Blades cut down 3-2 in shootout
What was a bad week of hockey for the Florida Everblades got worse with a 3-2 shootout loss Tuesday night to the Charlotte Checkers at Germain Arena.
The loss is the third in a row for the Blades since last Friday.
It’s a trend that Blades coach Malcolm Cameron isn’t happy to see, particularly with just seven games remaining in the regular season.
“(President Craig Brush) and I are extremely disappointed with what we have seen out of this team over the last four games,” Cameron said sternly Cameron in his postgame remarks. “Our veteran players have to do a better job. We have a veteran hockey club and for us to show up the way we did tonight with a chance to clinch home ice throughout the playoffs is unacceptable.”
The Everblades scored first, when the returning Andrew Sweetland tallied his fifth goal of the year 12 minutes into the first period.
It fell apart quickly after that.
The Blades (41-17-5) came out listless from the start. Their lazy play led to bad penalties late in the opening period, which the Checkers (32-24-6) capitalized on, scoring twice to take command heading into the intermission.
“It’s unacceptable,” said Cameron. “If we can’t be motivated with eight games left in the season then I have the wrong personnel.”
After a scoreless second period, the Everblades came out firing in the third.
The Blades fired a staggering 22 shots on goal in the period, but only managed to get past Checkers netminder Jeff Jakaitis (47 saves) once.
Kevin Baker scored his 50th goal of the year, a franchise record, which was enough to force a 2-2 tie and guarantee at least a point in the standings. Baker’s historic goal tied the score with 1:54 to go in regulation.
It was not enough to curb Cameron’s anger for what he has seen over the last week.
The teams skate again Wednesday at Germain Arena.