Preview: 'Blades Host Jacksonville, Gun for Fourth Straight Win
Published on January 29, 2019 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (30-8-5-0, 65 pts.) wrap up a stretch of three straight games against the Jacksonville Icemen (23-18-1-1, 48 pts.) and start a three-game week that includes three different opponents with a Tuesday night matchup at Hertz Arena.
VITALS:
Game 44: Everblades vs. Jacksonville
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Hertz Arena
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Watch: ECHL.tv
Listen: WJBX
Social: Twitter | #JAXvsFLA
Last Time Out
Florida scored five unanswered goals to cap this past weekend with a 5-1 win over Jacksonville in the second consecutive meeting between the two teams. John McCarron (2g-1a) and Joe Cox (2g) both notched multiple goals to pace the 'Blades offense, while Jamie Phillips stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced to earn his 16th win of the season. Kyle Platzer netted his 19th goal of the season to start the scoring for Florida just 1:18 into the second period.
Players to Watch
John McCarron (FLA) - McCarron leads all players in scoring in head-to-head meetings between Florida and Jacksonville this season. The 'Blades captain notched two goals and three assists total in the two games this past weekend and has 14 points (4g-10a) in the nine tilts against Jacksonville this year.
Kris Newbury (JAX) - Newbury is tied for the team lead in scoring for Jacksonville with 34 points (13g-21a). After recording a point in three straight games from Jan. 15-18, he has now gone without a point in each of his last four games. A native of Brampton, Ontario, Newbury has played in 75 career NHL games and 826 AHL contests.
Series history
Tuesday's matchup is the 10th of 13 total meetings this season between Florida and Jacksonville and the fifth of the six matchups at Hertz Arena. The 'Blades have a 6-2-1-0 record against the Icemen this year, including a 4-0-0-0 home mark. The 'Blades played the Icemen five consecutive times from Nov. 2-14. After not playing each other since Dec. 15, the two teams are now in the midst of a stretch of three straight games against each other. Florida holds a 19-2-2 all-time mark against the Icemen, including an 11-0-1-0 home mark.
Holy Helvig!
Since dropping his first four pro starts, goaltender Jeremy Helvig has a 14-1-1 record in his last 16 appearances. Over his last six games, the Hurricanes prospect has a .974 save percentage and a 0.67 GAA. He also has the longest personal winning streak for a 'Blades goaltender in the last 13 seasons with a current 11-game winning streak, the fifth-longest streak in ECHL history.
The Puck Stops Here
The 'Blades defense, which has allowed a league-low 2.33 goals per game this year, has been even more stingy in recent weeks. Florida has allowed just nine goals in its last seven games (1.29 g/gm) and has permitted only 12 tallies over its last seven home contests. The Everblades have held their opponent to less than two goals in four of the last five tilts.
What a Difference
Florida leads the ECHL in goal differential and has scored 72 more goals than it has allowed this season, a differential that is 19 goals better than the next closest team, Cincinnati. A big part of that figure has been the 'Blades dominance in the second period. Florida has outscored opponents by 34 goals in the middle frame. Adirondack is the next best team in period two with a +17 goal differential.
Not Your Average Joe
Joe Cox, Florida's 2019 ECHL All-Star Classic player representative, has been on an offensive tear lately and has points in eight of his last nine games. The second-year pro has five multi-point games in that stretch and has tabbed 14 total points (8g-6a) in that nine-game span. In addition to leading Florida in scoring with 46 points (20g-26a), Cox is now third in the ECHL in points.
Next Up
Following Tuesday's game, Florida will depart for a pair of road games to finish the week, starting with a Thursday night tilt against the Atlanta Gladiators.
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