Everblades Meet Nailers for First Time
March 24, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (27-9-0-2) meet the Wheeling Nailers (9-21-5-0) for the first time this season at Hertz Arena tonight. Under Coach Brad Ralph, the Everblades have never played the Nailers. The last time Florida matched up with Wheeling was in the first round of the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs, and the Nailers won the series four games to two. Florida and Wheeling's last regular season meeting was on Nov. 21, 2015.
Last Time Out: The Everblades won 5-1 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Sunday against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (16-11-8-2). Forward Michael Huntebrinker recorded the first hat trick of the season for Florida, and Blake Winiecki added two goals as well. Goaltender Jake Hildebrand earned his 13th win of the season by stopping 26 of 27 Greenville shots.
Scouting the Nailers: Wheeling has struggled this season and sits in last place in the Eastern Conference. On Sunday against the Wichita Thunder (23-10-4-1), the Nailers led 4-2 heading into the third period and eventually surrendered four goals in the final frame to fall 6-4. Wheeling is led by rookie Matt Alfaro's 23 points (9g-14a).
Top Guns: With a hat trick on 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.
Dominant Hildebrand: Florida goaltender Jake Hildebrand moved to 13-3-0-2 after three wins last week. The 27-year-old picked up a shutout on Tuesday against Orlando and won two of three against Greenville over the weekend. Hildebrand has won six of his last seven starts and has posted a 1.58 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage in that stretch. The Everblades netminder ranks first in the two major statistical categories in the ECHL with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage.
Blades Lead the Way: After three wins last week, the Everblades lead the Eastern Conference and the entire ECHL with a .737 points percentage. Florida sports the most prolific offense (3.68 goals-for per game) and the stingiest defense in the league (2.42 goals-against per game). The Blades also feature the league's top penalty kill at 89.0%. 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: Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Find tickets for tonight's game HERE.
PROMOTIONS: Enjoy Hump Day Deals at Wednesday's game! $3 Bud Light Drafts, $3 Barefoot Wine, $3 John Morrell Hot Dogs, and $4 New Amsterdam and Pink Whitney Vodka! Calling all College Students - Show your College ID at the Hertz Arena Box Office and receive $5 tickets at every Blades Wednesday Night home game!
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 24, 2021
- Rush Win Series Opener in Allen to Extend Point Streak to Eight - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Fall to Rapid City - Allen Americans
- Nailers Jump on Everblades - Florida Everblades
- Ginn Golden as Mavs Blank Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- Nailers Offense Red Hot in Opener at Florida - Wheeling Nailers
- Mavs Game Preview vs. Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- ECHL Transactions - March 24 - ECHL
- Everblades Meet Nailers for First Time - Florida Everblades
- Tonight's Icemen Game at South Carolina Postponed - Jacksonville Icemen
- Tonight's Stingrays Game Postponed - South Carolina Stingrays
- Game Day Preview: Rapid City at Allen, 7:05 PM - Allen Americans
- Grizzlies Preview: Tulsa at Utah, March 24, 2021 - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview:stingrays vs. Icemen, March 24 at 7:05 PM - South Carolina Stingrays
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.
