Alex Hutchings netted his second career hat-trick Friday night to lead the
Florida Everblades to a 5-3 victory over the Elmira Jackals at Germain
Arena.
Elmira was the first team to strike in a defensive first period. Darren
Kramer intercepted a pass in Florida's defensive zone and took the puck into
the slot where he fired a wrist shot that got past goalkeeper John Muse to
put the Jackals in front 1-0.
Halfway through the second period, the Jackals padded their lead with a goal
by Matt Campanale. Louie Caprusso dropped a pass back to Campanale at the
blue line and the quick slap shot sailed past Muse's glove giving Elmira a
two-goal lead.
The Blades got on the board at the 12-minute mark of the second period on a
goal by Hutchings. Taylor Ellington sent a pass behind the net to Hutchings,
who took the wrap-around shot between the pads of Elmira goaltender Marc
Cheverie.
Hutching's number was called again in the period. David Rutherford took a
shot from the slot which was stopped. Hutchings picked up the rebound and
flipped a backhander under Cheverie to tie the game 2-2.
Nearly six minutes into the third, the Everblades took the lead on the power
play. Tommi Kivisto picked up a rebound from a Justin Shugg shot and quickly
wristed the puck into the back of the net giving the Everblades their first
lead of the night 3-2.
The Blades scored their fourth unanswered goal. Mathieu Roy sent a pass
through the neutral zone to Trevor Bruess, who took the puck to the right
side circle and fired a wrist shot through the defense and past Cheverie to
increase the lead to 4-2.
Elmira pulled within one with five minutes remaining in the game. A shot by
Jack Downing bounced out of the glove and sat in front of the net. A pileup
occurred at the crease, but the puck sneaked over the goal line to make the
score 4-3.
Hutchings took advantage of a breakaway opportunity for the final goal
completing his hat-trick.
Hutchings posted his first hat-trick on Nov. 11, 2011, in a 7-2 win over
the Wheeling Nailers.
Muse earns the win stopping 34 of 37 shots faced.
The Everblades play host to the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7 p.m. Saturday at
Germain Arena.
