Playoff race heats up for Everblades
March 25, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
Florida visits Pee Dee on Friday and Saturday and Augusta on Sunday
The Florida Everblades continued their drive towards the Kelly Cup playoffs by splitting their weekend series against the 2002 Brabham Cup Champion Louisiana Ice Gators. Florida defeated the Ice Gators on Friday night 4-2 but fell on Saturday 4-2. Earlier in the week on Tuesday, the Everblades fell to the Peoria Rivermen 4-3 in a shootout. The Everblades battle the Pee Dee Pride this Friday and Saturday in Pee Dee at 7:30 PM. Florida concludes the 2001-02 season on Sunday in Augusta at 4:00 PM. All 72 regular season games can be heard on Sportsradio 770 AM, 98.9 FM and on the Internet at www.floridaeverblades.com with the "Voice of the Everblades" Mark Miller calling the play-by-play. Listen to "Blade Talk" each Monday on Sportsradio 770 AM from 6-7 PM. THIS WEEK (All Times Eastern)
Friday, March 29th @ Pee Dee Florence Civic Center 7:30 PM/EST
GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Pride will meet for the seventh time this season. Florida holds a 2-4-0 record against the Pride this season. The Everblades are 2-2-0 at TECO and 0-2-0 in Pee Dee. The Everblades are 12-14-1 All-Time versus the Pride. They are 8-6-1 at TECO Arena and 4-7-0 in Pee Dee. The Pride (39-25-5) currently stand in second place in the ECHL's Southeast Division. Forward Dany Bousquet leads the Pride in scoring with 33-53-86. He also is tied for third place on the ECHL's scoring list. Their power play ranks 5th and their penalty kill ranks 14th. Pee Dee is 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
Saturday, March 30th @ Pee Dee Florence Civic Center 7:30 PM/EST
GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Pride will meet in game two of the two game series between the two clubs.
Sunday, March 31st @ Augusta Richmond Civic Center 4:05 PM/EST
GAME NOTES: The Everblades and Lynx will meet for the eighth and final time this season. Florida holds a 5-2-0 record against the Lynx this season. The Everblades are 3-1-0 at TECO and 2-1-0 in Augusta. The Everblades are 20-4-2 All-Time versus the Lynx. They are 12-2-0 at TECO Arena and 8-2-2 in Augusta. The Lynx (33-26-8) currently stand in sixth place in the ECHL's Southeast Division. Forward Scott Morrow leads the Lynx in scoring with 26-44-70. Their power play ranks 23rd and their penalty kill ranks 24th. Augusta is 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Tuesday, March 19 vs. Peoria 3-4 SOL
The Florida Everblades (35-25-7) fell 4-3 in a shootout to the Peoria Rivermen (39-20-7) in front of 6,236 at TECO Arena on Tuesday night. Peoria forward Bret DeCecco tied the game and then scored the game winning goal in the shootout to give the Rivermen the series split.
Friday, March 22nd vs. Louisiana 4-2 W
The Florida Everblades (36-25-6) defeated the Louisiana Ice Gators (52-12-4) 4-2 in front of 6,934 at TECO Arena on Friday night. Everblades forward Joe Blaznek had the game winning goal and an assist to lift Florida.
Saturday, March 23rd vs. Louisiana 2-4 L
The Florida Everblades (36-26-6) were defeated by the Louisiana Ice Gators (53-12-4) 4-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 7,181 at TECO Arena on Saturday night. Florida remained tied for fourth place with South Carolina in the Southeast Division despite the loss. Ice Gators forward Ryan Shanahan had the game winning goal and an assist. The Louisiana Ice Gators tied the ECHL record for wins with their 53rd win of the season on Saturday night.
EVERBLADES NUMBERS
Quick Stats
Overall Record 36-26-7 (4th)
Home Record 22-11-3
Road Record 14-15-4
Overtime Record 3-3
Shootout Record 7-3
Power Play 48/313 15% 25th
Penalty Kill 55/293 81% 20th
Leading Scorers
Tom Buckley 30-41-71
Andrew Long 16-26-42
Joe Blaznek 18-20-38
Lee Ruff 10-27-37
Briane Thompson 6-28-34
Leading Goaltenders
Randy Petruk 2.69 GAA, 26-17-5
Sean Matile 2.27 GAA, 3-1-0
Plus/Minus Leaders
Vince Williams +10
Shaun Fisher +10
ECHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION: The Everblades ECHL player of the week nomination is forward Joe Blaznek. The Allen Park, MI native registered three points this past week. He had a game winning goal and an assist in the Everblades 4-2 win over Louisiana on Friday night. He was also the #1 star in that game.
EVERBLADES IN THE COMMUNITY: On Sunday, March 17th the Everblades hosted their annual St. Patrick's Day jersey auction following their game versus the Peoria Rivermen. The Everblades raised $36,100 during the auction. Proceeds raised from the jersey auction were donated to Big Brother's and Big Sister's, MDA and the Boys and Girl's Club of Lee County this past Saturday night. Please click on the community button at www.floridaeverblades.com for more information.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION: TECO Arena Box Office is open from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday and 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturday. Individual Tickets can be purchased at the TECO Arena Box Office or at any TicketMaster location. To order tickets by phone, call (941) 334-3309. For Season Tickets, Flex Packs or Group Tickets call the Everblades Ticket Office at (941) 948-7825.
EVERBLADES ON THE AIR: The "Voice of the Everblades" Mark Miller hosts "Blade Talk" from the Breakaway Sports Pub every Monday night on Sportsradio 770 AM from 6 - 7 PM. All Florida Everblades games, home and away, are broadcast on Sportsradio 770 AM, 98.9 "The Gulf" and on the web at www.floridaeverblades.com. Join the "Voice of the Everblades" Mark Miller for all the play-by-play action. The Everblades pre-game show begins 15 minutes before face-off.
EVERBLADES ITINERARY:
Monday: 10 AM Practice
Tuesday 10 AM Practice
Wednesday 10 AM Practice
Thursday Travel Day - Practice in Pee Dee TBA
Friday Game @ Pee Dee 7:30 PM
Saturday Game @ Pee Dee 7:30 PM
Sunday Game @ Augusta 4:05 PM
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