ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

February 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades closed out a busy week on the road by going 0-3-1 on their four-game trip in Charlotte and Gwinnett. Overall the Everblades still enter this week with the league's best record at 35-16-3 (73 pts., 1st South Division).

THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday, February 25, 27 & 28 vs. Johnstown Chiefs All Games: 7:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades return home to begin a five-game home stand that will span the next two weeks. This week the Everblades play their final out-of-division games as the Chiefs come to town for three games. The games mark the first-ever visit by Johnstown to SW Florida. Earlier this season the Everblades and Chiefs met for the first time in the team's histories in Johnstown, PA on Nov. 30 with the Blades pulling out a 4-3 overtime win. The Chiefs enter this week's with an overall record of 31-19-3 (65 pts., T-1st, North Division).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS & COMMUNITY APPEARANCES:

Tuesday, February 24: Two Everblade players will be appearing at Lehigh Acres Middle School for their "Aim High" forum from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, February 25: "Canada Night!" & Kevin Baker Super Card Giveaway! The Everblades are holding a night for our friends from the north! The Blades are extending an offer to anyone who's Canadian that night, that if you show your Canadian ID when purchasing your tickets at the box office you'll get a coupon for a free Molson Canadian draft! For those season ticket holders or fans who already had their tickets, they can show their ID at the Everblades information table behind section 108 once inside to get their coupon! Plus, the Everblades will be playing the Canadian National Anthem before the game and the music that night during the game will feature Canadian artists!

Wednesday night it also Big Brothers, Big Sisters Super Card Giveaway night! The first 3,000 fans will receive a cool oversized commemorative card featuring All-Star Kevin Baker!

Thursday, February 26: The Everblades will have players out a two local schools to participate in the "Read Across America" celebration. The Everblades will be at both Cape Coral Charter School and Veterans Memorial School from 1-2 p.m. to read to the kids!

Saturday, February 28: "Kids Night!" The Everblades are hosting Kids Night on the 28th! The first 1,000 kids into the arena that night will receive a Kids Everblades Jersey courtesy of Wendy's! Chick-fil-A will also be on hand giving out coupons for food!

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Tuesday, February 17 at Charlotte Checkers 4-0 Loss

The Everblades ran into a red-hot goaltender in Jeff Jakaitis on Tuesday night to open their four-game road trip. Jakaitis stopped all 50 shots the Everblades fired at him en-route to his second shutout against Florida this season. It marked the fourth time the Everblades have been held off the scoreboard this season. In goal David Leggio allowed four Charlotte goals on 22 shots. Florida's Special Teams: PP: 0-of-6; PK: 5-of-5.

Thursday, February 19 at Charlotte Checkers 6-5 Shootout Loss

The Everblades unfortunately let a game slip from their grasp after Charlotte engineered a three-goal third period to tie the game and force it to a shootout. The Everblades stormed out fast with two first period goals by Doug O'Brien and Colin Nicholson. Newcomer Milan Gajic scored his first of the season in the second period and two quick third period goals by Mathieu Roy and Ross Carlson opened a 5-2 Everblades lead six minutes into the final period. The Checkers stormed back with three goals in the final 14 minutes, with the last coming on a penalty shot with less than two minutes remaining. The Checkers eventually won in the shootout which took 10 rounds. In goal, Chris Beckford-Tseu made his only appearance with the team after being sent down earlier in the day from Rochester and earned a tie in the standings after allowing five goals on 36 shots in regulation and overtime. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-of-4; PK: 5-of-7

Saturday, February 21 at Charlotte Checkers 5-2 Loss

The Everblades saw their road slump hit six games after falling in Charlotte on Saturday night. The Checkers took advantage of two first period turnovers to carry a 2-0 lead to the locker room. The Everblades responded with two second period goals by Kevin Baker and Ross Carlson to tie the game, but Charlotte again took advantage of a Blades turnover to score with 4.6 seconds left in the second period. Charlotte sealed the win with two empty-net goals in the final two minutes of the game. In goal Anton Khudobin took the loss allowing three goals on 21 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-of-6; PK: 7-of-7.

Sunday, February 22 at Gwinnett Gladiators 6-3 Loss

The Everblades' road winless skid his seven games after a tough 6-3 loss to Gwinnett. Both teams came out firing and scored in the first minute. The Gladiators opened the scoring just 22 seconds in and Milan Gajic answered at 1:04 for the Everblades. From there however Gwinnett notched the game's next four goals to open a 5-1 lead midway through the third period before Danick Bouchard and Patrick Bordeleau scored a minute apart in the last two minutes of regulation. Gwinnett added and empty net goal with four seconds remaining. In net Anton Khudobin suffered the loss allowing five goals on 31 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-of-5; PK: 3-of-4.

EVERBLADES ITINERARY: (all times eastern)
Monday, Feb 23: OFF DAY
Tuesday, Feb. 24: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Wednesday, Feb. 25: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Johnstown Chiefs, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Thursday, Feb. 26: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Friday, Feb. 27: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Johnstown Chiefs, 7:30p.m. @ Germain Arena
Saturday, Feb. 28: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Johnstown Chiefs, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Sunday, Mar. 1: OFF DAY

2008-09 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 35-16-3
Home Record 17-7-0
Road Record 18-9-3
Overtime Record 2-1
Shootout Record 1-2
Power Play 78-358 (3rd)
Penalty Kill 324-360 (3rd)

Leading Scorers
Kevin Baker 43-35-78
Peter Metcalf 6-40-46
Ryan Lang 16-26-42
Ernie Hartlieb 14-27-41
Mathieu Roy 19-17-36
Danick Bouchard 18-14-32

Leading Goaltenders
David Leggio 2.37 GAA, 16-5-1
Anton Khudobin 2.70 GAA, 17-7-1

Plus/Minus Leaders
Ryan McGinnis +13
Ryan Lang +12
Colin Nicholson +11
Three tied with +8

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: 78-of-358 (21.8%) which ranks the Everblades 3rd in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 27-of-150 (18.0%) which ranks 8th. On the road the Everblades are 51-of-208 (24.5%) which ranks 1st in the league. Penalty Kill: 324-of-360 (87.2%) which ranks the Everblades 3rd in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 143-of-167 (85.6%) which is 5th. On the road the Everblades have killed off 171-of-193 (88.6%) which ranks 2nd in the league.

Single Season Records in Danger!: There are a few Everblades' all-time single season records that are in danger of falling. Amazingly, Kevin Baker is also in striking distance of the Everblades single-season points record which is held by Brian McCullough and Tom Buckley at 87. Baker currently has 78 points...Ryan Lang is one short-handed goal away from tying for the top spot for most one in year with four...goaltenders David Leggio and Anton Khudobin are both currently second in single season history with four shutouts, one off the pace of Jeff Maund (2003-04) and Marc Magliarditi (1998-99) for the top spot.

Who's Hot: Here's a look at who's been playing well for the Everblades of late: F Kevin Baker has picked points in 14 of the last 16 games (13g, 13a)...F Mathieu Roy has a point in 9 of the last 12 games (8g, 6a).

Individual League Leaders: Now past the half way point in the season, the Everblades' players and team find themselves at or near the top of the ECHL in several statistical categories. Kevin Baker is leading the league in several categories, beginning with his 78 points, he's also leading the league in goals scored with 43, power play goals scored with 20, power play points with 35 and game winning goals with eight...Danick Bouchard leads all rookies with six game-winning goals...defensively Peter Metcalf is first in scoring among all blue liners with 46 points and is first among all d-men, and fourth overall in the league with 40 assists. He is also second in power play assists and points with 23 and 28 respectively...goaltending wise, both Anton Khudobin and David Leggio are second in the league with four shutouts.

Game Date Change!!: The Everblades have moved their originally scheduled game on Sunday, March 1 at 4:00 p.m. to Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. The game day promotion of "Kid's Day" will still take place on the 28th with the first 1,000 kids entering the arena receiving a kids Everblades jersey courtesy of Wendy's

Celebrity Waiter Dinner: The Everblades' 10th Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner is taking place on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m.! The annual dinner, which features the Everblades players serving as the waiters for the evening, is $75 per person and features a first-class meal at the Big Cypress Club inside Germain Arena. This year door prizes will be given out including a chance to win a free Cypress Club Membership for 2009-10! There will also be a silent auction held for a chance to win dinner at the Veranda Restaurant in Ft. Myers with two Everblade players of your choice! All the proceeds raised from the cost of the dinner and the silent auction will be donated to the Barbara's Friends Children's Cancer Research charity! Call 239-948-7825 for more info or to sign up today!

Coach's Show: The Everblades coach's show Blades Talk will have it's next episode air on Tuesday, February 24 from 7-8 p.m. Fans can join the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter and head coach Malcolm Cameron live at J. Daniels Bar & Grill in Ft. Myers for the show! The show can also be heard live on 770 ESPN Radio and via the internet at www.floridaeverblades.com or www.abc-7.com.

Ticket Information: Everblades 2008-09 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.

On the Air: Everblades games, home and away, can be heard on 770 ESPN Radio and via the internet courtesy of Waterman Broadcasting by logging on to www.floridaeverblades.com or 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 23, 2009


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