Blades Clinch Fifth Straight Playoff Berth
March 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
Despite dropping two games to the Augusta Lynx 2-1 in overtime this past Friday night and 4-2 on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd at TECO Arena the Everblades clinched their fifth straight Kelly Cup playoff berth after picking up a point in Friday night's OT loss. The Everblades dropped into a tie for third place in the ECHL's Southeast Division after this week and currently trail second place South Carolina by four points and first place Columbia by nine points. Florida hosts the Greenville Grrrowl on Friday and Saturday night at TECO Arena at 7:30 PM. Florida has picked up just one win in their last six outings. The Everblades have already clinched their fifth straight Kelly Cup playoff berth. 'The Gerry Fleming Coaches Show' presented by Stevie Tomato's Sportspage on Sportsradio 770 AM airs on 770 AM from 6:30 - 7:30 PM on Monday nights. The show will be live on remote at the Ft. Myers location tonight. Several Everblades players will be on hand for a meet and greet from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.
UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS AT TECO ARENA: 'The Gerry Fleming Coaches Show' will be live on remote at the Ft. Myers Stevie Tomato's location on Monday, March 10th with several players on hand for a meet and greet from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. The Everblades Third Annual Women's Clinic will be held on Tuesday, March 11th at TECO Arena. The Everblades battle the Greenville Grrrowl at 7:30 PM on Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th at TECO Arena. The Everblades will host their annual St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction to benefit local SW Florida charities on Monday, March 17th following their game versus the Greensboro Generals at 7:30 PM. For tickets to any of these upcoming events please call the TECO Arena box office at (239) 948-7825 or Ticketmaster at (239) 334-3309.
THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)
Friday, March 14th vs. Greenville Grrrowl 7:30 PM/EST
GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Grrrowl will meet for the eighth time this season. Florida is 5-0-2 against them this season and 1-0-1 at TECO Arena. The Blades upended the Grrrowl 1-0 in overtime at TECO Arena back on January 25th. Greenville (24-32-6, 54 pts.) currently ranks in 5th place in the Southeast Division standings while Florida (32-19-11, 75 pts.) ranks tied for 3rd in the Southeast. The Grrrowl are 11-17-3 on the road this season and 4-5-1in their last ten games. Florida holds a 23-11-2 record all-time against the Grrrowl and a 9-5-1 record at TECO Arena. Forward Matt Demarski leads the team in scoring with 20-33-53. The Grrrowl power play ranks 22nd in the ECHL and their penalty kill ranks 26th.
Saturday, March 15th vs. Greenville Grrrowl 7:30 PM/EST
GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Grrrowl will meet for the ninth and final time this regular season.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Friday, March 7th vs. Augusta Lynx 1-2 OTL
The Florida Everblades (32-18-11) were upended by the Augusta Lynx (22-33-5) 2-1 in overtime in front of 6,103 at TECO Arena on Friday night. Augusta forward Ryan Lauzon notched the game winning short handed goal in overtime to give the Lynx the win. After earning the extra point for the regulation tie, the Everblades clinched a spot in the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Saturday, March 8th vs. Augusta Lynx 2-4 L
The Florida Everblades (32-19-11) were defeated by the Augusta Lynx (23-33-5) 4-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 7,181 at TECO Arena on Saturday night. Augusta forward Andrew Williamson notched two goals in the Augusta win.
2002-03 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 32-19-11(T - 3rd)
Home Record 17-5-7
Road Record 15-14-4
Overtime Record 2-4
Shootout Record 2-6
Power Play 19th
Penalty Kill 22nd
Leading Scorers
Joe Blaznek 27-31-58
Kevin Brown 21-36-57
Marty Johnston 21-33-54
Laurent Meunier 19-28-47
George Awada 21-26-47
Tom Buckley 10-37-47
Leading Goaltenders
Rob Zepp 2.75 GAA, 20-12-7
Brian Leitza 2.98GAA, 0-1-1
Randy Petruk 3.60 GAA, 3-2-0
Plus/Minus Leaders
Marty Johnston +10
Jon Insana +8
ECHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION: The Everblades ECHL player of the week nomination is forward Tom Buckley. The Buffalo, NY native registered one goal and two assists this past week including a goal and an assist this past Saturday night.
ECHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION: The Everblades ECHL goaltender of the week nomination is Brian Leitza. The Lake Villa, IL native helped propel the Blades to clinch their fifth straight Kelly Cup playoff berth when he stopped 32 of 34 shots in Friday night's 2-1 overtime loss.
EVERBLADES IN THE COMMUNITY: The entire Everblades team will be participating in the Third Annual Women's Clinic on Tuesday, March 11th. The Blades will conduct on-ice demonstrations and a number of other events at the women only event. The entire team will be participating in the Everblades Season Ticket Holder Party on Wednesday, March 12th. Please call (239) 948-7825 for information on any of these community events.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION: TECO Arena Box Office is open from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday and 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturday. Individual Tickets can be purchased at the TECO Arena Box Office or at any TicketMaster location. To order tickets by phone, call (239) 334-3309. For Season Tickets, Flex Packs or Group Tickets call the Everblades Ticket Office at (239) 948-7825.
EVERBLADES ON THE AIR: All 72 regular season games can be heard on Sportsradio 770 AM and on the Internet at www.floridaeverblades.com with the "Voice of the Everblades" Mark Miller calling the play-by-play. "The Gerry Fleming Coaches Show" is broadcast live on remote from a different Stevie Tomato's Location every Monday night on Sportsradio 770 AM from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. The Everblades pre-game show begins 15 minutes before face-off.
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