ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

February 4, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades completed this past week with a 1-3-0 record. The Everblades enter this week's action with a record of 24-18-4 (52 pts., 4th, South Division.)

UPCOMING GAMES (All times Eastern)

Friday & Saturday, February 8 & 9 vs. Augusta Lynx

Game Times: 7:30 p.m. Both Games

The Everblades return home to begin a six-game home stand this weekend when the Augusta Lynx come to Germain Arena. The games are the fourth and fifth of seven between the two South Division rivals, and are the first two of three at home vs. the Lynx this season. The Everblades are 1-2-0 vs. Augusta this season with their one win coming in the most recent meeting between the clubs on January 11 when the Blades picked up a 6-1 victory. The Everblades hold an all-time record of 48-15-6 vs. Augusta and are 25-5-3 all-time at home vs. the Lynx. Augusta enters this week with a record of 23-19-4 (50 pts., 5th, South Division).

PROMOTIONS:

Friday, February 8: The Everblades' annual "Pack the House Night!" Join the Everblades as they try to set an all-time team recrod for the largest attended regular season game in team history!! Tickets are going fast so get yours today!! Also, all fans in attendance will receive an Everblades bumper sticker upon their exit from the arena!

Saturday, February 9: NASCAR Night!! It's the Everblades annual salute to the start of the NASCAR season! Come enjoy racing related activities outside Germain Arena before the game! A NASCAR simulator will be set up for fans to experience what it's like to drive a race car! Pre-game events are courtesy of Coca-Cola! Once again this year there will also be a car from the Germain Racing stable on hand for fans to see!

LAST WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, January 29 vs. South Carolina Stingrays 3-2 Win

The Everblades wrapped up their three-game home stand with a 3-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays. The Everblades scored the game's first three goals off the sticks of Steve Czech, Ernie Hartlieb and Kirk MacDonald. South Carolina made a late push scoring two third period goals, but goaltender Justin Peters held to fort to preserve the win by stopping 28 of 30 overall shots and stopping a late third period penalty shot. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-3; PK: 5-for-6.

Thursday, January 31 at Texas Wildcatters 6-3 Loss

The Everblades fell in the opener of a three-game set at Texas. The Wildcatters stung the Everblades with four first period goals, but the Blades bounced back scoring three goals in the second period by Mike McLean, Jarret Lukin and Ernie Hartlieb to trim the lead to 4-3. The come-back effort fell short however as Texas scored a pair of third period goals. The Everblades out-shot the Wildcatters 37-31 and goaltender David Shantz, who started the game, but was pulled after Texas' fourth goal, suffered the loss. Justin Peters finished off the remainder of the game in goal for Florida and stopped 20 of 22 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-9; PK: 2-for-5.

Friday, February 1 at Texas Wildcatters 2-0 Loss

The Everblades suffered their first scoreless effort of the season on Saturday night in a high-octane contest. Both teams had scoring chances thwarted by the goaltenders as the game wound into the final two minutes of the third period scoreless. Texas broke the scoreless deadlock with 67 seconds remaining in regulation on a power play goal, then sealed the win with an empty-net goal. In goal Justin Peters stopped 37 of 38 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-4; PK: 4-for-5.

Saturday, Februday 2 at Texas Wildcatters 4-1 Loss

The Everblades finished off the week with another tough loss to Texas. A fight-filled game saw each team notched an early first period goal, with Dan Collins cashing in for the Everblades. The score remained tied 1-1 until the third period when the Wildcatters cashed in on three goals to open a 4-1 lead. The team's combined for four scraps and a combined total 113 penalty minutes. Goaltender Justin Peters suffered the loss after allowing the four goals on 32 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-9; PK: 6-for-7.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Monday, February 4 OFF DAY

Tuesday, February 5 OFF DAY

Wednesday, February 6 Practice, 11:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

Thursday, February 7 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

Friday, February 8 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

GAME vs. Augusta Lynx, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Saturday, February 9 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

GAME vs. Augusta Lynx, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Sunday, February 10 OFF DAY

2007-08 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERSQuick Stats

Overall Record 24-18-4

Home Record 14-4-3

Road Record 10-14-1

Overtime Record 1-4

Shootout Record 2-0

Power Play 47-261 (11th)

Penalty Kill 240-282 (8th)

Leading Scorers

Derek Damon 17-30-47

Mathieu Melanson 20-20-40

Ernie Hartlieb 15-23-38

David Cornacchia 7-22-29

Kirk MacDonald 10-13-23

Leading Goaltenders

Kevin Nastiuk 2.53 GAA, 1-1-0

Justin Peters 2.68 GAA, 16-10-2

Tyler Plante 2.81 GAA, 4-5-1 David Shantz 3.05 GAA, 3-2-1

Plus/Minus Leaders

Ernie Hartlieb +11

Kirk MacDonald +10

J.D. Forrest +8

David Cornacchia +7

Player of the Week Nominee: This week's Everblades Goaltender of the Week nominee is Justin Peters who was 1-2-0 with a 2.39 GAA and a .967 save percentage in four appeareances.

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: 47-for-261 (18.0%) which ranks the Everblades 11th in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 26-for-119 (21.8%) which ranks 5th, and on the road the Everblades are 21-for-142 (14.8%) which ranks 17th. Penalty Kill: 240-for-282 (85.1%) which ranks the Everblades 8th in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 109-for-124 (87.9%) which is 3rd in the league and on the road the Everblades have killed off 131 of 158 (82.9%) chances against them which ranks 12th.

Roster Moves: During the past week the Everblades had defenseman Jordan Henry recalled from the club by the Florida Panthers from the Rochester Americans. Henry heads back to the AHL where he has played in 21 games with Rochester this season.

Approaching Milestones: Here's a look at upcoming milestones for Everblades players: F Ernie Hartlieb is four goals shy of hitting 100 for his career...D Brad Brown is 17 games away from hitting the 600 mark in his 12-year career...F Derek Damon is two points away from hitting the century mark in his career...D Ryan Van Buskirk is nine points away from the 100-point plateau in his career.

Who's Hot!: Here's a look at who's hot for the Blades entering this week: F Derek Damon has picked up points in nine of the last 10 games (3g, 10a)...F Mathieu Melanson has registered points in six of his last nine games (2g, 8a) dating back to Dec. 15, prior to his call up to the AHL.

Another Graduate!: Former Everblades forward David Brine became the 14th player in Everblades history to play for the Blades and play at least one game in the National Hockey League after making his NHL debut on Saturday, February 3 with the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old skated 12 shifts for just over eight minutes of action in Florida's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brine made his professional debut with the Everblades in 2006-07 playing in 52 games and registering 30 points (9g, 21a). Brine began this season with Rochester in the American Hockey League where he notched 15 points (7g, 8a) in 47 games.

Everblades Coach's Show: The Everblades coach's show "Blades Talk!" returns on Tuesday, February 5 from 7 - 8 p.m. at Don Haney's Smokehouse in Ft. Myers! Fans are encouraged to join Everblades associate coach Jason Nobili 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 is Everblades forward Brad Herauf. 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.

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 4, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central