Photo Courtesy of the Florida Everblades [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bffabf54-fac1-4036-91f4-d2a752cf5048.avif] Photo Courtesy of the Florida Everblades The Eastern Conference Finals is now a brand-new series. After dropping the first two games in Estero, the Florida Everblades [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/game-day/four-goal-third-period-lifts-florida-to-comeback-victory-over-lions]have taken the last two in Trois-Rivieres to even the best-of-seven series with the Lions [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/trois-rivieres-takes-2-0-series-lead-over-everblades-in-eastern-conference-finals]at 2-2. Their latest victory was a 4-0 shutout Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,462 at Colisee Videotron. It’s no surprise the three-time defending Kelly Cup champs are refusing to go down without a fight. They picked up right where they left off from Game 3, when they roared back from a 2-0 deficit to score four unanswered goals in the third period. For the first time in the series, Florida struck first. Two nights after Alex Kile registered four third-period points, two other Kyles, Neuber and Betts, scored a pair of first-period goals for a 2-0 Everblades lead. Neuber’s was his second goal of the series and the post-season, and it came at the 6:27 mark. Betts’ fifth of the playoffs came on the power play just over seven minutes later. Isaac Nurse gave Florida its biggest lead of the series in the middle frame, as his second goal of the post-season made the score 3-0 at the 7:26 mark. Luke Cavallin made a number of key saves to keep the game where it was, but the Lions decided to exercise a mercy pull, removing him to begin the third period in favor of Hunter Jones. Florida added one more goal, as Craig Needham blasted home the Blades’ second power-play goal of the night to extend the lead to 4-0 just 3:32 into the final frame. That’s how the game ended, as the Everblades have now ensured there will be a Game 6 in Estero. Besides the four different goal scorers, Logan Lambdin was a force in the playmaking department, recording assists on the Betts and Nurse goals for a two-point night. Cam Johnson, who is third in the post-season with a 1.49 goals-against average, stopped all 30 shots he faced, with 16 of those coming in the final period. It was Johnson’s second clean sheet of the playoffs and 13th of his ECHL post-season career. The Lions can still get control of the series at home, with Game 5 taking place Saturday afternoon in Trois-Rivières. Puck drop is set for 3 Pm ET. Game 6 will be at Hertz Arena in Estero Tuesday night, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 Pm ET. Florida would also host a Game 7 if necessary Wednesday at that same time.
