ECHL: Everblades Come Alive in the Third for 5-1 Win Over Icemen

JACKSONVILLE –  The Florida Everblades, who looked lethargic in Friday’s night’s loss, came alive in the third period Saturday night handing the Jacksonville Icemen a 5-1 loss before 6,231 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Everblades are one game away from advancing to the Southern Division finals in the best of seven 2019 ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs.

Blake Winiecki scored twice in the final period, his first gave the Everblades their first game lead since the series moved to Jacksonville. Grant Arnold also tallied for the visitors.

The game was tied 1-1 going into the third period.

Jacksonville’s Jake Randolph scored his first goal of the playoffs in the opening period against goaltender Callum Booth. Cam Maclise and Justin Woods got the assists.

Booth made 15 saves in his first playoff win.

Florida tied the game on Ben Masella’s lamp lighter in the second period.

Ken Appleby started in the nets for Jacksonville. Appleby was pulled at the 5:59 mark and Masella scored in an open net. Appleby finished with 20 saves,

The series now moves to Estero Monday night with Jacksonville needing to win both contests to advance.

GAME NOTES: The winners of the series will face Orlando in the next round. The Solar Bears eliminated South Carolina Saturday night four games to one with a 5-2 win in North Charleston….Florida is still without All-Star Joe Cox, who had 61 points in 55 games during the regular season. In the second game of the playoffs in Estero, Cox was skating back in the Blades’ zone to retrieve the puck, and with his back turned. Jacksonville captain Garet Hunt barreled into him on the boards. Hunt was suspended for five games….Winiecki now has three goals in the playoffs.