The Florida Everblades extended their winning streak to seven games Wednesday night, but needed overtime and a shootout to beat the Greenville Road Warriors 3-2 at Germain Arena.

“It was a big win, especially since we haven’t had good success against (Greenville) this year,” said Everblades coach Greg Poss.

Neither team disappointed in the first season matchup in Southwest Florida between the South Division rivals. It’s the first of three straight games here, and four straight overall, that could dictate control of the division for the remainder of the season.

The Everblades’ penalty killers came up big in the opening 20 minutes, killing off three Greenville power play chances.

After a scoreless first period, the first goal of the night came early in the second period when the hot-handed Matthew Pistilli notched his 14th goal of the year. It sent a message that the Everblades are a different team on home ice.

The offensive output picked up in the second period as both teams scored. Greenville’s Justin Bowers tied the game 4:30 into the period, beating Blades netminder Bobby Goepfert (27 saves).

“I’m not sure what happened there,” said Goepfert. “It had to be a great shot because I know I took away most of the angles at the net he just squeezed it in.”

Florida had an answer when Jared Staal stuffed home a rebounded shot by Mathieu Roy to lift the Blades into the lead.

Division-leading Greenville (16-6-1-1) refused to leave without getting at least a point in the standings and tied the game 2-2 with less than five minutes to go in regulation.

After a scoreless overtime, the Everblades (16-9) won it in a shootout, using goals by Mitch Fadden, Francis Lemieux and Matthew Pistilli. Goepfert held the Warriors to two goals in five opportunities.

The Blades closed the gap in the standings to two points (34-32).

The Everblades and Road Warriors go at it again Friday and could see the teams trade places in the South Division standings.