ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades‘ three-game home series against the Adirondack Thunder started Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. 5,438 fans cheered on the hometown Everblades to victory, 6-3.
The two teams entered the night on opposite streaks; the Everblades had lost five straight games, and the Thunder had recorded a point in 17. The Thunder also sat atop the North Division and second in the league in points, whereas the Everblades were mired in fifth place. The visiting team struck first on a goal by Tristan Ashbrook (14) at 1:42 in the first. Kyle Neuber got the Everblades going seven seconds later when he paired up against Darian Skeoch for a brawl. With the hometown crowd still cheering, the Everblades tied the game on a wrist shot from the slot by Nathan Staois (8). Mark Senden (6) would put the Everblades ahead for good at 14:12; he led the team in goals against the Thunder this season at two.
The Everblades would add two goals in the second and two in the third, setting the tone for the series. Bobo Carpenter (19) took First Star of the Game for the Everblades with three points on two goals and an assist. Shane Harper (13) led the Thunder in scoring with two goals. Cam Johnson won his thirteenth game with a .906 save percentage, and Vinnie Purpura saw his record fall to 12-2-3 with his .850 save percentage. Game two is Friday night at Hertz Arena.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside the Rink’s James Slemp for highlights from the game.
