Blades hit the road again this week still holding the best record in the ECHL
January 26, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades returned to action this weekend following the ECHL All-Star break and split a weekend series at home with the Gwinnett Gladiators. Overall the Everblades still enter this week with the league's best record at 29-9-2 (60 pts., 1st South Division).
THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)
Friday, January 30 at South Carolina Stingrays 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades hit the road once again, although for a brief two-game road trip this weekend. The first stop is South Carolina where the Everblades and Stingrays will meet for the 8th of 12 times this season. The game is also the fourth of six between the clubs at the North Charleston Coliseum. Overall the Everblades are 3-3-1 vs. South Carolina this season and are 2-0-1 on the road vs. the Stingrays. The last time the teams met the Everblades picked up a 4-0 win at South Carolina on Jan. 15. The Stingrays enter this week's action with a record of 21-15-4 (46 pts., 2nd, South Division). The rivalry between the Everblades and Stingrays is the longest running in Florida's history. During the last 11 seasons the teams have met 84 times with the Everblades holding an all-time mark of 45-27-12 vs. South Carolina. On the road vs. the Stingrays, the Everblades are 24-10-5 all-time.
Saturday, Janauary 31 at Gwinnett Gladiators 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades finish off their quick road trip on Saturday night at Gwinnett. The game is the 10th of 13 between the South Division rivals and the sixth of eight at Gwinnett. The Everblades hold a 7-2-0 record vs. the Gladiators this season and a mark of 4-1-0 at Gwinnett. The Gladiators enter this week's action with a record of 17-18-4 (38 pts., 4th, South Division). The Everblades hold an all-time record of 21-21-6 vs. Gwinnett and are 10-13-1 all-time on the road vs. the Gladiators.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Friday, January 23 vs. Gwinnett Gladiators 3-1 Loss
The Everblades saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end after falling 3-1 to the Gladiators on Friday night at Germain Arena. Florida's lone goal came midway through the third period off the stick of Kevin Baker to tie the score at one, but Gwinnett's two late third period tallies sank the Blades. In net Anton Khudobin saw his personal three-game winning streak end after allowing the three goals on 27 shots. Florida's Special Teams: PP: 0-of-5; PK: 5-of-6.
Saturday, January 24 vs. Gwinnett Gladiators 4-1 Win
The Everblades got back in the win column on Saturday night with a 4-1 win over the Gladiators at Germain Arena. Four different players chipped in goals and the teams combined for 80 penalty minutes and three fights. Mark Lee and Peter Metcalf tallied first period goals and Ross Carlson added a second period tally to give the Everblades a 3-0 lead early in the middle frame. After Gwinnett got on the board late in the second period Kevin Baker's third period marker sealed the win. David Leggio ran his personal career-high winning streak to seven by making 26 saves. Florida's Special Teams: PP: 1-of-6; PK: 6-of-7.
EVERBLADES ITINERARY: (all times eastern)
Monday, Jan. 26: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Thursday, Jan. 29: Travel Day to South Carolina
Friday, Jan. 30: GAME vs. South Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. @ N. Charleston Coliseum
Saturday, Jan. 31: GAME vs. Gwinnett Gladiators, 7:05 p.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Sunday, Feb. 1: OFF DAY
2008-09 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 29-9-2
Home Record 13-6-0
Road Record 16-3-1
Overtime Record 2-1
Shootout Record 1-1
Power Play 58-262 (1st)
Penalty Kill 234-267 (2nd)
Leading Scorers
Kevin Baker 32-22-54
Ryan Lang 13-24-37
Peter Metcalf 5-28-33
Ernie Hartlieb 12-19-31
Yannick Tifu 6-22-28
Danick Bouchard 15-10-25
Leading Goaltenders
David Leggio 2.15 GAA, 15-3-1
Anton Khudobin 2.55 GAA, 14-6-1
Plus/Minus Leaders
Doug O'Brien +17
Ernie Hartlieb +15
Ryan Lang +13
Ross Carlson +12
Player & Goaltender of the Week Nominees: This week's Player of the Week nominee is Mark Lee who registered a goal and two assists in the two games this weekend. This week's Goaltender of the Week nominee is David Leggio who was 1-0-0 this week to run his winning streak to seven straight.
Special Teams Breakdown: Here's a look at the special teams of the Everblades and how it breaks down overall, home and away: Power play: 58-of-262 (22.1%) which ranks the Everblades 1st in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 18-of-115 (15.7%) which ranks 15th. On the road the Everblades are 40-of-147 (27.2%) which ranks 1st in the league. Penalty Kill: 234-of-267 (87.6%) which ranks the Everblades 2nd in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 111-of-130 (85.4%) which is 8th. On the road the Everblades have killed off 123-of-137 (89.8%) which ranks 2nd in the league.
Goalie of the Week!: Everblades goaltender David Leggio was named the ECHL's Goaltender of the Week for the week of Jan. 12-18. Leggio finished a busy week with a perfect 3-0-0 record and a 1.67 goals against average. The wins pushed his personal career-high winning streak to six. Leggio posted two wins against Charlotte and a shutout victory over South Carolina. The shutout was his fourth, which is now tied for the ECHL lead.
How'd the All-Star's do?: On Wednesday night the ECHL's best got together in Reading, PA for the 17th ECHL All-Star Game. The Everblades had three players on the American Conference squad that won 11-5 over the National Conference. Everblades captain Kevin Baker, who was also named the captain of the American Conference team, had a big night recording a third period hat-trick and adding one assist while finishing a plus-3. Goaltender David Leggio was solid in net, stopping 10 of 11 shots in the second period of play to earn the win, and defenseman Aaron Brocklehurst chipped in with an assist and a plus-3 rating.
Single Season Records in Danger!: At the half way point of the season there are a few Everblades' all-time single season records that are in danger of falling. Kevin Baker's 32 goals already ranks tied for 5th and within striking distance of the top spot of 40 which was set by Brian McCullough in 2003-04...Baker will become the all-time single season record holder with his next power play goal. He's currently tied for the top spot in power play goals in one season with 14, which is also held by Reggie Berg (2007-08), Joe Blaznek (2002-03) and Tim Ferguson (1998-99)...goaltender David Leggio is currently second in single season history with his four shutouts, one off the pace of Jeff Maund (2003-04) and Marc Magliarditi (1998-99) for the top spot.
Who's Hot: Here's a look at who's been playing well for the Everblades of late: Both goaltenders are hot right now as David Leggio is currently riding a career-high seven-game winning streak from Jan. 2 - Jan. 24, posting an impressive 1.57 GAA in that span...Anton Khudobin has won three of his last four starts and has an equally impressive GAA of 1.76 in those four games...F Kevin Baker has points in nine of the last 11 games (9g, 3a)...F Ryan Lang has points in six of the last seven games (3g, 6a)...D Peter Metcalf has notched a point in five of the last eight games (2g, 6a) ...F Mark Lee has points in 10 of the last 11 games (7g, 11a)...F Mathieu Roy has picked up a point in five of the last seven games (4g, 1a).
Milestone's Reached: In Saturday night's 4-1 win over Gwinnett a couple Everblades players hit milestones in their careers. Forward Ernie Hartlieb skated in his 500th career game that night. Hartlieb, who is in his fifth seasons with the Everblades and his ninth season overall, has played in 244 career games with the Blades, which currently ranks 4th in all-time team history. Hartlieb began his pro career in 2000-01 when he played in five games with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL following a four-year collegiate career at Miami (OH) University...Defenseman Peter Metcalf also reached a milestone on Saturday night when he scored a first period goal. The goal was the 50th of his career and came in his 423 career game. Metcalf, who was named the ECHL's Defenseman of the Year last season began his pro career in 2002-03 with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL and helped lead them to the Kelly Cup Championship that season.
Coach's Show: The Everblades' coach's show "Blades Talk" airs its next show on Tuesday, January 27 from 7-8 p.m. The show takes placed live at J. Daniels Bar & Grill it Ft. Myers and can be heard live on 770 ESPN Radio and via the internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com or www.abc-7.com. Fans are encouraged join the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter and head coach Malcolm Cameron live in person!
Ticket Information: Everblades 2008-09 group tickets and individual game tickets are on sale now! Fans can purchase tickets at the Germain Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling TicketMaster at (239) 334-3309, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information, contact the Everblades office at (239) 948-7825.
On the Air: Everblades games, home and away, can be heard on 770 ESPN Radio and via the internet courtesy of Waterman Broadcasting by logging on to www.floridaeverblades.com or www.abc-7.com/sports. In addition, Everblades games can be viewed via the internet thanks to B2 Networks by logging on to www.b2live.com. Join the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter as he calls all the action! The Everblades pre-game show begins 20 minutes prior to game time.
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