Everblades fall 2-1 to Wranglers in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals - The News-Press

See photos of Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals here

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. â€" The ringing of puck hitting cross bar still could be echoing in the Florida Everblades’ ears this morning.

In the Everblades’ 2-1 loss to Las Vegas on Monday in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup at Orleans Arena, Florida players had four shots hit off the post, including one by forward Justin Shugg in the final seconds.

“I tipped (Ryan) Donald’s shot to the left side of me,” Shugg said. “It hit direct, you know? If it changes a little, an inch one way. …”

Everblades coach Greg Poss had a smaller measurement in mind.

“It’s a game of millimeters,” Poss said. “With a couple of more breaks, it’s a different result and that’s why we can’t get too distraught.”

Forward Eric Lampe, who considered signing with the Everblades this season, had a goal and an assist to lead the Wranglers.

Game 2 is tonight at Orleans Arena.

The general feeling among the Florida players is that this game reminded them of Game 1 against Elmira â€" a 3-1 loss â€" that they had a lot of chances and that they shouldn’t deviate from what they did.

“It’s always frustrating when pucks don’t go in,” forward Mike Ratchuk said. “You just have to stay even keel, stick to the game plan and shoot from everywhere. Even when pucks aren’t going in, it’s just a matter of not changing what you’re doing.”

Ratchuk, the team’s 10th forward, had the team’s only goal with 2 minutes left. While Las Vegas coach Ryan Mougenel said his team got caught puck looking, Ratchuk said he benefited from the Wranglers focusing on Marquardt.

“I did as little as possible,” Ratchuk said. “They pulled (goalie John Muse) and I darted to the net. They were all staring at Marquardt and he put it on the tape.”

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After a night of frustration, the Everblades still felt they could tie the game.

“When you get the first one, the more possible it becomes, you know?,” Ratchuk said.

In a harbinger of things to come, Florida controlled the first 10 minutes. Among the top scoring chances was a Matt Beca shot that hit the post.

“In the first 10 minutes, they looked like the Red Army (Soviet hockey team) and we watched them do what they wanted to do,” Mougenel said. “We weathered the storm and did a good job of responding.”

Peter Mac Arthur’s goal gave Las Vegas a 1-0 lead with 6:17 left in the first period. The Wranglers now are 9-0 when scoring first in the playoffs.

Lampe’s goal with 6:26 left in the second made it 2-0.

“I threw the puck at the net,” he said. “I think it hit the back of his stick when he slapped at it. It bounced around and went into the back of the net. A lucky bounce.”

Muse called it a “a bad goal on my part.”

It bounced over the side of the net, it went over my leg and it went in,” he added.

Also experiencing a frustrating night was Marquardt who had two shots hit the post while Las Vegas goalie Joe Fallon made a nice save from a shot in close.

“We’ll just have to roll up our sleeves and work harder tomorrow night,” he said.