Everblades fall in shootout 6-5
Despite a hat trick by Chris Kushneriuk, the Florida Everblades failed to get the outcome they wanted Wednesday night in their first ever meeting with the Tulsa Oilers of the former CHL, losing a 6-5 shootout decision at Germain Arena.
Tulsa drew first blood, beating Florida goaltender Allen York midway through the first period, catching York out of position as he tried to make a play on the puck behind the net. Two minutes later, the Oilers scored again, looking like they were ready to run away early.
The Everblades responded quickly, with Kushneriuk scoring his first goal 1:15 later tipping in a shot from the blue line by Cameron Burt.
After Tulsa widened its lead to two goals 8:44 into the second period, Alex Lavoie’s 10th goal of the season brought the Blades back within one goal, only to go down by two goals again 1 1/2 minutes later.
Kushneriuk answered for the Blades 30 seconds later, bringing the home team within 4-3 entering the final period.
It took a little over five minutes for the Blades to tie the game in the third, as Mike Little’s fourth goal of the year found the back of the net. Tulsa reclaimed the lead with 9 1/2 minutes to play in regulation, using traffic in front of York to shield him from the near point-blank shot.
Minutes later, Kushneriuk got his hat trick score, tying the game for the final time. His goal was followed by a scoreless overtime, leading to a shootout.
“It was good that we could come back like that,” said Blades coach Greg Poss. “Five goals should be good enough to win a game, but our defensive play was atrocious We really need to be a lot better defensively than we have been the last two games.”
Florida (24-8) and Tulsa (19-20) meet again Friday night at Germain Arena.