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ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

February 25, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades completed this past week with a 2-1-1 record. The Everblades enter this week's action with a record of 31-20-5 (67 pts., 4th, South Division.)

UPCOMING GAMES (All times Eastern)

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, February 29, March 1 & 2 at Pensacola Ice Pilots

Game Times: 8:05 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.); 6:05 p.m. (Sun)

The Everblades finish off their season-long seven-game road trip this weekend with a three-games-in-three-night's set at Pensacola. The games are the final three to be played at Pensacola this season between the two South Division rivals and the 8th, 9th and 10th of 11 total meetings between the two. The final meeting of the year will come on April 1 at Germain Arena. Pensacola enters this week riding a having gathered points in seven of their last 10 games and with an overall record of 14-33-7 (35 pts., 9th, South Division).

LAST WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, February 20 at Charlotte Checkers 3-2 Loss

The Everblades opened their season-long seven-game road trip with a 3-2 loss at Charlotte. The loss snapped Florida's season-high five-game winning streak they held entering the game. The Everblades spotted the Checkers a 3-0 by the 15 minute mark of the second period before mounting a come-back effort. Brad Herauf scored a late second period goal for the Everblades and Mike McLean scored early in the third, but that was as close as the Everblades would get. In goal Kevin Nastiuk suffered the loss after allowing the three goals on 27 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-5; PK: 4-for-6.

Friday, February 22 at Augusta Lynx 4-2 Win

The Everblades jumped back on the winning side of things after a dominating 4-2 win at Augusta. The Everblades jumped all over the Lynx early, scoring three goals in the first five minutes of the game. Steve Czech, Brandon Roach and Kirk MacDonald set the tone with the quick goals and Jarret Lukin added a second period marker for the Blades, who stymied Augusta in the third period holding them to just four shots on goal. In goal David Shantz won his third straight by stopping 27 of 29 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-3; PK: 3-for-4.

Saturday, February 23 at Charlotte Checkers 3-2 Shootout Win

The Everblades returned to Charlotte and held off a hard charge by the Checkers to win 3-2 in a shootout in the final meeting of the regular season between the South Division rivals. Mathieu Melanson scored and early first period goal and Brett Peterson added an early second period tally to stake the Everblades to a 2-0 lead two minutes into the second period. But the Checkers came charging back to add second period goal and a third period power play marker to tie the game. The Everblades survived the pressure to force the game to overtime and eventually a shootout. In the shootout the Everblades got goals in the first two rounds by Melanson and Ernie Hartlieb to set the tone. The game was finished off when Brad Zancanaro scored in Florida's 5th round to give the Blades a 3-1 shootout advantage. In goal David Shantz won his fourth straight game after making 30 saves in regulation and overtime and stopping three of four shooters in the shootout. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-for-2; PK: 5-for-6.

Sunday, February 24 at South Carolina Stingrays 4-3 Shootout Loss

The Everblades gained point at South Carolina on Sunday after falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Stingrays. A strange game saw neither team score in the first period, then both teams combined for six goals in the second period. The Everblades tallied the game's first three goals with Kirk MacDonald opening the scoring by setting an all-time Everblades record scoring 11 seconds into the period. Ernie Hartlieb followed that goal up with a power play marker just over four minutes into the frame. MacDonald then extended Florida's lead to 3-0 with a short-handed tally eight minutes in. South Carolina mounted a comeback by scoring three times in the final eight minutes of the period to even the score. After neither team scored in the overtime period, the Stingrays outscored the Everblades 2-1 in the shootout for the win. In goal Kevin Nastiuk earned a tie after stopping 24 of 27 shots in regulation and overtime. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-for-6; PK: 3-for-3.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Monday, February 25 OFF DAY

Tuesday, February 26 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

Wednesday, February 27 Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena

Thursday, February 28 Travel Day to Pensacola

Friday, February 29 GAME vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 8:05 p.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center

Saturday, March 1 GAME vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 8:05 p.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center

Sunday, March 2 GAME vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 6:05 p.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center

2007-08 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS

Quick Stats

Overall Record 31-20-4

Home Record 19-5-3

Road Record 12-15-1

Overtime Record 1-3

Shootout Record 4-0

Power Play 57-312 (10th)

Penalty Kill 291-340 (4th)

Leading Scorers

Mathieu Melanson 25-27-52

Derek Damon 19-33-52

Ernie Hartlieb 18-31-49

Preston Callander 13-23-36

David Cornacchia 8-28-36

Leading Goaltenders

Justin Peters 2.57 GAA, 18-10-2

Kevin Nastiuk 2.78 GAA, 2-2-1

Tyler Plante 2.81 GAA, 4-5-1

David Shantz 2.82 GAA, 7-3-1

Plus/Minus Leaders

Kirk MacDonald +20

Ernie Hartlieb +16

Brandon Roach +12

Preston Callander +10

Player of the Week Nominee: This week's Everblades Player of the Week nominee is forward Kirk MacDonald who had four points (2g, 2a) in the four games this past week. Goaltender of the Week nominee is David Shantz who was 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and a .934 save percentage in the two games he appeared in.

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: 57-for-312 (18.3%) which ranks the Everblades 10th in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 34-for-154 (22.1%) which ranks 4th, and on the road the Everblades are 23-for-158 (14.6%) which ranks 17th. Penalty Kill: 291-for-340 (85.6%) which ranks the Everblades 4th in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 145-for-163 (89.0%) which is 3rd in the league and on the road the Everblades have killed off 146 of 177 (82.5%) chances against them which ranks 10th.

Who's Hot!: Here's a look at who's hot for the Blades entering this week: G David Shantz has won his last four starts posting a 1.96 goals against average...F Mathieu Melanson has picked up points in seven of the last eight games (5g, 7a)...F Ernie Hartlieb has notched points in eight of the last nine games (3g, 8a)...F Preston Callander has registered a point in eight of the last 10 games (5g, 9a)...F Kirk MacDonald has points in six of the last nine games (3g, 6a)...F Brad Herauf has notched a point in seven of eight games (2g, 6a).

Everblades Coach's Show: The Everblades coach's show "Blades Talk!" returns on Tuesday, February 26 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 defenseman Brad Brown. 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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