ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Weekly

Published on March 20, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades collected a big three-game weekend sweep over the Gwinnett Gladiators this past week. In all three games the Everblades had to overcome a deficit to win. On Friday night the Everblades erased a two-goal first period deficit to win 3-2, then on Saturday night the Blades again battled back from down two goals in the first period to win 5-2. Florida finished off the sweep of the Gladiators on Sunday afternoon by recovering after allowing the game's first goal to pull out a 5-3 victory. Overall the Everblades enter this week with a record of 35-27-4 (74 pts., 3rd South Division / 5th Eastern Conference).

THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)

Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday, March 23, 25 & 26 vs. Wheeling Nailers Wed & Fri: 7:30 p.m. /Sat: 7:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Everblades return home to close out the regular season with a six-game home stand that begins this week with their only three games this year vs. Wheeling. The Nailers enter this week not only battling with the Everblades for an Eastern Conference playoff berth, but also battling Kalamazoo for the North Division lead. Wheeling enter's this week's action six points behind Kalamzoo for first in the division and currently sit sixth in the Conference race with a record of 34-28-3 (71 pts). On the road this season the Nailers are 16-15-1. All-time vs. Wheeling the Everblades are 3-1-0 and are 2-1-0 all-time at home vs. the Nailers.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

All week the Everblades will be "Going Green!" For the three games vs. Wheeling the Blades will be wearing specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off live following Saturday's game. A special thanks to Purely You Spa and Waste Pro for partnering up with the Blades in the effort to promote going green.

Wednesday, March 23: It's another "Dollar Deal Wednesday!" at Germain Arena. Fans can enjoy dollar hot dogs and dollar domestic draft beers on the concourse from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. courtesy of Dietz & Watson and Budweiser! Also don't forget that every Wednesday game college ladies get in for free by showing their current student ID at the Germain Arena Box Office courtesy of 105.5 The Beat!

In The Community: This week Everblades players will be out and about in the community on Tuesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 24. On Tuesday afternoon the Everblades will be at IMPACT of Ft. Myers from 2 - 3 p.m. to participate in outdoor games with special needs children. On Thursday afternoon the Everblades will be in Cape Coral at Gulf Elementary School to read to students from 1 - 2 p.m.

2010-11 EVERBLADES REGULAR SEASON NUMBERS

Quick Stats

Overall 35-27-4

Home 17-11-2

Road 18-16-2

Overtime Record 5-1

Shootout Record 4-3

Power Play 62-326 (8th)

Penalty Kill 259-302 (1st)

Leading Scorers

Alex A0 35-23-58

Matt 2 21-27-48

Brad 0 20-28-48

Mike McKenzie 18-20-38

Ross 0 10-25-35

Matt A0 15-16-31

Leading Goaltenders

Bobby Goepfert 2.73 GAA, 23-12-3

Jaroslav Janus 3.06 GAA, 12-13-0

Plus/Minus Leaders

Bobby Raymond +26

Matthew C2 +13

David 0 +13

Weekly Award Nominee: This week's Player of the Week nominee is Alex Imbeault who collected seven points (4g, 3a) in the Everblades' three games at Gwinnett this past week. Imbeault picked up two goals, including the game-winner and an assist on Friday night, then notched another three points (1g, 2a) in Saturday's win before finishing the week up with his 15th power play goal of the year in Sunday's game. Imbeault finished the week a plus-2 rating as well. The week's Everblades goaltender of the week is Bobby Goepfert who won both of his starts this past week at Gwinnett. Goepfert opened the week with a 45 save performance in Florida's 3-2 win then followed it up the next night by stopping 42 shots in the Everblades' 5-2 victory.

Special Teams Breakdown: Entering this week, here's a look at the Everblades power play and penalty killing: On the power play the Everblades rank 8th in the ECHL at 19.0 % (62-of-326)...at home the Blades are ranked 8th in the league at 18.2 % (27-of-148)...on the road the Everblades rank 6th at 19.7 % (35-of-178). On the penalty kill the Everblades find themselves 1st in the ECHL at 85.8 % (259-of-302)...at home the Everblades enter the week ranked 5th at 84.3 % (118-of-140)...on the road the Blades are currently 1st at 87.0 % (141-of-162).

Magic Number: Following their three-game sweep of the Gladiators in Gwinnett this past weekend, the Everblades now find themselves within five points of clinching a spot in the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Any combination of Everblades wins or loses by Gwinnett and Toledo that add up to five points will get the Everblades locked in. The maximum amount of points Toledo can gain if they win outright is 78 and the most points the Gladiators can earn if they win all their remaining games is 77. Once Florida eclipses that mark, they're in!

League Leaders: Coming into this week Everblades forward Alex Imbeault is currently fourth in the league in goals scored with 35 and is tied for the league lead with his 15 power play goals... defenseman Bobby Raymond is currently second in the ECHL in plus/minus with a +26 rating...goaltender Bobby Goepfert is now ranked ninth in the league with his 2.73 goals against average and is ranked fourth in the league with his 23 wins.

Who's Hot: Here's a look at who's currently riding hot streaks. F Alex Imbeault has picked up points in three straight and in 10 of his last 11 games (8g, 10a...F Matt Beca has recorded points in ten of the last 12 games (9g, 7a)...F Ross Carlson has notched a point in five straight games (0g, 6a) and in 12 of his last 15 games (2g, 13a)...G Bobby Goepfert is 4-0-0 in his last five appearances with one shutout.

Single-Season Team Records: A few players on this year's squad are approaching Everblade all-time single-season records with their numbers. F Francis Lemieux is eighth overall in single-season history for points in one year with 73 and is ninth all-time in assists with his 44...F Alex Imbeault is now fourth all-time for goals in a season with his 35 and is second all time in power play goals in one year with 15...With his start last night, G Bobby Goepfert moved into a tie for fourth for games played with 41 and is now tied for sixth with 23 wins. Goepfert's 1,110 saves are now third all-time for a single season.

Ticket Information: Individual tickets to all 2010-11 Florida Everblades home games are on sale now! Tickets are available at the TIB Bank Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.

On the Air: Everblades games, home and away, can be heard on The Avenue 1410 / 1660 AM and via the internet by logging on to www.floridaeverblades.com. In addition, Everblades games can be viewed via the internet thanks to America One 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

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ECHL Stories from March 20, 2011


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