Gameday Magazine: Stingrays at Everblades, January 10, 2014

Who: South Carolina Stingrays (24-7-1-2, 51 pts, 1st South Division) vs. Florida Everblades (20-10-1-1, 42 pts, 2nd South Division)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:30pmSeason Series: Blades lead 1-0-0-0All-Time Series: Blades lead 75-48-17Radio: 98.1 FM The Island and FloridaEverblades.com, 7:15pm pre-gameInternet Radio: http://www.swfllocalnews.comSmart Phone: TuneIn Radio (iOS & Android)Internet Television: http://www.americaonesports.com

Estero, FL – After two weeks on the road wrapped around New Year’s Day, the Florida Everblades return to Germain Arena Friday to open a four-game home stand when they host the South Division-leading South Carolina Stingrays at 7:30pm.

The Blades come home with some name-brand firepower along the blue line, having added three-time Stanley Cup champion Brian Rafalski to their defensive corps. A former US Olympian with two silver medals, Rafalski helps bolster a back-end that lost Jordan Henry to a call-up to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch.

Also returning to Florida’s defensive corps are regulars Tyson Gimblett and Braden Birch.

South Carolina sits nine points ahead of the Blades in the South’s top spot—with two extra games played—thanks to the rock-solid goaltending of Jeff Jakaitis, who leads the ECHL in both GAA (1.64) and SV% (.941).

Like the Blades, the Rays have had a large chunk of their roster called up to the AHL, with goalie David LeNeveu recalled to the Providence Bruins Thursday and top scorer Peter Boyd loaned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday.

Tickets are on sale right now for Friday’s home contest at the Capital Bank Box Office, open Monday-Friday, 10:00am until 6:00pm.

Friday’s top-two South Division clash will be broadcast live online at FloridaEverblades.com and on the Everblades’ app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with a video webcast available through America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 7:15pm.

Beat the Box Office!

Don’t want to pay the box office rate for Everblades tickets? You don’t have to! Save up to $7.00 per ticket with great 10 and 20-game flex plans and group rates for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign. Lock in your flex plan or group seats now for the Blades’ next home game on January 10.

For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office located at Germain Arena.

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

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