I missed most of the broadcast as I was out watching the Junior Everblades Midget Majors take on the Sunrise Ice Sharks.
Chas Johnston scored the game-winning goal for the Junior Blades who defeated the 0-15-0 Sharks, 8-0.
So, much of this report is taken from
Dan Gunther's write up of the game.
Former Florida defenseman
Shaun Fisher had the game-winning goal in overtime for the Greenville Grrrowl, as they slipped by the Florida Everblades 5-4.
Jonathan Roy opened the scoring batting in his own rebound at 4:28 of the first period.
Judd Medak and
Rico Fatticci assisted on the goal.
Anthony Battaglia tied the game at 1-1 with his second of the season. Battaglia received a great pass from
Joe Blaznek and made a nifty move to his backhand for the goal.
Keith Anderson also assisted on the goal. The goal was originally reported as unassisted on USA Today. Blaznek gave the Everblades the lead with a power play goal at 15:55 of the first period.
Kevin Brown and
Duane Harmer assisted on the quick wrist shot from Blaznek at point blank range of Grrrowl goaltender
Michael Garnett.
The Blades took a lead into the locker room at the end of the first.
Greenville tied the game on Roy's second of the night. Greenville had a five on three advantage, just as the first penalty expired Fisher found Roy alone on the side of the net for the easy goal.
Mikko Sivonen put the Grrrowl in front with a backhand along the net. Medak and Roy assisted. Blaznek's second of the night tied the game at 3-3. Anderson intercepted a Grrrowl pass and hit Blaznek in the slot, who found the back of the net with a wrist shot.
(This was where I joined the broadcast, btw.)
Sivonen's second of the night gave the Grrrowl a 4-3 lead. Blaznek tied the game with 17 seconds left when a puck was left loose in front of Grrrowl netminder Michael Garnett. Tom Buckley won the face off back to Duane Harmer, who fired a quick shot toward the net. The puck deflected to Blaznek who notched the hat trick with a wrist shot along the ice.
Garnett made 29 saves, including 16 in the second period, for the win.
Joe Blaznek recorded the hat trick for the Everblades, who have not lost in regulation play since November 23. Cam McCormick made 39 saves in a losing effort.
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Boxscore
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SCORE BY PERIODS
Florida 2 1 1 0--4
Greenville 1 2 1 1--5
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Greenville-Roy 12 (Medak; Fatticci) 4:28.
2, Florida-Battaglia 2 (Blaznek; Anderson) 12:19.
3, Florida-Blaznek 6 (power play) (Brown; Harmer) 15:55.
Penalties: Harmer, FLA (Slashing), 5:08.
Kerestes, FLA (Roughing), 6:48.
Fatticci, GRV (Holding), 15:11.
Kaczowka, GRV (Interference), 16:35.
Kerestes, FLA (Tripping), 19:34.
Gustafson, GRV (Hooking), 20:00.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Greenville-Roy 13 (power play) (Medak; Fisher) 7:42.
5, Greenville-Sivonen 12 (Medak; Roy) 8:40.
6, Florida-Blaznek 7 (Anderson) 9:22.
Penalties: Newman, FLA (Holding), 5:40.
Goudie, FLA (Cross checking), 7:33.
Demarski, GRV (Cross checking), 9:34.
Verdule, FLA (Holding), 13:16.
Fisher, GRV (Holding), 13:38.
Deis, GRV (Slashing), 17:02.
Meunier, FLA (Interference), 19:31.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 7, Greenville-Sivonen 13 (Roy; Medak) 4:03.
8, Florida-Blaznek 8 (Harmer; Buckley) 19:43.
Penalties: Hurley, GRV (Holding), 16:00.
OVERTIME -- Scoring: 9, Greenville-Fisher 1 (game winner) (Medak) 4:32.
Penalties: None.
SHOTS ON GOAL
Florida 5 17 11 0--33
Greenville 13 14 8 9--44
Power Play Conversions: Florida - 1 of 7, Greenville - 1 of 7.
Goalies: Florida-McCormick (44 shots, 39 saves; record: 3-1-2).
Greenville-Garnett (33 shots, 29 saves; record: 7-5-0).
A: 4,928.
Referee: Rollins.
Linesmen: Bredin; O'Brien.
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Game Notes
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Friday night I had noted that I'd had no problems picking up the Everblades Cybercast of late. Well, last night, coming in as late as I did, I had to resort to the Grrrowl's webcast.
Neither could I join the chat room, but that's likely my flakey computer acting up.
V2C was interviewed between the second and third periods, the big question being "Why are some of V2C's goal sticks in the Grrrowl locker room?" Nick denies any rumors that he's even thinking of strapping on the pads again and that one of the other goalies needs sticks, so he was loaning him some.
Florida has yet to see the player we acquired for Fisher, as Ryan Stewart remains stuck in Canada on immigration problems. I have to wonder if this is one trade Mr. Brush would like to take back.
Fleming meanwhile continues to blame the refs for the team's shortcomings:
"There was a poor decision by the referee at the end with possession of the puck with two men down -- from a high stick -- and to not blow the whistle is a little disheartening," he said. "But we're getting used to the way the officiating is, and there's nothing you can do about it but just deal with it."
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Media Links
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Fisher haunts Blades
http://www.naplesnews.com/02/12/sports/d849299a.htm>
Everblades fall 5-4 in overtime
http://vh40039.vh4.infi.net/news/sports/021215blades.html>
Grrrowl win in overtime
http://greenvilleonline.com/news/sports/2002/12/14/2002121433136.htm>
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And Finally...
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A case for Mike Shields, Jason Provino and EBUGS everywhere:
Joe Franke, 42, the Equipment Manager/Trainer of the Fort Wayne Komets Hockey Club since 1979, snagged his first pro hockey win in his first ever pro hockey appearance last night, replacing Pokey Reddick at the end of the third and picking up the win a shoot out.
Komet's Equipment Manager Nets Pro Win
http://www.sportzdomain.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=8611&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0>
