Swamp Rabbits slide by Premier Eels 2-1 in Final SecondsBy: Nick Roesch
Fort Myers, FL- Swamp Rabbits forward Drew Tait-Reaume scored a pair of goals in the final moments of regulation to lift (23-10-2-1) DME Academy over the (23- 12-2-0) Florida Eels Premier team by a 2-1 score at the Fort Myers Skatium on Saturday evening.
Both teams saw golden opportunities to light the lamp early in the first period, but it was Gabe Hemstrom drawing first blood for the Eels after he drove a centering feed from Demed Podrezov over the shoulder of DME netminder Sebastien Nillson at the 12:15 marker. Nikita Pinimyasov was also given an assist on the even-strength tally.
The middle portion of play saw no scoring, but it remained eventful as the physicality kicked up from both teams. Eels starting goaltender Danick Francoeur was replaced by Viktor Paullson in net after he picked up a controversial game misconduct in the final 6 seconds of the frame.
The Swamp Rabbits came roaring back in the 3rd as Drew Tait-Reaume evened up the game at 1 apiece. With 4:41 to spare in the contest, Tait-Reaume blasted home a slapshot right off a draw from the left-wing circle with the lone assist coming from Parker York.
With 12 seconds on the clock, Parker York would eventually connect again with Tait-Reaume for the game-winning score. Leading a 2-on-2 into the offensive zone, York banged a shot onto Viktor Paullson from the far circle and Tait-Reaume fired the rebound top shelf from in between the circles to put DME Academy on top 2-1.
Sebastien Nillson played a crucial part in the Swamp Rabbits’ road victory after hestopped 44 of 45 shots faced. The Eels led 45-29 in shots on goal throughout the battle of two defenses. As a result of the victory, DME Academy has tied the Eels for 1st place in the Premier Florida division with both teams standing at 48 points on the season.
The Eels will return to action this Friday evening when they hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Juniors. The action begins at 5:15 PM with the Elite teams going at it and the Premier squads will face off afterwards at 8 PM. Those games will be available for viewing on HockeyTV.
