ESTERO, FL – Matt Skoff stopped all 30 shots faced to earn his first career shutout and led the Florida Everblades (15-3-1-2, 33 pts) to a 1-0 victory over the Elmira Jackals (5-12-4-0, 14 pts) Friday night at Germain Arena.
The first 40 minutes became a goaltender’s duel as Florida’s Matt Skoff and Elmira’s Andy Iles traded off saves to keep their opponents in check.
Special teams proved to play a big part in this game as well, as both teams had numerous chances with the man advantage, but solid penalty killing stymied the scoring in the game.
Ironically, it was Florida’s penalty kill that would find some offense early in the third. After an Eric Scheid tripping penalty, the Jackals went on the power play. However, an aggressive forechecking effort by John McCarron and Michael Ferrantino caused an Elmira turnover in its own end. Ferrantino then picked up the puck and cut to the low slot. Ferrantino then carved a backhanded shot that clipped past Iles for the shorthanded tally. Ferrantino’s fourth of the season gave Florida a 1-0 edge at 2:55 of the final stanza.
Skoff and company continued to hold back the Jackals throughout the third, including two limited 5-on-3 power play opportunities by Elmira. Skoff turned aside all 12 shots faced in the third period to secure the 1-0 victory.
Skoff was stellar in his first start with the Everblades stopping all 30 shots faced. Former Everblade Andy Iles takes the loss for the Jackals despite a solid outing allowing the one goal on 27 shots faced.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for the Annual Teddy Bear Toss.
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