Lapse costs Blades in 4-3 loss
After Friday’s loss to the South Carolina Stingrays, coach Greg Poss said the Florida Everblades needed to play more disciplined hockey.
Poss got what he wanted Saturday night for 56 minutes. It was the last four that ultimately cost them a victory for the second straight night 4-3 at Germain Arena.
“We don’t have a problem with the effort, but, you know, it’s a 60 minute game,” said Poss.
The familiar divisional foes skated to a scoreless tie in the first period, establishing the close contest that was to come.
It wasn’t until nearly half the second period had expired before the Blades drew first blood when team captain Jordan Henry found the net for a 1-0 lead.
With less than two minutes to go, the Everblades looked like they would carry that 1-0 lead into the final period, but South Carolina had other intentions and beat netminder Andy Isles (18 saves) for the tying goal just 1:39 before intermission, setting up a third period showdown.
Florida dominated most of the third period, jumping out to a two-goal lead less than eight minutes in. Adam Brace’s goal gave the Blades what they thought was the final nail in the Stingrays coffin for the night. South Carolina refused to go away.
Their three-goal comeback started less than a minute after Little’s goal, and took until the final 100 seconds to complete.
“They really got a couple of lucky bounces there (in the third),” said Poss, “If we play that game 10 times, we win it nine times. This was the one time we didn’t get the bounces to go our way. That’s life. I can live with it, but we had to play a little more perfect to get the win.
“Tonight we were the unlucky team, but it just goes to show if you want to win the game, you have to be on it defensively every shift.”
The loss is the second in a row for the Blades (33-19) who wrap up their season-long, nine-game homestand against the Cincinnati Cyclones Wednesday night at Germain Arena.