Everblades Weekly
Published on January 14, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades finished off this past week with a 2-1-0 record. The Everblades head into this week's action with a record of 24-11-0 (48 pts, T-1st South Div.).
THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)
Friday & Saturday, January, 19 & 20 at Gwinnett Gladiators Both Games 7:35 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades renew their rivalry with the Gladiators with a pair of games in Gwinnett this weekend. The two teams have only met once this season, with the Everblades pulling off a 6-5 win at Gwinnett on Dec. 10. Last season the Everblades were 5-5-1 vs. Gwinnett and were 2-3-0 at Gwinnett. The Gladiators enter this week's action in a first place tie with the Everblades with a record of 22-11-4 (48 pts.) The Everblades hold an all-time record of 10-10-4 vs. Gwinnett and are 5-7-0 all-time on the road vs. the Gladiators.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Tuesday, January 9 vs. Charlotte Checkers 4-3 SOW
The Everblades pulled off another come-from-behind win after trailing 3-1 to Charlotte Checkers heading into the third period, only to pull off a 4-3 shootout victory. The win was Florida's fourth straight on home ice. With the help of two more short-handed goals, bringing their total to six vs. Charlotte over the past three games, the Everblades found a way to battle from behind to work their way into first place in the South Division standings. Brad Zancanaro and Reggie Berg teamed up to tally the third period goals for the Everblades to force overtime. After neither team found the eventual game-winner in the remaining regulation time or in the five-minute overtime period, the game moved to a shootout. In the five-round shootout, Chris Lee tallied the lone goal in Florida's second round, while Everblades goaltender David Shantz turned aside all five Charlotte shooters. In goal, Shantz picked up the win to raise his record to 10-4-0 after stopping 38 of 41 shots in regulation and overtime, and all five shooters in the shootout. Florida special teams: PP: 1-for-5, PK: 7-for-7.
Friday, January 12 vs. South Carolina Stingrays 2-1 SOW
The Everblades picked up their fourth straight win thanks to the goaltending of David Shantz, edging past the South Carolina Stingrays 2-1 in a shootout victory Friday night. The Everblades drew first blood when a red-hot Reggie Berg notched his team-leading 19th goal of the season just 4:55 into the game. The score remained 1-0 for the Everblades until late in the second period when South Carolina tied the game with a power play goal with 43 seconds remaining in the period. From there, the goaltending took over with Shantz and Parley each making eight saves during the final 20 minutes to send the game to overtime. The Everblades outscored South Carolina 2-1 in the shootout with Chris Lee notching the game-winner. In goal, David Shantz (11-4-0) collected his second straight win by stopping 32 of 33 shots in regulation and overtime, and four of five shooters in the shootout. Florida special teams: PP: 0-for-5, PK: 4-for-5.
Saturday, January 13 vs. South Carolina Stingrays 5-3 L
The Everblades saw their four-game winning streak come to and end after falling to the South Carolina Stingrays by a final score of 5-3 on Saturday night. The Everblades once again started off strong by scoring the first goal of the contest as Dustin Johner notched the first of his two goals at 14:08 of the first period. The lead was short-lived however as the Stingrays answered back with a power play goal just 57 seconds later. Tied 1-1 heading into the second period, South Carolina grabbed their first lead of the night when Josh at 2:34 of the frame, but this time it was the Everblades that bounced back. After killing off a four-minute penalty, the Everblades tied the game on Derek Damon's fifth goal of the season at 9:12. Then at 16:33 the Everblades took advantage of a fortunate bounce as Johner's pass across the goal mouth ricocheted off the stick of a South Carolina player and into the net. Trailing by one entering the third period, the Stingrays came out strong scoring twice in the first two minutes of the third period, then sealed the win with another goal at 9:46. In goal, David Shantz saw his two-game winning streak come to an end after allowing the five goals on 33 shots, bringing his record to 11-5-0. Florida special teams: PP: 0-for-6, PK: 7-for-8.
EVERBLADES ITINERARY:
Monday, Jan 15: OFF DAY
Tuesday, Jan. 16: OFF DAY
Wednesday, Jan. 17: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Thursday, Jan. 18: Travel Day to Gwinnett
Friday, Jan. 19: GAME vs. Gwinnett Gladiators, 7:35 p.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Saturday, Jan. 20: GAME vs. Gwinnett Gladiators, 7:35 p.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Sunday, Jan. 21: OFF DAY
2006-07 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERSQuick Stats
Overall Record 24-11-0
Home Record 12-7-0
Road Record 12-4-0
Overtime Record 1-0
Shootout Record 4-0
Power Play 38-256 (21st)
Penalty Kill 218-255 (6th)
Leading Scorers
Reggie Berg 19-21-40
Vince Bellissimo 12-19-31
Dustin Johner 14-16-30
Brent McDonald 11-17-28
Jonathan Lehun 11-11-22
David Brine 5-14-19
Leading Goaltenders
Craig Kowalski 2.34 GAA, 13-6-0
David Shantz 3.07 GAA, 11-5-0
Plus/Minus Leaders
Brad Zancanaro +11
Brent McDonald +9
Brett Peterson +8
Jon Lehun +7
Reggie Berg +6
Player of the Week Nominee's: This week's Everblades nominee for ECHL player of the week nominee is Reggie Berg who finished the week with two goals and two assists in three games. The Everblades goaltender of the week nominee is David Shantz who was 2-1-0 this week with a goals against average of 2.84.
Special Teams Breakdown: Here's a look at the special teams of the Everblades and how it breaks down home and away: Power play: 38-for-256 (14.8%) which ranks the Everblades 21st in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 16-for-135 (11.9%) which ranks 23rd. On the road the Everblades are 22-for-121 (18.2%) which ranks 7th. Penalty Kill: 218-for-255 (85.5%) which ranks the Everblades 6th in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 124-for-145 (85.5%) which is 8th in the league. On the road, Florida is 94-for-110 (85.5%) which is 8th best in the league.
It's not so bad being Short: The Everblades tied an ECHL record on Jan. 5 when they scored four shorthanded goals in their 9-7 win over the Charlotte Checkers. Reggie Berg and Brad Zancanaro each tallied two of the goals while the 'Blades were down a man in strength. Then on Tuesday night, the Everblades tallied two more short-handed markers against the Checkers by Berg and Jon Lehun to bring the Everblades' season total to 15, which is tops in the ECHL.
Home Cookin': Since their season-long six-game road trip, the Everblades have gone 5-1-0 at home, and have won their last five at Germain Arena. Overall the Everblades are now 12-6-0 on home ice. The 'Blades get to enjoy three of their next five games on home ice.
Who's Hot: F Reggie Berg has points in five straight games (7g, 2a) and 13 of the last 15 games (12g, 11a)...F Vince Bellissimo has tallied 17 points in the last 12 games (6g, 11a)...D Ryan Van Buskirk has notched ten points in the last ten games (1g, 9a)...F Jon Lehun has registered five points (3g, 2a) in the four games since returning from the IR...F Brad Zancanaro has eight points (3g, 5a) in the last four games...G Craig Kowalski has won his last seven of his last eight games played in and has two shutouts in that span.
All-Time 'Blades Records: Midway through the season one Everblades all-time mark has been broken and several others are being approached. Brent McDonald became the all-time games played leader on Dec. 8 when he took the ice at Pensacola. His 289th game broke the previous all-time number of 288 held by Tom Buckley. In addition, Reggie Berg is only 17 points away from becoming the team's all-time leading point getter, as he chases Buckley's mark of 310, and Berg's next power play goal will move him into the all-time leader of that category, unseating Matt Demarski.
Upcoming Milestones: Here are some milestones that Everblades players are approaching in their professional careers: D Ryan Van Buskirk is only one game away from skating in his 300th professional game...F Brad Parsons is five assists shy of his 100th and is 11 goals away from his 50th ...F Brent McDonald is only seven goals away from reaching the 100 mark...D Ryan Brindley is 13 points shy of collecting his 300th ...D Chris Dyment is 14 games shy of his 200th in his career.
Coach's Show Update: The Everblades coach's show, "Blades Talk" will NOT be aired on Monday, January 15 because of the travel schedules for both Kevin Reiter and Gerry Fleming, who are heading to Boise, ID for the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game. The next edition of 'Blades Talk will be heard on Monday, January 22 from 7-8 p.m.
Ticket Information: Everblades 2006-07 group tickets and individual game tickets are on sale now! 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 over the phone by calling TicketMaster at (239) 334-3309, or 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 Everblades pre-game show begins 20 minutes before face-off.
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