Everblades look for edge against Nailers
Wheeling did it, now it’s Florida’s turn.
As the ECHL Eastern Conference rivals take to the ice Wednesday in Wheeling, W.Va., for Game 3 of their best-of-seven playoff series, the Florida Everblades look to take back home-ice advantage after losing it in Friday’s Game 1 at Germain Arena.
The Nailers clobbered the Everblades 6-3 in the first game of the series with a four-goal first period that gave Wheeling an advantage it would not relinquish.
“In the playoffs you have to have a real short memory,” Everblades coach Greg Poss said. “Whether you win a game or lose a game. You think about it for five minutes, then you’ve got to forget it and move on to the next one.”
Wheeling, the fifth seed, erased the Blades’ home ice advantage in the best-of-seven series with the win.
The Blades responded with a 4-1 victory Saturday night in Game 2 to send the serried to Wheeling deadlocked at 1-1. With the next three games in Wheeling, the Nailers potentially could close out the series at home unless the Everblades (47-27) can win at least one of the three to bring the series back to Germain Area.
Game 3 is 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. The series continues on Friday and Saturday. It it returns to Germain Arena, Games 4 and 5 are April 25 and 27 if necessary.
“These guys want to win badly and it showed in their effort tonight,” Blades coach Greg Poss said after the series-tying win Saturday. “Now it’s a best-of-five series. We’re going to Wheeling and they’re a real good home team. It’ll be a challenge for everybody.”
Everblades goalie An-thony Peters, pulled in Game 1 after giving up four goals on 10 shots, got the win in Game 2 with 20 saves on 21 shots.
The Blades broke out on top with 16:02 to play in the second period. Ryan Martin-dale put a rebound into an almost empty net for the power-play score. Shots by Danny New and Matt Wil-lows had pulled Palazzese to one side of the net, giving Martindale a big target for the putback.
Willows followed at 13:11 with a second goal set up by a pass dropped back into the slot by Ethan We-rek. Rookie Chase Golightly picked up an assist.
A scramble in front of the net resulted in a goal by Jon DiSalvatore for a 3-0 Florida lead with 9:05 left in the second. Greg Gibson and Werek got the assists.
The Everblades got the capper with 1:09 to play on captain Matt Marquardt’s power-play goal. Martindale and New assisted.