The grind it out style of hockey that Florida Everblades coach Greg Poss talked about preseason was in full effect Saturday night. The Everblades needed every bit of grit they could muster in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Gwinnett Gladiators at Germain Arena.

“I thought we did a really good job of killing penalties,” said Poss. “In the third period we had some really good scoring chances. Both of these games were very close, it was good hockey all weekend, and if we can get three out of four points every weekend then we are doing good.”

The Everblades defense set the tone early playing tight, allowing the Gladiators very few open looks at netminder John Muse, who was making his first professional start.

Despite the stout defensive play, Gwinnett took advantage of its only quality scoring chance of the opening frame 8 1/2 minutes in, when Muse was beaten over his shoulder, one-on-one by Justin Milo. The defensive let down was brief for the Everblades, who immediately went back on the attack.

Following three minutes of solid pressure late into the first period, Robbie Dee fired a perfect pass across the front of the Gladiators net to Luc Tardif skating on his wing. Tardif fired the shot home, tying the game at 1-1.

Sloppy play by the Everblades in the second period nearly cost them as the home team handed the Gladiators four power-play chances, but Muse (33 saves) was there every time they needed him, controlling rebounds and stopping any bouncing pucks that came his way.

“I was really seeing the puck well,” said Muse. “I thought the defense did a real good job limiting shots to the outside. I’m happy we got a point, but I’m a winner. I think everybody in this locker room would prefer we had won tonight.”

Goaltending dominated the remainder of regulation between the division rivals, forcing a stalemate that would last through overtime and into the shootout that would take extra rounds for the Everblades to lose, but still come away with a point in the standings in the young season.

The Blades (1-0-1) hit the road next week for a nine-game, three-week road trip before returning to Germain Arena on Nov. 9.

Everblades Record: 1-0-1

Home: 1-0-1 Away: 0-0 Streak: L-1

Friday’s Game

Everblades 3, Gwinnett Gladiators 2

Saturday’s Game

Gwinnett Gladiators 2, Everblades 1 (SO)

Upcoming Games

Fri. Oct. 21 – at Elmira, 7:35 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 22 – at Trenton, 7 p.m.

Sun. Oct. 23 – at Reading, 4:05 p.m.