Blades pad division lead with 4-1 win
DULUTH, Ga. – Curt Gogol, Brant Harris, Jake Baker, and Dalton Smith scored one goal apiece while goaltender Anthony Peters made 36 saves to lead the Florida Everblades (30-9-2-2, 64 pts) to a 4-1 victory over ECHL South Division rival Atlanta Gladiators (17-20-6-1, 41 pts) Friday night.
The win also gives the Everblades (30-13) a 13-point lead for the top spot in the ivision standings.
While the first period was a scoreless one for both sides, the frame was clearly controlled by the Gladiators (17-27). Outshooting the Everblades 16-5 in the opening period, Atlanta dominated for most of the opening 20 minutes. Thanks to some extremely strong play by ‘Blades Peters, the Gladiators failed to convert on any of their chances.
The Everblades came out firing, scoring the game’s opening goal just 20 seconds into the second period. Gogol made a move toward the middle of the ice before flicking the puck toward the front of goal. Bouncing off the skates of an Atlanta defenseman, the puck deflected past Gladiators goaltender Dan Vladar and headed into the net.
Atlanta tied the game thanks to a nice team effort in the attacking zone. The Gladiators gained possession and immediately rushed into the attacking zone. T.J. White sent the puck to Tyler Murovich., who cut into the slot and wristed a shot past Peters’ glove.
Wasting no time, the Everblades regained the lead just over two minutes later on a nice offensive zone push from Brant Harris and Brendan O’Donnell. O’Donnell got the puck to the onrushing Harris, who ripped a shot at the opposite corner of the net under the crossbar and into the net. O’Donnell extended his point streak to 13 games, tying a league high for this season.
The Blades doubled their lead off a solid shot by Jake Baker, who wound up and fired a wicked shot past Vladar for the goal.
Atlanta appeared determined to try and close this game in the third period. Trailing by two goals, the Gladiators were on the attack from the period’s opening faceoff. They threw everything they had at the Everblades, but Peters could not be beaten.
The Everblades took advantage of a right place, right time play to take the final 4-1 lead. Stephen MacAulay made a backhanded pass toward goal where Smith banged home his chance.
Peters made multiple highlight reel saves and was superb throughout for the Everblades, earning the win after stopping 36 of the 37 shots he faced.
The Everblades faceoff against the Gladiators again Saturday night.