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ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

April 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Tuesday, April 17 vs. Charlotte Checkers 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Checkers meet for game three of the best-of-five South Division semi-final on Tuesday night in Charlotte, NC. The Everblades lead the season series 2-games-to-0 after a pair of home wins last weekend. During the regular season the Everblades finished with a 5-3-1 record vs. Charlotte, going 4-1-0 at home and 1-2-1 at Charlotte. The Everblades closed out the regular season with a record of 44-22-6 (94 pts., 1st, South Div.). The Checkers wrapped up the regular season with a record of 42-27-3 (87 pts., 4th, South Div.).

Thursday, April 19 vs. Charlotte Checkers (IF NECESSARY) 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Checkers will play a game four of their best-of-five South Division semi-final on Thursday night only if the Checkers win game three on Tuesday night.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

GAME 1 - South Division Semi-Final, Friday, April 13 vs. Charlotte Checkers 3-2 W

The Everblades and Checkers got the series off to a physical and entertaining start on Friday night at Germain Arena. The Everblades prevailed 3-2 thanks to a pair of power play goals in the second period. Vince Bellissimo tallied the game's first goal six minutes into the game to give Florida the early lead, but Bruce Graham answered for Charlotte late in the first period with less and three minutes remaining to tie the game. In the second period the Everblades picked up two power play goals, the first by Frank MacDonald and the second by Adam Taylor which came with six minutes remaining in the period. Sandwiched in between the Everblade goals Blake Bellefeuille notched his second playoff goal at the 11 minute mark of the frame for the Checkers. In goal Craig Kowalski picked up the win for the Everblades by stopping 24 of 26 shots, while Chris Holt suffered his first playoff loss of 2007 allowing the three goals on 32 shots. Florida special teams: PP: 2-for-9, PK: 6-for-6.

GAME 2 - South Division Semi-Final, Saturday, April 14 vs. Charlotte Checkers 7-2 W

The Everblades grabbed a 2-0 series lead with a convincing 7-2 win over the Checkers on Saturday night at Germain Arena. Seven different players scobred for the Everblades and 13 of the 16 skates collected at least one point. Dustin Johner, Mike Card and Ernie Hartlieb staked the 'Blades to a 3-0 first period lead, with Hartlieb's goal coming on the power play in the final four minutes of the period. The Everblades picked up where they left off in the second period getting goals from David Brine and Brad Parsons in the first seven minutes to open a 5-0 lead. The Checkers first tally came on a 5-on-3 power play from Dusty Jamieson to cut the lead to 5-1, but the Everblades tacked on their third goal of the second period with 56 seconds remaining in the frame by Brett Peterson. In the third period Blake Bellefeuille and Derek Damon scored for Charlotte and Florida respectively. In goal Craig Kowalski picked up his second win of the post-season by turning away 36 of 38 Charlotte shots, while Chris Holt suffered the loss for Charlotte allowing five goals on 18 shots in the first 27:32 of the game before being replaced by Evan Lindsay who stopped 14 of 16 shots over the remainder of the contest. Florida special teams: PP: 2-for-6, PK: 5-for-6.

2006-07 EVERBLADES PLAYOFF NUMBERS

Quick Stats

Overall Record 2-0

Home Record 2-0

Road Record 0-0

Overtime Record 0-0

Power Play 4-15 (6th)

Penalty Kill 11-12 (4th)

Leading Scorers

Vince Bellissimo 1-2-3

Dustin Johner 1-2-3

David Brine 1-2-3

Mike Card 1-2-3

Brad Parsons 1-2-3

Several tied with 2 points

Leading Goaltenders

Craig Kowalski 2.00 GAA, 2-0

Plus/Minus Leaders

Ryan Brindley +3

David Brine +2

Mike Card +2

Dustin Johner +2

Jon Lehun +2

Weekly Nominee: This week's goaltender of the week nominee is Craig Kowalski who was 2-0 last week with a GAA of 2.00.

Roster Moves: Everblades defenseman Mike Card was recalled to the Rochester Americans by the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. The 21-year-old played in the final six regular season games with the 'Blades, picking up four points (1g, 3a) and skated in the first two Kelly Cup Playoff games vs. Charlotte, registering three points (1g, 2a).

Series at a Glance: This is the second time the Everblades and Checkers have met in the post-season. The two teams met in the 2005 American Conference Finals, with the Everblades defeating Charlotte 4-games-to 2 to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals.

Florida's Playoff History: A look at how the Everblades have done in the post season: 2006: Advanced to division finals before falling to Gwinnett; 2005: American Conference Champions, advancing to Kelly Cup Finals before falling to Trenton; 2004: Eastern Conference Champions, advancing to Kelly Cup Finals before falling to Idaho; 2003: Eliminated in South East Division Wild Card by Greenville; 2002: Advanced to second round before falling to Greenville; 2001: Eliminated in first round quarter-final series by Pee Dee; 2000: Eliminated in first round quarter-final series by Augusta; 1999: Advanced to second round semi-final series before falling to Mississippi.

Playoff Fast Facts: This is the ninth consecutive trip by the Everblades to the Kelly Cup Playoffs...their current streak of nine now ranks as the longest among current ECHL teams...South Carolina held the previous high-water mark having qualified for the first 13 years of their existence until being kept out this season...the streak of nine straight for the 'Blades is tied for 5th longest in ECHL history behind South Carolina (13), Dayton (11), Hampton Roads (11), Roanoke (11) and Louisiana (9)...the Everblades are 38-31 all-time in their playoff history...the Everblades have twice advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals, falling 4-games-to-1 to Idaho in the 2004 championship series, and falling 4-games-to-2 to Trenton in the 2005 championship series...the 2006-07 division title by the Everblades is the second division championship the Everblades have captured in their history, having also won their division in 1999-00 when they won the Brabham Cup as the league's top regular season team... the Everblades are 11-7 all-time in game 1 of playoff series', hold a 10-6 all-time record in game 2, are 9-6 all-time in game 3, are 5-6 all-time in game 4, hold a 2-5 record all-time in the fifth game, and are 1-1 all-time in game 6.

Ticket Information: The Florida Everblades are now taking deposits on 2007-08 season tickets! To reserve season tickets fans can contact the Everblades at 239-948-7825. Tickets for Playoff Game "B" are also 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.

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ECHL Stories from April 16, 2007


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