The Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks faced off in a pivotal Game 5 in Estero on Friday Night. Both sides got off to a slow start, as neither side got a shot on goal until nearly eight and a half minutes into the game. The Mavericks got the game’s opening shot on goal while on a four-minute powerplay. It would be the Everblades who would get on the board first, as Oliver Chau would take a shot from the circle that beat Jack LaFontaine and gave the Everblades a 1-0 lead after the opening frame despite being outshot 10-4 in the period. It wouldn’t take Florida long to double their lead as just 45 seconds in; Cole Moberg would take a shot from the point that would go off Joe Pendenza’s shin pad and in. It would need a second look by the refs, but the goal would stay on the board. Kansas City would be able to cut the lead in half as Nolan Walker fed Justin MacPherson for a one-timer for his first pro goal at the 6:36 mark of the middle frame. MacPherson was the one lineup change that the Mavericks made in Game 4.
“Ya, feels good obviously there’s a bigger picture here we would like to have gotten getting the win but getting my first feels good”
Kansas City Mavericks Defenceman Justin MacPherson on his first pro goal
Heading into the third period, the Everblades once again would get a quick goal out of the gate as Will Reilly put one where mama hides the cookies to give the Everblades a 3-1 lead. Bobo Carpenter would add an empty-net goal, and Cam Johnson would make 17 saves as the Florida Everblades are just one win away from becoming the first team in ECHL History to win three straight Kelly Cup Championships.
“Big turning point, right? we came out against a really great power-play and we were undiscilpined, care less with our stick, our PK was good enough and then the short-handed goal you could argue that was the turning point in the game, not exactly the start we wanted but it was
Head Coach Brad Ralph on the Oliver Chau S
