ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

April 10, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades finished this past week with a perfect record of 3-0-0 to close out the regular season with an overall record of 48-20-4 (100 pts., 2nd South Division).

THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15, Playoff Games "A" & "B" vs. TBA Both Games 7:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades open their run to the 2006 Kelly Cup this weekend at Germain Arena. The Everblades will host the first two games of the best-of-five South Division semi-finals against either Greenville, South Carolina or Charlotte. The 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs mark the eighth consecutive season that the Everblades have qualified for the post-season. In their eight playoff seasons, the Everblades have compiled a 31-23 record, and are the two-time defending Conference Champions.

PROMOTIONS: Fans can come early to Germain Arena on both Friday and Saturday nights to enjoy live music and festivities. On Friday night Smackdaddy will be performing from 4:30-6:30 and on Saturday night Riverside Blues Band will perform in front of Germain Arena. Food and beverages will be on sale to fans during both pre-game concerts.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Tuesday, April 4 at Gwinnett Gladiators 3-0 Win

The Everblades used 28 saves by goaltender Phil Osaer to help upend the Gwinnett Gladiators by a score of 3-0 on Tuesday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The shutout was Osaer's third of the season. After a scoreless first period, the Everblades struck for two quick power play goals in the first ten minutes of the second period. Vince Bellissimo continued his hot streak by netting the first goal of the game at 2:47 of the period. Shortly after that Tyson Teplitsky notched his first goal as an Everblade and ninth overall at 8:13. The Everblades sealed the win when Dustin Johner banged home a short-handed goal at 17:46 of the third period. The short-handed tally was Johner's first of the year and the team's 16th. Osaer improved his overall record to 22-10-5 while winning his eighth game in his last ten starts. Florida Special Teams: PP: 2-for-4; PK: 7-for-7.

Friday, April 7 at Pensacola Ice Pilots 2-1 Win

The Everblades used two third period goals to come-from-behind and earn a 2-1 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Friday night at the Pensacola Civic Center. The win allowed the Everblades to improve to 11-0-0 vs. Pensacola on the season. After a scoreless first period, the Ice Pilots broke through to open the scoring at 7:33 of the second period by wristing a shot past Everblades Kevin Nastiuk from the right circle. The Everblades however battled their way back into the game by out-shooting Pensacola 18-6 in frame, and notching two late goals. Brandon Coalter tallied the first of the night for the Everblades at 7:51. The Everblades collected the eventual game-winner from Dan Sisca, who notched his team-leading 29th goal of the season with 4:36 remaining in regulation. Nastiuk earned the win to improve his record to 13-4-2 on the season by turning away 24of 25 Pensacola shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-7; PK: 5-for-5.

Saturday, April 8 at Pensacola Ice Pilots 3-2 Win

The Everblades earned another come-from-behind win, upending the Pensacola Ice Pilots by a score of 3-2 on Saturday night the Pensacola Civic Center. The win allowed the Everblades to finish the year with a perfect 12-0-0 vs. Pensacola on the season. A wild and scrappy first period saw the teams combine for 35 penalty minutes and Pensacola notch the game's first goal. With the game scoreless and Pensacola on the power play a boarding penalty by the Everblades set of a fracas that led to 31 of the PIM. After the dust settled and Pensacola holding a 4-on-3 power play they tallied at 13:06 to take an early lead. Pensacola added to their lead early in the second period at 3:14 of the frame, but the Everblades battled back to tie the game on goals by Reggie Berg and Vince Bellissimo. Berg got the Everblades on the board with a strong move to the net slipping a power play goal home at 7:51. The Everblades completed the comeback when Bellissimo netted his 13th goal of the year with 1:07 remaining in the period. Kevin Bergin then netted the eventual game-winner with 8:47 remaining in regulation, collecting his 29th goal of the season. Goaltender Phil Osaer turned away 27 of 29 shots to win his ninth game in his last 11 starts and improved overall to 23-10-2. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-5; PK: 5-for-6.

EVERBLADES ITINERARY:

GAME "A" vs. TBA, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Saturday, Apr. 15: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

GAME "B" vs. TBA, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Sunday, Apr. 16: OFF DAY

2005-06 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 48-20-4

Home Record 23-10-3
Road Record 25-10-1
Overtime Record 3-3
Shootout Record 8-1
Power Play 85-405 (4th)
Penalty Kill 364-411 (6th)

Leading Scorers
Dan Sisca 29-50-79
Steve Saviano 25-45-70
Kevin Bergin 29-35-64
Ernie Hartlieb 18-36-54
Corey Neilson 13-35-48
Paul Cabana 23-23-46

Leading Goaltenders
Kevin Nastiuk 2.52 GAA, 13-4-2
Craig Kowalski 2.80 GAA, 12-6-0
Phil Osaer 2.95 GAA, 23-10-2

Plus/Minus Leaders

Dan Sisca +30
Steve Saviano +28
Dustin Johner +17
Vince Bellissimo +15
Chris Lee +13

Weekly Award Nominee: The Everblades goaltender of the week nominee is Phil Osaer who finished the week 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and a .965 save percentage with one shutout.

Everblades Special Teams Breakdown: After 72 games, here's a look at Florida's special teams finished the 2005-06 season: The overall power play finished ranked 4th (85-for-405, 21.0%). At home, the 'Blades finished ranked 5th (21.7%) and on the road, Florida closed out the season ranked 5th (20.1%). The overall penalty kill finished he season ranked 6th (364-for-411, 84.2%). At home, the Everblades ranked 14th (82.5%) and on the road the finished 3rd (86.3%).

Got that Winning Feeling!: With their three-game winning streak at the close of the season, the Everblades posted the second best season in franchise history. The Everblades closed out the year with 48 wins, which was second only to the 53 in the organizations second season, and with 100 points, which was second to the 108 earned during the season year of the organization as well. In addition with their three wins this past week, the Everblades tied a franchise record for the most road wins in one year with 25.

League Leaders: Everblades forward Dan Sisca finished the season tied for seventh in the ECHL in scoring with his 79 points...the point total also ranked Sisca second among rookies in scoring and he ranked second among rookies with his 50 assists...goaltender Kevin Nastiuk ranked fourth in the ECHL with his .924 save percentage...defenseman Corey Neilson finished tied for third among ECHL defenseman in scoring with his 48 points... forward Ernie Hartlieb finished the season tied for the league lead with three power play goals in one game...as a team, the Everblades tied for the league lead with five power play goals in one game, and hold the longest streak for consecutive home wins with 12.

Playoffs by the Numbers: The Everblades have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of their eight seasons...the Everblades are 31-23 all-time in the post season, including compiling a 27-14 mark over the past two years...on home ice the Everblades are 16-15 in the post season, while posting a 15-9 road record...against their possible first-round opponents, the Everblades are 5-4 vs. Greenville, 4-2 vs. Charlotte and 7-1 vs. South Carolina...Reggie Berg is the team's all-time leader in post-season games played with 45, and is second all-time in goals (15) and points (39).

Playoff Ticket Information: Everblades 2006 Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets for Games "A" & "B" 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.

Coach's Show: "Blades Talk" the Everblades coach's show will air its final program on Monday, April 10 from 7-8 p.m. at Stevie Tomato's Sportspage in Fort Myers. Fans can join the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter along with head coach Gerry Fleming live in person, or can catch the show live on SportsRadio 770 AM. This week's feature guest will be Everblades forward Dustin Johner.

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



ECHL Stories from April 10, 2006


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