Everbladestake two of three from Colorado
The ECHL South Division-leading Florida Everblades took two of three games in Loveland, Colo., from the Colorado Eagles over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to remain ahead of second-place South Carolina in the standings.
The Blades (14-7) return to the ice Wednesday night in Boise to start a three-game set against the Idaho Steelheads (6-14). The Blades recently defeated the Steelheads twice at Germain Arena.
Defenseman Justin Agosta was returned to the Blades on Tuesday by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL who also recalled forward Carter Sandlak. Forward Mike Aviani was released from his contract with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) only to be signed by the Iowa Wild (AHL).
The Blades shut out the Eagles in their first two meetings, 3-0 and 2-0, before dropping the final game of the series Saturday night 5-1.
In Saturday’s series finale, Darryl Bootland scored twice and goaltender Kris Lazaruk saved 32 of 33 shots he faces to lead the Eagles to a 5-1 victory over the Blades. The entire series put the spotlight on goaltending as Florida’s Anthony Peters (30 saves) and Daniel Altshuller (21 saves) posted back-to-back shutouts. At the time it extended the Blades’ hot streak to eight wins in 10 games with three shutouts.
The Eagles took their first lead of the series at 9:45 into the first period Saturday. Forward Jake Marto forced a turnover and a quick pass to the front of the net was buried by Trent Daavettila for a 1-0 Eagles lead.
The Eagles scored twice via the power play to take a 3-0 lead after two period.
The third period wasn’t much better for the Everblades, who gave up the puck on the opening faceoff and Kyle Kraemer found the back of the net only 12 seconds into the period. Colorado later added a fifth goal by Bootland.
In Peters’ shuotout win Wednesday the Blades began to gain momentum in the second period. The breakthrough came at the 8:35 mark when Carter Sandlak’s outlet pass found Ethan Werek, who took advantage of his speed to gain a 2-on-1 Gabriel Desjardins hurled the puck to the left wing where Matt Willows met and buried the puck for his sixth goal of the season.
Colorado pulled its goaltender in the final minutes. and the Blades took advantage as Corey Syvret scored to produce the 3-0 win.
Friday night, Willows and Evan Bloodoff both scored to lead the 2-0 victory.