Blades finish western trip 4-2
BOISE, Idaho – Matt Willows scored twice while Anthony Peters stopped 33 shots to lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads Saturday night to close out a six-game western road trip with a 4-2 mark.
The Everblades (16-8) quickly opened the scoring, netting their first goal at the 4:44 mark of the first period. Kevin Lynch used a cross-ice pass to find Matt Willows open on the right wing. A quick wrist shot to the short side of the net beat Idaho goaltender Maxime Lagace for a 1-0 Everblades lead.
Florida added to its lead late in the first period courtesy of Mark Nemec’s first goal of the season. The defenseman carried the puck along the boards before dropping the puck back to Ryan Martindale who placed a wrist shot on goal. Saved initially, Nemec picked up the rebound and lifted the puck past the outstretched Lagace.
The Steelheads (7-16) answered back in the first 39 seconds of the second period. Two Blades penalties near the end of the first period allowed Idaho go 5-on-3. Closing in on the net, Brandon Magee fired a slap-shot past Peters to bring Teddy Bears raining down onto the ice on Idaho’s annual Teddy Bear toss night.
Some tremendous saves by Peters kept the score at 2-1 in favor of the Blades after that. Peppering Peters with 14 shots, Idaho was in full control as the game entered the third period.
As each minute ticked away, so did Idaho’s chances of tying the game. Unable to beat Peters, Idaho was forced to pull its goaltender in favor of an extra attacker. The move did not pay off as a turnover in the neutral zone led to Corey Cowick finding Willows for an empty net goal to seal it in the final minute.
Peters picks up the win in goal for the Blades, stopping 33 of the 34 shots he faced.
The Everblades return home to Germain Arena Wednesday night to begin a three-game series against the Reading Royals.