Re-Cap: Everblades vs. Gladiators (12/21/10)

You probably couldn't have chosen a better team to come into town than the Gladiators. Their seventh game losing streak has put them in a tough position. Unfortunately for them, the Everblades saw some beneficial players come back from the AHL just in time to hand their eighth loss in a row.


(How horrible are these pads?)

The play was mostly back and forth for the early half of the first period. That all ended when Mitch Fadden got one past the Glads goalie. The Gladiators responded right back scoring 26 seconds later. three minutes after that, the Everblades took the lead once again with a goal from Matt Beca, his fourth of the year. The period was pretty uneventful up until the closing minutes of the period when one of the Gladiators sent Mike McKenzie awkwardly into the boards. The offending Gladiator ended up receiving a five minute major for boarding. Unfortunately, Matt Pistilli, was called for tripping 20 seconds later. Neither team was able to convert on the brief four on four before the period ended. The teams left the ice with the Everblades up 2-1 on the Gladiators.

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After the four on four was completed, the Blades went back on the power play. They weren't able to convert on the remaining time. Shortly after the completion of the five minute major, the Everblades gave the Gladiators a power play thanks to a slashing call on Mitch Fadden. It ended up working in the Blades favor as a fumble from the Gladiators goalie led to an unassisted short handed goal for Matt Beca. I only wish I had been able to get it on video because there really is no way to describe how hilarious that goal was. The goal really took the wind out of the Glads sails, and you could see them almost give up after that. Mike McKenzie's goal a few minutes later made the Blades lead even more comfortable.


(This is right before he scores!)

Obviously, the Gladiators weren't happy about what was happening and they started getting stupid. Mere seconds after McKenzie's goal Evgeny Timkin got involved in a weird series of events. As he was skating through the neutral zone, he got checked in a weird way that sent him cartwheeling to the ice. Just as he got to his feet behind the Gladiators defense, the puck appeared almost magically next to him. He then took of on a breakaway that ended up being unsuccessful. As he was about to get on the bench, the Glad that had checked him went up to him and shoved him from behind. The ensuing fight was pretty even and they were eventually pulled apart. Here's a one angle of the fight, I'll have mine up on Saturday:



When all was said and done, the period ended with the Blades up 4-1 on the Gladiators.

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Things calmed down a lot for the third and the Gladiators even managed to slip one five-hole on Jaroslav Janus in the opening minutes of the period. Unfortunately for the Gladiators, they then proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot by taking three penalties, including a too many men, in a row. The Everblades, who seem to be struggling on the power play lately, couldn't convert on any of the chances. With seven minutes to go, the Gladiators seemed to wake up. They put some really intense pressure on the Everblades. The Blades put in a great defensive effort and held the Glads off for the rest of the period, even when they pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. The final score was 4-2, the game sheet is here.



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Some thoughts:
- Matt Beca had an amazing night. Two goals, including his short handed unassisted game winner, and one assist

- I hate to say this, but Timkin and Pistilli shouldn't have received one of the three stars over McKenzie or Fadden.

- This might be a crazy idea, but why not let the fans text in votes for the three stars? The local media (or at least two of the three local media) tends to miss more often than not.

- I'm really liking the new guy Ed Snetsinger. Of course, all a defenseman has to do to earn my love is shot blocking, and he did tons of that last night.

- Paquet didn't play last night because of his two game suspension. Hutchings, Egener, and Reid are all injured. I have no idea why Imbeault didn't dress, I would rather he have played then some of the guys on the ice.

- The Blades were 0-8 on the power play. It's been struggling lately, which is odd considering they had one of the best in the league.

- Mitch Fadden had been held off the board for two games, but is goal last night gave him a six point lead in the ECHL scoring race.

-Bobby Goepfert has a new mask and new pads! The mask has the Everblades logo on it, and his pads are all white. Someone likes it down here...

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The Blades take on the Gladiators again tonight. Their still doing the buy one ticket get one for a kid under twelve free offer as well as the usual Wednesday deals.. If you stick around after the game you can skate with the team and Santa Clause. also, if you have some extra money on you, consider entering the fan club or peewee Everblades raffles. The money goes to a good cause, and you might win something like I did last night. I'm now the proud owner of a signed Mike Egener stick (and a dancing alligator in a Santa suit). The thing is taller than me, and I almost couldn't get it in my car, but it's awesome!