Everblades Weekly
Published on March 2, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades opened up their five-game home stand with a three-game sweep over the Johnstown Chiefs this week. Overall the Everblades still enter this week with the league's best record at 38-16-3 (79 pts., 1st South Division).
THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)
Friday, & Saturday, March 6 & 7 vs. Mississippi Sea Wovles Both Games: 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES: The Everblades continue their home stand this weekend with a pair of games vs. Mississippi. The two games are the first of four straight between the South Division rivals as the clubs will meet again next weekend in Mississippi. The Blades and Sea Wolves haven't faced each other since Jan. 10 when the Everblades collected a 2-1 win at Germain Arena. Overall the two games are the 7th & 8th of 12 between the teams this season and are the 5th & 6th of 8 at Germain Arena. So far this season the Everblades are a perfect 6-0-0 vs. Mississippi and have outscored the Sea Wolves 26-11. The Sea Wolves enter this week riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) and with an overall record of 24-25-7 (55 pts., 4th, South Division).
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS & COMMUNITY APPEARANCES:
Monday, March 2: Two Everblade players will be appearing at Skyline Elementary School for the "Read Across America" celebration from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: Three Everblade players will be appearing at Veterans Park Academy in Lehigh Acres for the "Read Across America" celebration from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4: Three Everblade players will be appearing at San Carlos Park Elementary School for the "Read Across America" celebration from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Friday, March 6: "Pink in the Rink" Night: The Everblades are holding their Inaugural "Pink in the Rink" Night to help raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Research. The Everblades players will be wearing special jerseys that will be auctioned off live after the game with the proceeds split between three local SW Florida charities. Everblades forward Ernie Hartlieb will also be donating his hair to Locks of Love following the game! Hartlieb's mother, who owns a hair saloon in Michigan is being flown in to cut his hair following the game! The Everblades are also extending an invitation to any fans that are interested in donating their hair as well! Those fans interested, please visit www.locksoflove.org to make sure you meet their guidelines for donating!
Saturday, March 7: "Fire on Ice" The Everblades are hosting their annual "Fire on Ice" on ice game where local SW Florida fire fighters take on fire fighters from Atlanta prior to the Blades game! Doors open early so fans can see the action!
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Wednesday, February 25 vs. Johnstown Chiefs 4-3 Win
The Everblades ended their four-game winless streak with a 4-3 win over Johnstown at Germain Arena. Milan Gajic and Ernie Hartlieb scored first period goals for the Everblades to match Johnstown's two first period goals. After the Chiefs took the lead in the second period, Kevin Baker scored the next two goals, the first to tie the game in the second period, then the game-winner with just 1:25 remaining in regulation. In goal David Leggio allowed the three Johnstown goals on 17 shots. Florida's Special Teams: PP: 2-of-9; PK: 5-of-7.
Friday, February 27 vs. Johnstown Chiefs 4-2 Win
The Everblades notched their third win of the season over the Chiefs on Friday night with a 4-2 win. After Johnstown jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Everblades stormed back with four second period goals to collect the victory. Colin Nicholson and Mark Lee scored goals in the first six minutes of the middle period to even the score. Midway through the period Kevin Baker and Milan Gajic added the other two goals to push the Everblades into the lead and grab some insurance. In goal, David Leggio turned in another strong game stopping 22 of 24 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-of-6; PK: 7-of-8
Saturday, February 28 vs. Johnstown Chiefs 4-1 Win
The Everblades finished off the three-game sweep on Saturday night over Johnstown with an impressive 4-1 effort. The Everblades jumped out early scoring twice in the first period on goals by Kevin Baker and Patrick Bordeleau. After a scoreless second period the Everblades increased their lead with a goal by Peter Metcalf early in the third period. The Chiefs climbed back within two five minutes into the third period, but Ross Carlson pushed the Everblades back to a three-goal lead midway through the frame. In goal David Leggio finished off a strong week by stopping 20 of 21 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-of-11; PK: 6-of-7.
EVERBLADES ITINERARY: (all times eastern)
Monday, Mar. 2: OFF DAY
Tuesday, Mar 3: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Wednesday, Mar. 4: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Thursday, Mar. 5: Practice, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Friday, Mar. 6: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Mississippi Sea Wolves, 7:30p.m. @ Germain Arena
Saturday, Mar. 7: Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME vs. Mississippi Sea Wolves, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Sunday, Mar. 8: OFF DAY
2008-09 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERSQuick Stats
Overall Record 38-16-3
Home Record 20-7-0
Road Record 18-9-3
Overtime Record 2-1
Shootout Record 1-2
Power Play 82-384 (4th)
Penalty Kill 332-382 (3rd)
Leading Scorers
Kevin Baker 47-36-83
Peter Metcalf 7-41-48
Ernie Hartlieb 15-29-44
Ryan Lang 16-26-42
Mathieu Roy 19-19-38
Danick Bouchard 18-17-35
Leading Goaltenders
David Leggio 2.33 GAA, 20-6-1
Anton Khudobin 2.71 GAA, 18-10-1
Plus/Minus Leaders
Ryan McGinnis +13
Colin Nicholson +13
Ryan Lang +12
Ernie Hartlieb +10
Player & Goalie of the Week Nominees: This week's Player of the Week nominee is Kevin Baker who registered five points in the three games (4g, 1a), was a plus-2 and added two game-winning goals. This week's Goaltender of the Week nominee is David Leggio who was a perfect 3-0-0 with a 2.00 goals against average.
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: 82-of-384 (21.4%) which ranks the Everblades 4th in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 31-of-176 (17.6%) which ranks 9th. On the road the Everblades are 51-of-208 (24.5%) which ranks 1st in the league. Penalty Kill: 332-of-382 (86.9%) which ranks the Everblades 3rd in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 161-of-189 (85.2%) which is 7th. 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. Kevin Baker, who has already set Everblades single-season records for goals (47) and power play goals (22) sees his 83 points within striking distance of the Everblades single-season points record which is also held by Brian McCullough and Tom Buckley at 87...Baker is also on pace to set the single-season record for game winning goals. He has 10, which also leads the ECHL, and the record is 11. The fall of the single-season shots on goal record is imminent as well. Baker enters this week's action game with 271 and the current record held by Buckely is 287 ...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.
Captain Clutch!: Everblades Captain Kevin Baker scored the game-winning goal in the two of the three games vs. Johnstown Chiefs this week, which brings his overall total to 10 for the season. Aside from the above mentioned place that number stands, Baker has now scored the game-winning goal in five of Florida's last six wins.
Countdown to 50: Everblades captain Kevin Baker needs only three goals to become the first player to score 50 goals in the ECHL since 2000-01. The 47 goals are a career best for Baker, who had 36 goals in 62 games for Texas in 2006-07, and break the team record of 40 goals by Brian McCullough in 2003-04. Andrew Williamson of Toledo led the league in 2000-01 with 52 goals in 66 games and in 1999-2000 with 63 goals in 63 games. There have been 41 players in ECHL history who have scored 50 goals. The most goals in the last seven seasons was 49 by Chris Minard of Alaska in 2004-05. The ECHL record is 85 goals by Trevor Jobe of Nashville in 1992-93.
Magic Number: The Everblades' magic number for clinching a playoff spot in the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs is at four entering this week's action vs. Mississippi. The Blades find themselves seven points away from Mississippi not being able to catch them in the standings. Any combination of four wins or three wins and a tie by the Everblades or four losses, or three losses and a tie by the Sea Wolves will officially get Florida locked into the post season. As it stands, the most points the Sea Wolves can garner this year if they win the rest of their games is 85. The Everblades currently have 79.
Who's Hot: Here's a look at who's been playing well for the Everblades of late: F Kevin Baker has picked up points in 17 of the last 19 games (17g, 14a)...F Mathieu Roy has a point in 11 of the last 15 games (8g, 8a)...newcomer Milan Gajic has had an immediate impact since joining the Everblades on Feb. 19 scoring at least one point in five of his six games he's been with the Everblades (4g, 6a).
Individual League Leaders: 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 83 points, he's also leading the league in goals scored with 47, power play goals scored with 22, power play points with 40 and game winning goals with 10...Danick Bouchard leads all rookies with six game-winning goals...defensively Peter Metcalf is first in scoring among all blue liners with 48 points and is tied for first among all d-men, and fourth overall in the league with 41 assists. He is also second in power play assists and points with 23 and 29 respectively...goaltending wise, both Anton Khudobin and David Leggio are among the top 10 goalies. Leggio ranks first with his 2.33 GAA and Khudobin is ranked tenth with his 2.71 GAA. Both are also second in the league with four shutouts.
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, March 3 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.
ECHL Stories from March 2, 2009
- Weekly Arrowhead - Johnstown Chiefs
- $1 Tickets for High School/College Students this Wednesday - Bakersfield Condors
- Condors continue winning ways over weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- Off The Hook: Steelheads Update - Idaho Steelheads
- Steelheads. Cool. Period. Green. Period. - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Defending Champs Lead Tight North Race - ECHL
- Thunder 3-1-0 In Last 4, Host "Easy Being Green" - Stockton Thunder
- Phoenix Continues Playoff Drive with a Three-Game Week at Home - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Roach Loaned to Quad City - Elmira Jackals
- Reading Royals Weekly - Reading Royals
- Devils lose to Nailers three times in the week, head south this weekend - Trenton Devils
- Grizzlies Head For California As Trip Continues - Utah Grizzlies
- Bombers Weekly News - Dayton Bombers
- Sea Wolves Weekly - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- First Place Cyclones Hit Road This Week - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Everblades Weekly - Florida Everblades
- Rays Earn Four Points Last Week - South Carolina Stingrays
- Bus Trip to Charlotte Update - Columbia Inferno
- Unlikely Hat Trick Leads to Aces Comeback Win - Alaska Aces
- Condors keep rolling with 4-3 shootout win - Bakersfield Condors
- Grizzlies Fall 4-3 In Alaska - Utah Grizzlies
- Wranglers Edged By Condors 4-3 In a Shootout - Las Vegas Wranglers
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.
