ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

March 15, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades ended a quick three-game road trip with a 1-1-1 record. Overall the Everblades still enter this week with the league's best record at 41-17-4 (86 pts., 1st South Division).

THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Tuesday & Wednesday, March 17 & 18 vs. Charlotte Checkers Both Games: 7:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades renew their rivalry with the Checkers with four straight games, two at Germain Arena and two in Charlotte. The two games at Germain Arena will be the 13th and 14th of 19 between the South Division rivals and the sixth and seventh of nine in Florida. The last time the teams met the Checkers picked up a 5-2 win on Feb. 21. The Checkers have won the last four meetings between the teams and have a 7-5-0 record vs. Florida this year. The Checkers enter this week with an overall record of 31-24-6 (68 pts., 3rd, South Division).

Friday & Sunday, March 20 & 22 at Charlotte Checkers Friday, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades finish off the week with two more games at Time Warner Cable Arena. The games are the final two of nine between the clubs in Charlotte. The Everblades are 2-4-1 on the road vs. Charlotte this season.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Friday, March 13 at Mississippi Sea Wolves 3-2 Overtime Loss

The Everblades dropped an overtime decision to the Sea Wolves on Friday night at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. After Mississippi jumped to a 1-0 first period lead, the Everblades tied the game in the second period on a goal by Steve McJannet. The Sea Wolves took a 2-1 lead early in the third period, but Kevin Baker tied the game late in the third period to send to game to overtime. Mississippi scored the game-winner on the power play. In goal David Leggio earned a tie after stopping 25 of 28 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-of-4; PK: 4-of-5.

Saturday, March 14 at Mississippi Sea Wolves 3-2 Win

The Everblades battled from behind to earn a 3-2 win on Saturday. The Everblades opened the scoring on Colin Nicholson's first goal of the night less than six minutes into the game. The Sea Wolves tied the game on a short-handed goal later in the first, then took the lead with an early third period goal. Nicholson's second goal came midway through the third period to tie the game and Milan Gajic netted the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. In goal Kyle Gajewski was spectacular, stopping 26 of 28 shots in his first start with the Everblades. Florida Special Teams: PP: 0-of-5; PK: 7-of-7.

Sunday, March 15 at Gwinnett Gladiators 6-3 Loss

The Everblades suffered a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Gladiators to finish off their road trip. After coughing up three second period goals, the Everblades began a come-back effort just 24 seconds into the third period on a goal by A.J. Thelen. Gwinnett however answered with their fourth goal a few minutes later. Kevin Baker and Ernie Hartlieb followed with goals separated by just over a minute to cut the Gladiators lead to one, but Gwinnett finished the game off with a short-handed and empty net goal. In goal David Leggio took the loss allowing five goal on 33 shots. Florida Special Teams: PP: 1-of-4; PK: 5-of-7.

EVERBLADES ITINERARY: (all times eastern)

Monday, Mar. 16: OFF DAY

Tuesday, Mar 17: GAME vs. Charlotte Checkers, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

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

Wednesday, Mar. 18: GAME vs. Charlotte Checkers, 7:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

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

Thursday, Mar. 19: Travel to Charlotte

Friday, Mar. 20: GAME vs. Charlotte Checkers, 7:05 p.m. @ Time Warner Cable Arena

Saturday, Mar. 21: Practice at Charlotte

Sunday, Mar. 22: GAME vs. Charlotte Checkers, 4:05 p.m. @ Time Warner Cable Arena

2008-09 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS

Quick Stats

Overall Record 41-17-4

Home Record 22-7-0

Road Record 19-10-4

Overtime Record 2-2

Shootout Record 1-2

Power Play 85-406 (4th)

Penalty Kill 357-410 (2nd)

Leading Scorers

Kevin Baker 49-40-89

Peter Metcalf 8-42-50

Ernie Hartlieb 17-31-48

Ryan Lang 16-26-42

Mathieu Roy 20-21-41

Danick Bouchard 18-19-37

Leading Goaltenders

David Leggio 2.35 GAA, 22-7-2

Anton Khudobin 2.71 GAA, 18-10-1

Kyle Gajewski 3.69 GAA, 9-11-2

Chris Beckford-Tseu 4.62 GAA, 0-0-1

Plus/Minus Leaders

Colin Nicholson +18

Ryan McGinnis +13

Ernie Hartlieb +13

Ryan Lang +12

Weekly Nominees: This week's Player of the Week nominee is Goaltender of the Week nominee is David Leggio who was a perfect 2-0-0 with a 1.00 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: 85-of-406 (20.9%) which ranks the Everblades 4th in the ECHL. At home the Everblades are 33-of-185 (17.8%) which ranks 9th. On the road the Everblades are 52-of-221 (23.5%) which ranks 2nd in the league. Penalty Kill: 357-of-410 (87.1%) which ranks the Everblades 2nd in the ECHL. At home the 'Blades are 170-of-198 (85.9%) which is 5th. On the road the Everblades have killed off 187-of-212 (88.2%) which ranks 1st in the league.

Record Breaking Nigh: Everblades captain Kevin Baker continued his record-breaking pace this week, setting two more Everblades single-season records. On March 15 Baker set a pair of single-season records. The first record fell in the opening period when he recorded his 288th shot on goal which sets the new single-season record, passing Tom Buckley who had 287. The second record was the point record when he assisted on A.J. Thelen's goal in the third period. The assist was his 88th point which broke the previous mark of 87 held by both Tom Buckley and Brian McCullough. The two records add to Baker's collection. He currently holds the Everblades single-season mark for goals, points, power play goals and shots.

Next On The List: With a playoff spot locked up, the next item on the Blades' list is sealing up home ice advantage in the best-of-seven first-round division playoffs. The Everblades currently hold first place with 86 points which puts their magic number to clinch home ice in the opening one. If the Everblades win either game this week against Charlotte, the clinch home ice in the first round of the playoffs. As soon as the Blades beat Charlotte, the Checkers can no longer catch the Everblades in the standings meaning Florida can finish no lower that second place in the division, which guarantees them home ice in the opening round.

Single Season Records in Danger!: There are a few Everblades' all-time single season records that are in danger of falling...Ryan Lang is one short-handed goal away from tying for the top spot for most one in year with four...goaltenders David Leggio an 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.

Countdown to 50: Everblades captain Kevin Baker needs only one more goal to become the first player to score 50 goals in the ECHL since 2000-01. The 49 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.

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 eight straight games (6g, 5a) and in 22 of the last 24 games (19g, 18a).

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 March 15, 2009


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