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ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades Weekly: Four Games in Five Days on Docket

February 25, 2019 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, Fla. - Following three games on the road last week, the Florida Everblades (37-13-5-0, 79 pts.) now face the regular season's second-to-last stretch of four games in five days this week, a stretch that includes three games against the Orlando Solar Bears.

After dropping the first game of last week to the Jacksonville Icemen, the 'Blades responded by sweeping a two-game set from the South Carolina Stingrays to finish the week. Florida was shut out in its only previous meeting in South Carolina in mid-November, but the 'Blades netted 10 combined goals in two games to get their offense back on track after scoring only twice on Wednesday in Jacksonville. Kyle Platzer (2g-3a) and Joe Cox (3g-2a) both led the way for Florida in the South Carolina series with five points each.

Florida has a busy schedule this week with three matchups against Orlando and a Sunday tilt against Jacksonville. The 'Blades have posted a 3-1-2 record against Orlando this year and won the most recent meeting, 5-2, at Hertz Arena on Feb. 13. Including this week's games, Florida and Orlando will see each other six times in the last six weeks of the regular season. Although the Everblades are 5-0-0 at home against the Icemen this season, they have posted just a 2-3-1 mark in Jacksonville. Florida will aim to get back to .500 in its last tilt in Jacksonville in the regular season.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Feb. 20 | at Jacksonville Icemen - L, 3-2

Feb. 22 | at South Carolina Stingrays - W, 5-3

Feb. 23 | at South Carolina Stingrays - W, 5-3

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Feb. 27 | at Orlando Solar Bears | 7 p.m. - Amway Center

March 1 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears | 7:30 p.m. - Hertz Arena

March 2 | at Orlando Solar Bears | 7 p.m. - Amway Center

March 3 | at Jacksonville Icemen | 3 p.m. - Veterans Memorial Arena

'BLADES BIOS

As part of the league's second-best team in terms of goal differential, Michael Neville (+34, 2nd), Derek Sheppard (+24, t-3rd) and Blake Winiecki (+22, 5th) all rank in the top five in plus-minus rating among rookies, while Cox still leads the ECHL with a +46 plus-minus rating.

Cox's five-point week moved his point total to 61 points (27g-34a), which is second in the ECHL.

John McCarron has been "Captain Clutch" for the 'Blades this season. He scored the game-winning goal for Florida in Friday's 5-3 win and is now tied for the league lead with seven game-winning scores.

'BLADES BITES

Florida's balanced excellence on both ends of the ice has been a big reason for its success this year, and the Everblades sit second in the league in both goals for per game (3.87) and goals against per game (2.42).

The trend of the Everblades dominating the shots on goal category continued last week. The 'Blades have now outshot their opponent in 14 of the last 17 games, while they've been outshot in only 11 of their 55 games.

Despite losing in Jacksonville last Wednesday, the Everblades lead the ECHL with 18 road victories thanks to the pair of road wins in South Carolina to end the week.

After yielding two goals in the second period on Wednesday, Florida got back to its second-period success in the final two games of the weekend by scoring four of the combined five goals in the middle frame. The 'Blades are the best in the league with a +37-goal differential in the second period.

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades: 37-13-5-0, 79 PTS

Orlando Solar Bears: 29-19-4-0, 62 PTS

Jacksonville Icemen: 28-23-2-2, 60 PTS

South Carolina Stingrays: 25-24-5-0, 55 PTS

Atlanta Gladiators: 23-21-7-1, 54 PTS

Norfolk Admirals: 23-26-4-3, 53 PTS

Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 18-33-3-2, 41 PTS

'BLADES LEADERS

G: Joe Cox (27)

A: Cox (34)

PTS: Cox (61)

+/-: Cox (+46)

SH: John McCarron (178)

GAA: Jeremy Helvig (2.29)

SV%: Helvig (.915)

EVERBLADES 2018-19 BROADCAST INFORMATION

Catch all the exciting action of Everblades hockey on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5 FM, 104.3 FM, 770 AM on the radio waves, or listen for FREE online.

Fans can also watch the games on a subscription basis on ECHL.TV.

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Single-game tickets for all regular season home games start at just $10!

Kelly Cup Playoff packages and 2019-20 season ticket packages are on sale now! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits!

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage and an Everblades tote bag!

Private Arena Tours are also available to select your season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!




ECHL Stories from February 25, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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