the Wheeling Nailers (10-23-5-0) with a 5-3 win at Hertz Arena on Saturday night. Hugo Roy led Florida with three points (1 goal-2 assists) and goaltender Jake Hildebrand had 37 saves on 40 shots faced in route to his 15th win of the season.

FIRST STAR: Hugo Roy (FLA) – one goal, two assists, plus-1, three shots

SECOND STAR: Alex Kile (FLA) – one goal, one assist, plus-1, one shot

THIRD STAR: Jake Hildebrand (FLA) – 37 saves on 40 shots faced

Florida and Wheeling played to a scoreless first frame. In the first 20 minutes, the Nailers had 11 shots on goal, while the Everblades were held to seven shots.

A call and response theme emerged in the middle frame, as the second period saw a flurry of goals for both clubs. While Florida was on the power play, Colby Sissons snapped a shot from the point, but was blocked by a Wheeling player. Eventually, Joe Pendenza regained possession and dished it out to Michael Huntebrinker near the right circle, who buried his 22nd tally of the season at the 2:10 mark. Wheeling quickly responded less than a minute later when Joshua Winquist drove into the slot and ripped a wrist shot to tie the game at one a piece at 3:53.

Florida netted their second tally off of a quick build up out of their defensive zone. Max Cook carried the puck down the near wing and found Blake Winiecki crashing into the slot to finish the play at 10:27. Then at the 12:27 mark, Wheeling forward Cody Sylvester grabbed a shorthanded goal, when he knocked Myles Powell off of the puck in Florida’s defensive zone at 12:27.

Early in the third period, Powell cashed in to put the Everblades ahead by a goal. Posted at the crease, Roy settled down a shot from Max Cook to set up Powell for the one-time finish at 3:49. A few minutes later, Alex Kile secured a goal to give Florida some breathing room. Matt Petgrave shoveled the puck towards goal, then Kile found the back of the net off of the rebound at 7:55.

Wheeling would not go quietly. Patrick McNally scored from the point to make it 4-3 at the 17:54 mark. However, Florida ultimately sealed the game with an empty netter from Roy at 19:09 to seal the win.

The Florida Everblades will travel to the Orlando Solar Bears for a trio of games next weekend. Then, the Everblades will return to Hertz Arena on Wednesday, April 7th at 7:30 p.m. to face the Jacksonville Icemen.

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