Florida Stays Hot, Thrashes Admirals 4-1

ESTERO, FL. – The Florida Everblades (5-0-1-0) continued their impressive start to the season on Friday night, dominating the Admirals (1-6-1-0) 4-1. Florida jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first courtesy of Josh Wesley in his team debut. Just added to the active roster on Thursday from Charlotte of the American Hockey League, the right-handed defensemen drilled one from the right point that slid through a mess of skates and sticks to get his team on top early. It was only five and a half minutes later that the Admirals were able to get things back to square one though, as Alex Ranger earned his first of the year on a second effort. Paul Rodrigues and Josh Brittain earned helpers on the Quebec native’s tally, making it 1-1 to end the first. When the second period began though, it was all Everblades, as they struck three times during the frame beginning with Zack Kamrass. #37 joined his fellow blueliner Wesley in the scoring category when he drove a heavy blast from the point through traffic for a power play goal. Just 38 seconds later Florida forward Mike Ferrantino scored his first professional goal when he jammed one home in front, extending the Everblades lead to 3-1. The former Michigan State University captain’s strike came with assists from Dalton Smith and Logan Roe. Before the two teams split ways for the intermission, the home side would take the lead to three courtesy of first star Matt Berry. Admirals netminder Eetu Laurikainen made a routine save and attempted to plop his glove on top of the puck for a stoppage, however he misjudged the action and the Everblades #27 slid it home to polish off the evening’s scoring at 4-1. That would be the final straw for Laurikainen, who was yanked by head coach Rod Aldoff for the first time this season. Connor Knapp would come in and stop 14 in relief, however the Admirals offense couldn’t provide any help and the score would go final. The Admirals and Everblades will go head-to-head once again tomorrow night in Estero, beginning at 7:00 PM. You can catch all the action on ECHL.TV and on 102.1 FM The Tide, the official radio station of the Norfolk Admirals. Following tomorrow’s tilt the team will return home for Military Appreciation and Super Hero Night’s as the Manchester Monarchs and Atlanta Gladiators come to town. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and at the Norfolk Scope box office. Box Score