Who: Gwinnett Gladiators (17-25-1-2, 37 pts, 5th South Division) vs. Florida Everblades (24-16-1-2, 51 pts, T-2nd South Division)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:30pmSeason Series: Gladiators lead 1-2-0-0All-Time Series: Everblades lead 58-37-10Radio: 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 – The Florida Everblades’ six-game stand at Germain Arena hits the home stretch Friday as the Blades open up a two-game set against the Gwinnett Gladiators with a 7:30pm duel.

It will be Paint the Ice Night, as kids of all ages are invited to stick around after the game and head down to ice level, where they will be able to paint their own designs onto the ice, resulting in a special canvas that the Everblades will play the Gladiators on the following night.

It is the first time fans will be able to personally design a portion of the playing surface for a game at Germain Arena.

Florida, once again in a tie with the Orlando Solar Bears for second place in the South Division, will look to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to the Bears at home on Tuesday.

The Blades got two major pieces back in advance of Friday’s game, as winger Matthew Pistilli and center A.J. Jenks were reassigned from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Pistilli was the ECHL’s top scorer with 36 points (16g, 20a) at the time of his loan to the Checkers. Florida posted a record of 5-8-0-1 while the two forwards were with the Checkers.

Pistilli will be a game-time decision Friday; Jenks is expected to be available Saturday.

Gwinnett is also smarting from a mid-week loss to Orlando, having dropped a 4-1 decision at the Amway Center on Thursday. The Glads will be without forward Maxime Legault, who is suspended for Friday’s game after a spearing major at the end of Thursday’s contest in Orlando.

Through just three meetings, Gwinnett forward Dirk Southern has been a major thorn in the Blades’ side, having scored two goals while adding three assists in the season series.

When the two sides last met, Gwinnett spoiled the Blades 2014-opening road trip with an 8-1 rout at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

Also during the weekend the Everblades will be wearing special Olympic-themed jerseys to celebrate the opening of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The uniforms were designed by kids at the Golisano Children’s Hospital; they will be auctioned live after Saturday’s game with the proceeds going to the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.

Friday’s South Division scrap 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 February 7.

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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