The Elmira Jackals trailed in the first minute of Game 1 of their American Conference Quarterfinal series against the Florida Everblades on Tuesday night at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla. and never led, dropping the series opener, 4-3. The Everblades lead the best-of-five series 1-0.

Ryan Lang scored the series' first goal just 39 seconds into the action. Brad Zanon's shot from the left circle was deflected on the way toward the net, rolled into the crease and was pushed over the goal line by Lang to give the Everblades the early advantage.

At 16:04 of the first period, Eric Lampe's sharp-angle shot from the left side deflected off of goaltender Chris Holt's pad and into the net to up the Everblades' lead to 2-0.

After an Everblades goal near the midway point of the second period was waved off due to an offsides call, Brendan Connolly gave the Jackals their first playoff goal at 9:19. Keegan Dansereau banked the puck off the glass and into the offensive zone and Connolly took the puck in the left circle and shot it past the glove of Everblades goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu to bring the Jackals to within one.

It appeared the Jackals would get into the second intermission trailing by one goal, but Scott Hotham's wrist shot from the slot at 19:59 gave the Everblades a 3-1 advantage to close the middle frame.

Maxime Gratchev scored his professional playoff goal at 17:51 of the third period with Holt pulled to bring the Jackals back to within one goal. Yannick Tifu's shot from the right circle was tipped by Connolly and came to Gratchev on the left goal line who knocked it past Beckford-Tseu to make it 3-2 Everblades.

Elgin Reid added an empty-net goal at 18:57 with a shot from the neutral zone to give the Everblades a two-goal lead again.

Yannick Tifu scored a goal at 19:27 of the third to make it 4-3, taking a backdoor feed from Olivier Proulx and finding the net on a six-on-four power play with the net empty, but the Jackals did not register another shot and fell to the Everblades in the opening game of the postseason.

Holt fell to 0-1 in the playoffs, stopping 23 of 26 Everblades shots. Beckford-Tseu made 24 saves on 27 shots to improve to 1-0.

The Jackals and the Everblades battle in Game 2 on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m in Estero, Fla.

The Jackals will host the Everblades on Friday, Apr. 9 at 7:35 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 10 at 7:35 p.m., and Sunday, Apr. 11 at 4:05 p.m.

Individual game tickets for the playoffs are on sale to the general public. Tickets for each playoff game cost $20, $15, and $14 depending on seat location. When sales open for individual tickets, fans may call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or click here to log onto First Arena's page on Ticketmaster.com.

The Elmira Jackals: Ten Years in the Twin Tiers

UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS

JACKALS PLAYOFF HOCKEY

Elmira vs. Florida

Round One, Kelly Cup Playoffs

Game 3

Friday, April 9

7:35 p.m.

Elmira vs. Florida

Round One, Kelly Cup Playoffs

Game 4 (If Necessary)

Saturday, April 10

7:35 p.m.

Elmira vs. Florida

Round One, Kelly Cup Playoffs

Game 5 (If Necessary)

Sunday, April 11

4:05 p.m.

THREE DAYS GRACE WITH CHEVELLE AND ADELITAS WAY

Thursday, April 15

7:00 p.m.

ROYAL HANNEFORD PRESENTS SHRINE CIRCUS

Tuesday, May 4