ECHL: Everblades lose again in OT

For the fourth time in their last five games, the Florida Everblades needed extra time Friday night to reach a decision, losing 6-5 in a shootout to the host San Diego Gulls. Florida has yet to win an overtime or shootout game this season.

Billy Tibbets, a skilled forward with NHL experience who is in San Diego on a rehab assignment, scored the only goal in the shootout for the Gulls (3-1-1), beating Everblades goalie Rob Zepp high over his glove. Tibbets also scored in regulation.

Keith Anderson, the ECHL's leading scorer, did all he could to try to lead Florida (5-2-3) to the victory. He scored two goals to set a franchise record for the longest consecutive goal scoring streak at eight games. He now has 11 goals on the season.

Zepp remained unbeaten in regulation, stopping 38 of 43 shots, including one big save late in the third period to help send the game to overtime.

Zepp is now 2-0-3 on the season.

The Everblades held on to a portion of first place in the Eastern Conference's Southern Division with the point earned for ending regulation in a tie. They have 13 points, the same amount as the Columbia Inferno.

Florida and San Diego meet again tonight at 10:05 inside the San Diego Sports Arena, then the Everblades end their five-game West Coast trip in Bakersfield on Sunday.

In addition to Anderson, Brent McDonald, Brian McCullough and Reggie Berg scored for Florida, who trailed 3-1 and 4-2 in the second period and 5-4 in the third but managed to come back each time.

Samy Nasreddine scored twice for San Diego, and Sandro Sbrocco and Miguel Deslisle each added a goal.

Gulls netminder Trevoe Koenig turned away 34 of the 38 shots he faced to pick up the victory.

Berg and defenseman Ian Forbes both took hard hits in Friday night's game and are out indefinitely, the team said Saturday. Berg has a concussion and Forbes has a sore back.