GWINNETT, Ga  –  The Florida Everblades started their weekend with a shootout loss in Gwinnett against the Gladiators.  They did earn a big road point that may help them to get back on track.  Their next stop is in Charleston when they take on the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday.

The first period saw pretty level play from both the Blades and the Gladiators.  When the buzzer sounded at the end of one, both teams went into the locker room scoreless.

Florida drew first blood as they scored just 48 seconds into the second period.  Brayden Irwin gave the Blades their first goal and the lead.  About four minutes later Florida’s Mathieu Roy doubled the score.  After the halfway point of the second, Gwinnett started their own rally.  Bryan Brutlag picked up a rebound and earned a power play goal.  The Gladiators tied the game about a minute later as Dallas Jackson found the back of Florida’s net.  Towards the end of the period, the Blades regained their lead courtesy of Alex Hutchins, who just returned tonight for the first time since November.  Florida led 3-2 at the end of two.

Gwinnett jumped out and tied the game five minutes into the third with Paul Flache’s slap shot on Pat Nagle.  The regulation scoring was over then and at the end of three periods of play the score was tied 3-3.

The move to overtime did not produce any goals so the game was to be decided in a shootout.

Gwinnett had shootout scores by Brad Miller, Joey Haddad and Pat Gallivan.  Florida’s lone goal was from David Rutherford.

Florida’s next game is in Charleston South Carolina vs. the Stingrays on Saturday February 11^th.

Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com