The Florida Everblades defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 2-0 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., to split the two-game series. Isaac Nurse scored the late first-period goal, and Cam Johnson stopped all 21 shots for his 22nd career regular-season ECHL shutout. Florida outshot Greenville 39-21 in the game.
Nurse opened the scoring at 18:32 of the first period from the low slot on a feed from Mark Senden. Jordan Sambrook recorded a secondary assist on Nurse’s third goal of the season. Nurse scored for the second consecutive night and found the net in both games Florida played in Greenville.
The Everblades controlled the opening period with a 13-4 advantage in shots, including an 8-0 edge through the first 10:27. Johnson kept Greenville off the scoreboard by stopping all four shots he faced in the period. He also denied a shorthanded breakaway by Jake Percival with 6:48 remaining in the opening frame.
Florida carried its 1-0 lead through the second period after winning the shot battle 15-9. Mark Senden hit the post with less than two minutes remaining, and Maleek McGowan could not convert the rebound. The Everblades took the one-goal advantage into the second intermission.
Florida outshot Greenville 11-8 in the third period and held the lead deep into the frame. Continued pressure prevented Greenville goaltender Owen Flores from leaving for an extra attacker until 30 seconds remained. Max Graham then scored into the empty net in the closing seconds for his first goal as an Everblade, with Cole Moberg recording an assist for the second consecutive game.
Johnson adds another milestone
Johnson recorded his second shutout in six games this season. His 22 career regular-season ECHL shutouts rank third in league history, and he is three shutouts shy of the league record. Johnson is the reigning Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week.
Sambrook extended his point streak to three games with his assist on Nurse’s goal. He has four points during that stretch, including one goal and three assists. Sambrook has recorded at least one point in five of six games this season.
The Everblades and Swamp Rabbits will not meet again until 2027. Their next meeting in the 10-game season series will be a three-game set at Hertz Arena beginning Jan. 6. Florida will next return to the Upstate for a three-in-three series beginning Feb. 11.
FSB Take
Florida’s series split was built on a strong territorial advantage, as the Everblades outshot Greenville in all three periods. Nurse supplied the only goal Florida needed before Graham added insurance in the closing seconds. Johnson’s shutout gave the Everblades another dependable performance in net while moving him closer to the ECHL career record.
Source: Original report