Blades double-up Beast
Being the Florida Everblades’ unquestioned number one goaltender seems to suit Anthony Peters pretty well.
Peters turned aside 36 of 38 shots to lead Florida to a 4-2 victory over the Brampton Beast Wednesday night at Germain Arena.
“He played really well,” Everblades coach Greg Poss said. “Which is good because we definitely gave up more scoring chances than we have been. We had to kind of scramble to win that game. Sometimes you have to win games that way. We were fortunate to capitalize on our chances.”
Corey Cowick scored twice for the Blades, winner in the first game of a six-game homestand. Brampton and Florida played for the first time since the Beast joined the ECHL a year ago. The teams meet again at Germain Arena on Friday and Saturday.
The Blades, leading the ECHL South Division and first in the Eastern Conference, have eight wins in their last 11 games. Brampton, last in the North Division, has played better of late, having earned points in eight of their last 10 games before Wednesday.
“We need to be better defensively,” Poss said. “We only gave up two goals, but we gave up too many scoring chances.”
Peters got a workout in goal. The Beast outshot the Blades 26-15 over the first two periods and 38-22 for the game.
“We were able to weather the storm,” Peters said. “My job is to give the guys a chance.”
Peters, who split time in goal with Daniel Altshuller for the first portion of the season, has had plenty of work since Altshuller’s December callup to Charlotte of the AHL. Poss gave Peters his eighth consecutive start Wednesday.
“It’s great. Anytime you’re out here you want to play hockey,” Peters said. “When you’re not, you’re supportive of your teammate. If opportunities arise you’re ready. It’s fun coming to the rink every day when you get a chance to play.”
The Everblades didn’t shoot often, but made the most of their opportunities.
The Beast were outshooting the Blades 10-2 in the second period when Cowick’s seventh goal of the season gave Florida a 3-1 lead. Corey Syvret and Matt Corrente assisted.
Peters made a huge mistake with 3:31 left in the second period, mishandling the puck and giving an easy first goal of the season to Brampton’s Tim Bozon. That cut Florida’s lead to 3-2.
“The second goal, I gave up a tough goal there,” Peters said. “It was my fault. I bobbled the puck. I had a lot of confidence in the guys. They don’t get down. It feels good for a goalie any time you give up a bad goal that the guys have got your back.”
Blades defenseman Justin Agosta made it 4-2 for Florida 8:37 into the third period. Brant Harris and Matt Marquardt assisted on Agosta’s seventh goal this season.
Brampton pulled goalie Trevor Cann for the final minute, but a Beast penalty with about 15 seconds to go ended any chance to cut the margin. Cann played for the Blades two seasons ago.
The Everblades led 2-1 after the first.
Maxime St. Cyr broke in alone on Cann and scored on a low shot six minutes into the game. Brendan O’Donnell’s pass put St. Cyr in business for his third goal of the season.
Cowick put the Blades up 2-1 with 7:07 left in the first period, putting in the rebound of Matt Willows’ shot. Ryan Martindale also assisted.
“We had guys do what they had to do,” Poss said. “Cowick played very well. St. Cyr has had some scoring chances in games, but he finished it tonight which was good to see.”
Chris O’Shea got the Beast on the board early. Gabriel Desjardins was sent to the penalty box just over two minutes into the game, and O’Shea fired a shot home from near the blue line with only 2:22 off the clock.
Peters earned himself a two-minute penalty in the third period for tripping. O’Donnell served the minor penalty.
A brawl with 6:25 left in the second period earned Corrente and Brampton’s Stephon Thorne each five minutes for fighting.