Gameday Magazine: Gladiators vs. Everblades, February 8, 2014

Who: Gwinnett Gladiators (18-25-1-2, 39 pts, 5th South Division) vs. Florida Everblades (24-16-2-2, 52 pts, 2nd South Division)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:00pmSeason Series: Gladiators lead 3-1-0-0All-Time Series: Everblades lead 58-37-11Radio: 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 will wrap up a six-game home stand—their second-longest of 2013-14—at 7:00pm Saturday when they look for the weekend split against the visiting Gwinnett Gladiators at Germain Arena.

Saturday’s game will be played on a colorful surface, as hundreds of fans stayed after Friday’s overtime game for Paint the Ice Night.

Florida center A.J. Jenks is expected to return to the Blades lineup after being returned to the club on Friday. The team announced Saturday that Matthew Pistilli, who was also returned on Friday, has been loaned to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

While the offense has been rolling for the Blades, averaging 4.20 goals per game in the last five contests, the defense hopes to snap a 10-game streak of allowing four or more goals.

Glads winger Brendan Walker continued to be a thorn in the Blades’ side, registering a goal and an assist Friday, giving the St. Anne, Manitoba, native seven points (3g, 4a) in four meetings against Florida.

Prior to Friday’s game, that saw Jordan Henry rack up two power play goals for the Blades, Gwinnett’s penalty kill—ranked fifth in the ECHL at 86.2%—had held Florida’s power play scoreless in 11 opportunities.

Also during warm-ups 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.

Saturday’s home rematch 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 6:45pm.

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 8.

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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