Everblades Weekly
December 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades completed this past week with a 0-1-2 record, with all games coming at home vs. Texas. The Everblades enter this week's action with a record of 14-9-2 (30 pts., 4th, South Division.)
UPCOMING GAMES (All times Eastern)
Friday & Saturday, December 21 & 22 vs. Columbia Inferno
Game Times: 7:30 p.m. Both Games
The Everblades close out their five-game home stand this weekend with a pair of games vs. Columbia. The games are the fifth and sixth of eight between the South Division rivals, and the final two of four between the clubs at Germain Arena. The Everblades hold a 3-1-0 record vs. Columbia this season, including winning the previous two meetings at Germain Arena over the Inferno by scores of 3-2 in overtime and 7-2. The Everblades hold an all-time record of 28-13-7 vs. Columbia and are 17-3-4 all-time at home vs. the Inferno. Columbia enters this week's action with a record of 9-11-6 (24 pts, 6th, South Division).
PROMOTIONS: The Everblades will be giving away a 2008 Florida Everblades Team Calendar to the first 5,000 fans on Saturday, December 22. This annual giveaway features great pictures of Everblades players and highlights the rest of the 2007-08 schedule, plus giveaway dates!
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
Tuesday, December 11 vs. Texas Wildcatters 4-3 OT Loss
The Everblades fell in overtime to the Texas Wildcatters on Tuesday night at Germain Arena. The first career hat-trick by rookie Mathieu Melanson was spoiled at the Wildcatters notched a power play goal three minutes into overtime. Justin Peters got the start in goal for Florida and saw his record go to 10-4-1 after allowing the four goals on 33 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-5; PK 4-for-7.
Friday, December 14 vs. Texas Wildcatters 4-3 OT Loss
For the second straight game, the Everblades fell in overtime to the Texas Wildcatters falling 4-3 on Friday night. The Everblades picked up the offense from Brad Herauf, J.B. Bittner and Brad Zancanaro, with Bittner and Zancanaro's goals coming on the power play. The Wildcatters however tied the game with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, then notched the game-winner 1:11 into overtime. Tyler Plante started in goal for Florida and earned a tie after stopping 34 of 38 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 2-for-5; PK: 2-for-2.
Saturday, December 15 vs. Texas Wildcatters 3-2 Loss
The Everblades suffered only their second regulation loss at home this season on Saturday night when they fell 3-2 to Texas. Ryan Van Buskirk and Brad Herauf tallied for Florida, but along with their first period goal, Texas' short-handed goal and a power play marker in the second period proved to be enough. In net Tyler Plante suffered the loss allowing the three goals on 42 Texas shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 2-for-6; PK: 6-for-7.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Monday, December 17 OFF DAY
Tuesday, December 18 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Wednesday, December 19 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Thursday, December 20 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Friday, December 21 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Columbia Inferno, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Saturday, December 22 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Columbia Inferno, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Sunday, December 23 OFF DAY
2007-08 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 14-9-2
Home Record 9-2-2
Road Record 5-7-0
Overtime Record 1-2
Shootout Record 2-0
Power Play 26-139 (10th)
Penalty Kill 129-146 (1st)
Leading Scorers
Mathieu Melanson 18-13-31
Ernie Hartlieb 9-15-24
Brad Zancanaro 7-13-20
Derek Damon 9-10-19
David Cornacchia 3-13-16
Leading Goaltenders
Justin Peters 2.17 GAA, 10-4-1
Tyler Plante 2.81 GAA, 4-5-1
Plus/Minus Leaders
Ernie Hartlieb +13
J.D. Forrest +8
Mathieu Melanson +7
Derek Damon +7
Player of the Week Nominee: This week's Everblades player of the Week nominee is Mathieu Melanson who was had four points in the three games this past week including his first career hat-trick on Tuesday night.
Special Teams Breakdown: Here's a look at the special teams of the Everblades and how it breaks down overall, home and away: Power play: 26-for-139 (18.7%) which ranks the Everblades 10th in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 18-for-79 (22.8%) which ranks 6th, and on the road the Everblades are 8-for-60 (13.3%) which ranks 18th. Penalty Kill: 129-for-146 (88.4%) which ranks the Everblades 1st in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 71-for-76 (93.4%) which is 2nd in the league and on the road the Everblades have killed off 58 of 70 (82.9%) chances against them which ranks 10th.
Milestones: Here's a look at upcoming milestones for Everblades players: Defenseman Steve Czech is five games away from playing in the 100th game of his career...forward Brad Herauf's is 56 penalty minutes away from 1,000 in his career... forward Jon Lehun needs 10 more points to reach 100 in his career and is 10 goals away from 50 in his career... defenseman Ryan Van Buskirk is 15 points shy of 100 for his career...head coach Gerry Fleming is seven wins away from 300 career wins as a head coach
Who's Hot!: Here's a look at who's hot for the Blades entering this week: F Mathieu Melanson has points in 15 of the last 18 games (14g, 11a)...F Brad Zancanaro has points in nine of the last 12 games (5g, 8a)...G Justin Peters has won six of his last eight starts (2.13 GAA).
Teddy Bear Mania!: The Everblades held their annual "Teddy Bear Toss!" on Saturday night at Germain arena and thanks to the generosity of the fans over 6,500 stuffed toys were tossed and collected for Southwest Florida area charities. On Tuesday, December 18 a group of Everblades players will be hand delivering some of the stuffed toys to children who are fighting cancer at the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
Everblades Coach's Show!: The Everblades coach's show "Blades Talk!" returns on Tuesday, December 18 from 7 - 8 p.m. at Don Haney's Smokehouse in Ft. Myers! Fans are encouraged to join Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming and the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter live in person at the Don Haney's Smokehouse located on Daniels Rd. in Ft. Myers. This week's special guest will be Everblades forward Mathieu Melanson. The show can also be heard live on SportsRadio 770 ESPN from 7 - 8 p.m. or can be heard via the internet by visiting the Everblades website at www.floridaeverblades.com.
Everblades 10th Anniversary Season: 2007-08 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Florida Everblades. In their first nine years the Everblades have compiled a record of 379-198-67 in 644 games...the team has never missed the playoffs in their history, and currently have the longest current streak in the ECHL of consecutive playoff appearances...the Everblades have advanced to the Conference Finals three times in the last four years, and made back-to-back appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals in 2004 & 2005...the team has on Brabham Cup title to its name after finishing with the ECHL's best regular season record in 1999-2000, and the club has won two division titles (1999-2000 & 2006-07).
Ticket Information: Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
On the Air: Everblades games, home and away, can be heard on SportsRadio 770 ESPN and via the internet courtesy of Waterman Broadcasting by logging on to www.abc-7.com/sports. In addition, Everblades games can be viewed via the internet thanks to B2 Networks by logging on to www.b2live.com. Join the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter as he calls all the action! The Everblades pre-game show begins 20 minutes prior to game time.
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