'Blades Glide By Glads, 7-2

DULUTH -- The Florida Everblades flooded the Gladiators with goals in the second period, after an evenly matched first period, to take the win on Sunday afternoon, 7-2. Greg Carey scored both of the Gladiators' goals, while Matt Marquardt and Brant Harris each grabbed two goals for the opposition.

In their final meeting of the season, the Gladiators and Everblades had themselves a neck-and-neck battle in the first period. The Everblades struck first, before some fans could even find their seats, at 1:02 when Matt Marquardt found the net just under the crossbar.

However, only five minutes later, the Gladiators answered the 'Blades. On Gwinnett's first power play of the game, the Gladiators trickled the puck down the ice, from Joe Stejskal at the right point, to Brenden Walker at the half-board, and Greg Carey in the low circle. Carey shot the puck right into Andy Iles, and the puck rebounded right back to him, just outside the right side of the crease. Carey found net the second time around, at 5:59.

At 10:14, the home team would take the lead on an impressive dance through the neutral zone by Garry Nunn. Nunn juked out the only defender in his way, and headed straight towards the goal, sliding the puck right across the front of the net to Carey who was waiting all alone backdoor, making it two for number 12. The Everblades did not let up, and evened the score at 12:07. Lee got a piece of the puck after Chris Kushneriuk shot it to his left side. Although the puck was misdirected, it slowly trickled in hugging the post.

The floodgates opened for the Everblades in the second period, as they tallied four unanswered goals to take a solid lead. Florida first took the lead during a power play on Cameron Burt's hard slapshot from out in the left faceoff at 7:31.

Just 30 seconds later, the 'Blades found themselves back on the scoreboard on a very controversial play when Rob Florentino split two Gladiator defenders with a pass to the deep right side of the crease, where Adam Brace knocked the puck off his skate and into the open net.

When referee Stephen Thomson refused to talk to Gladiators head coach Andy Brandt to explain the goal, Brandt blew a gasket and Thomson teed him up for a bench minor. On the ensuing power play, the Everblades capitalized on yet another power play at 9:15, when Marquardt found net for the second time in the game.

Brant Harris made it six for the opposition at 10:45, on shot from the right faceoff circle, and also sealed Lee's fate. Mark Guggenberger took over goaltending duties for the remainder of the game immediately following Harris' goal. Florida struck four times in a matter of 3:15 in the middle of the period.

The third period took a quiet turn, as neither team was able to make much progress. Florida only added one to their total at 10:28 on yet another goal by Harris. The Gladiators outshot the Everblades 12 to 8 in the period, and 32 to 28 overall, but were unable to finish the efforts they put forth.

The Gladiators' next game is Friday, March 13th, at 7:35 p.m. when they take on the South Carolina Stingrays for the final time at home this season. Come and enjoy another Friendly Friday, which offers an all-inclusive special featuring a ticket plus food and drink.