After losing Game 2 in nail-biting fashion, the Colorado Eagles traveled to Florida for the first game of their three-game road swing of the Kelly Cup Finals, and retake the series lead with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Florida Everblades.
In the win, Eagles forwards Ryan Olsen and Michael Joly finished the night with two-point performances, with Joly extending his point total to 23 points through the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Eagles goaltender Joe Cannata made 30 saves in the victory, and the Eagles special teams continued to improve as they would go 2-for-6 on the powerplay.
Despite the Everblades scoring the first goal of the game three minutes into the opening frame, the Eagles quickly bounced back with three goals of their own from Eagles forward Matt Garbowsky, Joly, and Travis Barron.
Momentum shifted, however, as the Everblades scored two goals to close out the first period tied up at 3-3.
With a large goal margin in the first period, the second period was the complete opposite — as Everblades forward Stephen MacAulay was the lone goal scorer in the period.
In the final frame, the tight-contest between these two powerhouse teams continued. Trailing by a goal, the Eagles were in desperate need of a goal to avoid trailing in the Kelly Cup Final series 2-1 to the Everblades. With this in mind, the Eagles found the game-tying goal from forward Ryan Olsen at the 10:50 mark.
Ryan Olsen out of mid air!!!
We're tied at 4 with 9:10 left in the 3rd period!#EaglesCountry #DefendTheCup pic.twitter.com/QBbIFgiKg2— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) May 31, 2018
Little did he know it, but Olsen would continue to be a difference maker, as he also scored the game-winning goal off of a nifty tip in front of the Everblades net to give the Eagles the victory, and the series lead.
Ryan Olsen with the clutch gene for @ColoradoEagles tonight! Olsen had the tying goal in the third period and the GWG in OT.
Eagles defeat @FL_Everblades 5-4 to take a 2-1 series lead in the #KellyCupFinals
Game Recap: https://t.co/mX6RGA3iFA pic.twitter.com/6w8qFxXjDl
— ECHL (@ECHL) May 31, 2018
Next up, the Eagles and Everblades face off Friday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. MT in Florida for Game 4 of the Kelly Cup Finals. Two more wins and Colorado is back-to-back champions.