ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

Published on March 27, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades finished this past week with a record of 3-1-0, which puts their overall record at 43-20-3 (89 pts., 2nd South Division) have won eight of their last ten games.


THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Tuesday, March 28, at South Carolina Stingrays 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades travel to Charleston, SC to take on the Stingrays for the ninth and final time this season. The game is also the fourth between the South Division rivals at the North Charleston Coliseum and signals the end of the longest road trip of the season for the Everblades. The Everblades hold a record of 4-4-0 vs. South Carolina this season, and are 2-1-0 in Charleston this year. The Everblades won the most recent meeting 4-3 in a shootout on March 24 in Charleston. The Stingrays enter this week's with an overall record of 30-22-13 (73 pts., 4th South Division) and are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. The Everblades hold an all-time record of 31-18-8 and are 15-8-5 all-time at South Carolina.

Friday, March 31, vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades return home for the first time since March 14 to host the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Friday night at Germain Arena. Friday's game is the 10th of 12 meetings between the clubs this season and the sixth at Germain Arena. The Everblades are a perfect 9-0-0 vs. Pensacola this season. The Everblades won the last meeting 6-0 at Pensacola on February 11. The ‘Blades have outscored the Ice Pilots 43-13 this season and have converted on 33 % of their power play chances against the Ice Pilots. Pensacola enters this week's with an overall record of 20-40-7 (47 pts., 8th South Division) and are winless in their last five games. The Everblades are 34-11-9 all-time vs. Pensacola and are 19-4-6 all-time at home vs. the Ice Pilots.

PROMOTION: The first 2,500 fans through the gates on Friday night will receive the final series of Everblades player trading cards, courtesy of Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort.

Saturday, April 1, vs. Greenville Grrrowl 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades skate against the Greenville Grrrowl for the sixth and final time on the season this Saturday night at Germain Arena. The game is the final regular season home game for the Everblades. The Everblades hold a record of 3-2-0 vs. Greenville this season and 1-1-0 at Germain Arena vs. the Grrrowl. Florida won the most recent meeting between the South Division rivals 3-2 in a shootout on February 21 at Greenville. The Everblades set franchise records for most power play goals in one game (5) and most power play chances in one game (12) in their 6-3 win at Greenville on November 26. The Grrrowl enter this week's with an overall record of 41-23-3 (85 pts., 3rd South Division). The Everblades hold an all-time record of 32-17-4 vs. Greenville and are 14-9-2 all-time at home vs. the Grrrowl.

PROMOTION: Saturday night's game at Germain Arena is "Fan Appreciation Night!" Prizes and giveaways will be handed out throughout the game to fans in attendance!

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Tuesday, March 21 vs. Columbia Inferno 4-2 Win
The Everblades picked up their fourth straight win with the help of two Dan Sisca goals to earn a 4-2 win over the Columbia Inferno on Tuesday night at the Carolina Coliseum. For the second straight game, the Everblades got off to a quick start, scoring twice in the first three minutes of the game. Sisca opened the scoring by tallying this 24th goal of the season just 1:28 into the contest. Steve Saviano followed just one minute later with his 20th goal on the season. The Inferno trimmed the Everblades lead by one just 1:18 into the second period, then tied the game at 15:43. The Everblades regained their lead when Paul Cabana scored a short-handed goal with 32 seconds remaining in the second period. The short-handed tally was Cabana's third and the team's 14th this season. Sisca collected his second goal of the night with five minutes remaining in regulation to help seal the game. In goal, Phil Osaer earned his fourth win over Columbia and increased his overall record to 18-10-2 by stopping 20 of 22 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-5; PK: 6-for-7.

Friday, March 24 at South Carolina Stingrays 4-3 Shootout Win
The Everblades picked up their fifth straight win with a 4-3 shootout victory over the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. Dustin Johner opened the scoring with his 13th goal of the year at 3:31 to stake Florida to the early 1-0 advantage, and the Everblades opened a 2-0 lead when Dan Sisca tallied a power play goal at 5:22. After South Carolina tallied to cut the Everblades lead in half, Vince Bellissimo notched his 8th goal of the year at 6:42 to open a 3-1 lead. South Carolina however battled back to once again trim Florida's lead to one at 12:10 of the period, then tied the game with a late third period power play goal. After a scoreless overtime, which included a South Carolina power play, the game moved to a shootout. The Everblades picked up goals from Dan Sisca and Phil Aucoin in the first five rounds of the shootout, then grabbed the eventual game-winner in the seventh round from Paul Cabana In goal, Kevin Nastiuk earned his sixth straight win by stopping 40 of 43 shots to raise his overall record to 12-3-1. Florida Special Teams: PP: 2-for-4; PK: 2-for-3.


Saturday, March 25 at Charlotte Checkers 3-1 Win
The Everblades earned their sixth straight win after coming from behind to score a 3-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. After an entertaining, but scoreless first period that included a penalty shot for Everblades forward Vince Bellissimo, both teams tallied second period power play goals. The Checkers opened the scoring at 11:54, but the Everblades responded with a 5-on-3 power play goal by Phil Aucoin with 41 seconds remaining in the frame. In the third period, the Everblades scrambled back to take the lead when Dan Sisca notched his team leading 27th goal of the season at 6:19, then added some insurance shortly after when Kevin Bergin notched his 26th goal of the season at 13:23. In goal, Phil Osaer earned his fifth win in his last seven starts and raise his overall record to 19-10-2 by stopping 21 Charlotte shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-9; PK: 5-for-6.

Sunday, March 26 at Augusta Lynx 3-0 Loss
The Everblades saw their season-long six-game winning streak come to an end after a 3-0 defeat by the Augusta Lynx on Sunday afternoon at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. Augusta goaltender Mike Wall stopped all 32 shots the Everblades fired at him en-route to his first shutout of the season, helping the Lynx collect the final playoff spot in the South Division. Along with Wall's goaltending, the Lynx picked up two goals from Ryan Lang, and saw rookie Will Bodine tally his first professional goal. The blanking marked the first time since opening night the Everblades failed to score a goal. With the loss goaltender Kevin Nastiuk saw his personal six-game winning streak come to an end, dropping his overall record to 12-4-1 after allowing the three goals on 31 shots. Floirida Special Teams: 0-for-2; PK: 2-for-2.

EVERBLADES ITINERARY:
Monday, Mar. 27: OFF DAY
Tuesday, Mar. 28: GAME vs. South Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. @ N. Charleston Coliseum
Wednesday, Mar. 29: OFF DAY
Thursday, Mar. 30: Practice 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Friday, Mar. 31: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Saturday, Apr. 1: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Greenville Grrrowl, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Sunday, Apr. 2: OFF DAY

2005-06 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS


Quick Stats
Overall Record 43-20-3
Home Record 22-10-2
Road Record 21-10-1
Overtime Record 3-2
Shootout Record 8-1
Power Play 79-374 (3rd)
Penalty Kill 315-374 (6th)

Leading Scorers
Dan Sisca 27-48-75
Kevin Bergin 26-33-59
Steve Saviano 20-38-58
Ernie Hartlieb 18-36-54
Corey Neilson 13-33-46
Paul Cabana 22-21-43
Leading Goaltenders
Kevin Nastiuk 2.47 GAA, 12-4-1
Craig Kowalski 2.80 GAA, 12-6-0
Phil Osaer 3.17 GAA, 19-10-2

Plus/Minus Leaders
Dan Sisca +26
Steve Saviano +22
Martin Lojek +13
Dustin Johner +13
Chris Lee +11



Weekly Award Nominees: The Everblades Player of the Week nominee is forward Dan Sisca who notched five points in the four games this past week. Sisca tallied four goals and one assist, while holding a plus-1 rating. The Everblades goaltender of the week nominee is Phil Osaer who finished the week 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and a .932 save percetage.

Everblades Special Teams Breakdown: After 66 games, here's a look at Florida's special teams breakdown heading into the week: The overall power play is ranked 3rd (79-for-74, 22.1%). At home, the ‘Blades are ranked 4th (22.1%) and on the road, Florida is ranked 6th (19.7%). The overall penalty kill is ranked 6th (315-for-374, 84.2%). At home, the Everblades are ranked 8th (83.3%) and on the road the team ranks 5th (85.4%).

League Leaders: Everblades forward Dan Sisca is tied for ninth in the ECHL in scoring with his 75 points...the point total also ranks Sisca second among rookies in scoring and ranked second among rookies with his 48 assists...goaltender Kevin Nastiuk is ranked third in the ECHL with his .927 save percentage...defenseman Corey Neilson is fourth among ECHL defenseman in scoring with his 46 points...defenseman Chris Lee is for 13th among ECHL defenseman with 37 points...forward Ernie Hartlieb is tied for the league lead with three power play goals in one game...as a team, the Everblades are tied for the league lead with five power play goals in one game, and hold the longest streak for consecutive home wins with 12.

Milestone Update: Several Everblades players are closing in on career milestones or have recently hit a milestone, here's a look at them: forward Dustin Johner reached the 100 point plateau in his career with an assist on March 21 at Columbia...defenseman Ryan Brindley will skate in his 450th career game in on Tuesday at South Carolina, and is four assists away from his 300th...forward Kevin Bergin is three games away from playing in his 300th career game...forward Paul Cabana played in his 200th career game on March 18 at Augusta.

Who's Hot: Forward Ernie Hartlieb has picked up points in 13 of the last 18 games he's played in (2g, 17a)...Reggie Berg has points in six of the last nine games (2g, 7a)...Steve Saviano has collected a point in 12 of the last 14 games (7g, 15a) after tallying a point in an Everblades season-high 12 straight games...Kevin Bergin has scored a point in six of the last nine contests (5g, 5a)...Paul Cabana has a point in nine of the last 15 games (5g, 8a)...Phil Aucoin has tallied points in seven of the last 11 games (4g, 5a)...Vince Bellissimo has a point in six of the last eight games (7g, 5a)...Dan Sisca has notched at least on point in eight of the last ten games (7g, 7a)...goaltender Phil Osaer has won five of his last seven starts and goalie Kevin Nastiuk has won six of his last seven starts.

Penalty Shot Fever!: After going the first 55 games of the season without a penalty shot for or against, the Everblades have been involved in five penalty shots in their last 11 games. The Everblades have been awarded four penalty shots, while having one against them. In Florida's four penalty shots, all have been stopped by the opposing goaltender, and in the lone attempt against the Everblades Phil Osaer made the save. Dan Sisca has been awarded two of the penalty shots, and Steve Saviano and Vince Bellissimo have taken the other two. In all, the league has had 44 penalty shots this season, with only eight being converted into goals!

Internet Only Games: This week, the Everblades will game on Saturday, April 1 at home vs. Greenville will be available via the internet only by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com or www.abc-7.com. This is due to NCAA Men's Basketball carried on SportsRadio 770 AM.

Playoff Ticket Information: Everblades 2006 Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets for Game "A" are on sale now to the general public! 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 online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information, contact the Everblades office at (239) 948-7825.

Everblades On The Air: The Florida Everblades are broadcast on Sportsradio 770 AM and on the web at www.floridaeverblades.com. Join the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter for all the play-by-play action. The Florida Lottery pre-game show begins 20 minutes before face-off.

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 27, 2006


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