Blades hold off Warriors 5-4
GREENVILLE, S.C. – For the second time in as many nights, Evan Bloodoff scored two goals, this time helping lead the Everblades to a 5-4 victory over the Greenville Road Warriors Saturday night.
The Everblades (23-6) end their six-game road trip with a 4-2 record.
The Everblades grabbed the lead early, when a bouncing puck found Alex Lavoie in the slot. Lavoie immediately fired a wrist shot that beat Greenville goaltender Jeff Malcolm on the blocker side at 2:52 of the opening frame.
Ten minutes later, Bloodoff made it 2-0 on his wrist shot from the slot.
Bloodoff struck again at 3:03 of the second period on another wrist shot, this time from the left wing circle to extend the Blades’ lead to 3-0.
Greenville responded later on the power play. Ryan Hegarty delivered a shot on net that was stopped by Florida netminder Allen York. The rebound bounced directly to an unguarded Kyle Jean who shoved the puck into the open net to put the Warriors on the board.
Later in the period, Florida reclaimed its three-goal advantage when Jeff Costello blazed into the zone and skated past the defense, and snuck a backhand shot past Malcolm. The strong play by Costello gave the Blades a 4-l lead at the second break.
Tyler Brown initiated Greenville’s comeback bid just a minute into the third when he tipped a shot from the point past York.
The Everblades assumed its third three-goal lead of the game at 13:36 when Adam Brace unleashed a hard wrister into the back of the net for the goal to put the Blades on top 5-2.
It appeared the Everblades had this one in hand, but Greenville gambled late in the period pulling the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker. It worked, as Jean steered a pass across the slot to Brown who one-timed a shot behind York for the third Greenville goal.
Just 12 seconds later, and the net still empty, Brown again found himself with the puck after a shot from the point. Brown picked up the loose puck and flipped it into the net to complete the natural hat trick and remarkably pull the Warriors within one with 1:18 remaining.
Despite the dramatics, the Everblades held on to secure the victory and end the road trip.
York earns the win allowing four goals on 33 shots.
Bloodoff finished the game with two goals, and finished the week with five in four games.
The Everblades now return home to open a five-game homestand on Friday against the Orlando Solar Bears.