Blades Meet Nailers for Second Matchup
March 26, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (27-10-0-2) look to right the ship against the Wheeling Nailers (10-21-5-0) at Hertz Arena tonight in the second meeting of the week between the two clubs. Tonight marks only the second-ever matchup between Head Coach Brad Ralph's Everblades and the Nailers. The teams will square off again tomorrow at Hertz Arena in the final meeting of the season.
Last Time Out: The Everblades fell 6-2 to the Nailers on Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. Wheeling jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period until Florida's Luke Nogard answered back with his fourth goal of the year. The Blades could never catch up after the first period and eventually wound up on the wrong side of a four-goal deficit. Wheeling scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded.
Scouting the Nailers: Wheeling is led by the 24 points (11g-13a) of Cody Sylvester. Rookie forward Matt Alfaro has also been impressive for the Nailers with his nine goals and 14 assists. Wheeling is the youngest team in the ECHL with an average age of 24. Florida is the most experienced team in the league with Everblades players combining for over 3600 ECHL games played.
Top Guns: With a hat trick last Sunday against Greenville, Michael Huntebrinker took sole possession of the league lead in goals with his 18th, 19th, and 20th of the season. Huntebrinker passed teammate John McCarron for the top spot. McCarron is currently tied with Indy's Nic Pierog for second place in the ECHL with 18 tallies on the season. Despite the fact that the Everblades have scored the most goals of any team in the league this season (140), Huntebrinkers three goals on Sunday marked the first hat trick of the season for Florida and the first since Tommy Thompson's three goals on Mar. 27, 2019. Sunday marked the third hat trick of Huntebrinker's career. The forward achieved the feat in both 2017 and 2018 with the Reading Royals.
Emergence of Sissons: One of the key additions for Florida has been 23-year-old Colby Sissons. Loaned to the Everblades from the New Jersey Devils (NHL) in late February, Sissons has racked up three goals and seven assists in 12 games with Florida so far. Sissons assisted on Joe Pendenza's power-play score last Saturday against Greenville and also potted the game-tying goal with 16 seconds left in regulation.
Blades Lead the Way: Despite Wednesday's loss, the Everblades still lead the Eastern Conference and the entire ECHL with a .718 points percentage. Florida sports the most prolific offense (3.64 goals for per game) and second stingiest defense in the league (2.51 goals against per game). The Blades also feature the league's top penalty kill at 88.3%. Florida's penalty kill shut down 16 of 17 Greenville power-play chances last weekend in upstate South Carolina.
WHO: Florida Everblades vs. Wheeling Nailers
WHERE: Hertz Arena - Estero, Fla.
WHEN: Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Find tickets for tonight's game HERE.
PROMOTIONS: Enjoy 239 Fridays! Get two premium seats, two slices of pizza, two sodas, and two autographed programs for only $39! Take advantage of the 239 Fridays online only offer at FloridaEverblades.com/239. Kids 12 and under eat free with purchase of an adult entree at Breakaway Sports Pub, located inside Hertz Arena. All frontline/essential workers receive a buy one, get one free ticket offer for all remaining Friday regular season home games. Find the Frontline Fridays ticket offer HERE.
BROADCAST: Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to tonight's exciting game action on ESPN 99.3 FM and online at 993espn.com.
ECHL Stories from March 26, 2021
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- Komets Stifle Fuel in Fort Wayne - Indy Fuel
- Third Period Pushes Florida to Victory - Wheeling Nailers
- Rays Start Fast But Fall to Orlando, 6-3 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Blades Win Special Teams Battle Against Nailers - Florida Everblades
- Jacksonville Opens Three-Game Set with 3-1 Decision against Greenville - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Mavs Weekend Preview vs. Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- Everblades Add Goaltender Papirny - Florida Everblades
- Brad Barone Returns to Rush; Albert Signed; Defiel Released - Rapid City Rush
- Rush to Hold Auction and Raffle for Gordy Defiel - Rapid City Rush
- ECHL Transactions - March 26 - ECHL
- Karlis Cukste Loaned to Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Blades Meet Nailers for Second Matchup - Florida Everblades
- Game Preview: Swamp Rabbits at Icemen, March 26, 2021 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Fuel Announce Several Roster Moves - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
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- Americans Gameday Preview: Rapid City at Allen, 7:05 PM CST - Allen Americans
- Grizzlies Preview: March 26, 2021 Tulsa at Utah - Utah Grizzlies
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