Blades snap skid with 3-2 win
The Florida Everblades faced an uphill battle in trying to end their losing skid at four games with a bout of the flu depleting their forward position, but they should feel better after defeating the visiting Fort Wayne Komets 3-2 Wednesday night at Germain Arena.
“Yes, we have a lot of sick players right now,” said an also sick Blades coach Greg Poss. “The flu is going through our team right now, that’s why we play short tonight. So from that stand point it was a great team victory, The guys really worked hard and played as a team.”
The teams played to a scoreless tie through the first 18:42 of the first period before Fort Wayne beat Florida netminder Andy Isles (27 saves).
The Everblades used that late goal as motivation to dominate in the second period, scoring twice on the Komets.
Matt Aviani tallied first for the Blades, scoring unassisted on a breakaway goal while the Everblades were on the penalty kill just 3:21 into the frame. Six minutes later, Cameron Burt sent a pass from behind the net to the waiting stick of Matt Marquardt for the 2-1 Blades lead.
Minutes later, Jeff Silengo missed on his best chance yet to score his first professional goal in a Blades uniform, after failing to convert a penalty shot, and Florida entered the last intermission clinging to a one-goal lead.
With a power play chance to start off the third period, the Blades failed to capitalize and take control early. Minutes later, Silengo finally got his first professional goal and it was the eventual game-winner with 10:44 to play.
“It was nice to get the first one out of the way after missing that penalty shot,” said Silengo. “(Gleason) Fournier made a nice pass and I got the lucky bounce.”
The Everglades (30-15) stay home for eight more home games including a pair with the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday and Saturday.