Baker hat trick lifts Everblades in OT 5-4
Florida’s Kevin Baker smashed the South Carolina Stingrays with a double whammy, recording a hat trick that doubled as the game-winning goal in overtime for a 5-4 victory Saturday night at Germain Arena.
The Everblades overcame a 3-0 first perod deficit, handing the league leaders a loss in the first of two games this weekend.
The Stingrays raced ahead with three first-period goals. Forward Gregg Johnson recorded the first tally at 7:49 with assists going to forward Keith Johnson and defenseman Johann Kroll. Keith Johnson followed up with a goal of his own at 16:53, driving the puck into the corner of the net manned by goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu. Kroll was credited with his second straight assist. Keith Johnson and Kroll struck again in the last minute.
The Everblades kickstarted their offense in the second period when Milan Gajic put the Blades on the board for the first time at 4:45. Assisted by defenseman Ryan VanBuskirk and captain Ross Carlson, Gajic blasted the puck into the center of Stingray Shane Connelly’s net. Carlson’s assist is his 38th point of the season, maintaining his title as the overall team-leading scorer.
The remainder of the period went scoreless and ended as a scrap erupted between Florida’s Brady Calla and Stingray Spencer Carbery.
Baker didn’t waste any time in the beginning of the third period, recording his 10th goal of the season at 1:34. Gajic was credited with an assist, helping Florida inch closer at 3-2.
South Carolina responded on the power play two minutes later with a goal by forward Jake Hauswirth. Thirty-six seconds later, the ping-pong play continued as Baker put the puck past Connelly. Baker’s second tally was assisted by Gajic and Carlson.
Blades veteran Ernie Harlieb tied the game at 4-4 with a goal at 11:46. Gajic and Paquet recorded the assists. Regulation play ended and the teams headed to a four-on-four five-minute overtime session.
Florida took advantage of an overtime power play when Baker slammed the puck into the net, recording not only a game-winning goal, but a hat trick that sealed the ‘Blades’ victory at 5-4.
The teams skate again Sunday afternoon.