Everblades win opener 6-3
Special to the Breeze, breezesports@breezenewspapers.com
The Florida Everblades opened the 2008-09 season with a strong effort that led to a 6-3 victory over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night at Germain Arena for a crowd of 6,934.
The Everblades (1-0-0) improved to 7-3-1 in season-opening games by applying good pressure throughout the game and playing solid in their own zone. Goaltender David Leggio earned his first professional win by settling down after a shaky start to stop 26 of 29 shots.
The Checkers (0-1-0) jumped out to a quick lead, scoring just 1:20 into the game on the first of Peter Tsimikalis’ two goals when he jammed a shot past Leggio from the top of the crease. The Everblades responded with the game’s next two goals.
Ernie Hartlieb took a pass from Colin Nicholson and fired a wrist shot past Checkers net-minder Max Daigneault. Jonathan Paiement added an assist. The Blades grabbed their first lead at 7:14 of the opening period when rookie Aaron Brocklehurst threw in a shot from the bottom of the left circle for a power play goal and a 2-1 lead.
The Blades took the lead for good at 15:20 of the first period on Kevin Baker’s wrist shot. They extended the advantage on a power play goal by Danick Bouchard at 9:35.
On the power play, the Blades were 2-for-12.
The teams face off again Saturday night.