York Super as 'Blades Blank Bears 2-0

ESTERO, FL – Allen York stopped all 31 shots faced to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Orlando Solar Bears Friday night at Germain Arena.   The Everblades (24-5-0-1, 49pts) open their five game homestand with a win and continue to hold the top spot in the East Division.

Goaltenders Allen York and Kent Patterson put on a show for the first 40 minutes of play.   The two netminders traded off impressive saves, as neither team could light the lamp through two periods.

However, it took just three minutes into the third period for the Everblades to grab a 2-0 lead.   The first goal came at 1:47 when Mitch Wahl delivered a wrist shot from the slot that beat Patterson high on the glove side to break up the scoreless tie.

Seconds later, Florida received its seventh power play opportunity of the night, and converted at exactly the three minute mark of the period.  Defensemen Cameron Burt and Mike Little exchanged a series of passes back and forth which lulled the Orlando penalty kill to sleep.  Little then slipped a quick pass to Jeff Costello in the slot who immediately snapped a shot that ripped into the net for the tally.

York and company took care of the rest, as Orlando was unable to find the back of the net the rest of the way out as the Everblades preserved its fourth shutout of the season.

On Heroes and Villains Weekend, York was super,  earning his third shutout of the season stopping all 31 shots faced, while Patterson takes the loss despite a strong effort, allowing two goals on 22 shots.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at Germain Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m. TheFur Circus will be performing for the fans throughout the game, and the first 900 fans will receive a portable cooler bag courtesy of Wendy’s.  There will also be a jersey auction following the game.

Everblades' Greg Poss Named Head Coach of ECHL All-Stars Earlier Friday afternoon the ECHL announced that Greg Poss will serve as head coach for the ECHL All-Stars for the 2015 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic in Orlando on January 21.

Poss will serve as head coach for the game by virtue of the Everblades having the ECHL’s top winning percentage through games of Dec. 27, 2014. Martinson is the assistant coach for the game by virtue of the Americans having the top winning percentage in the opposite conference through games of Dec. 27, 2014.

Ten coaches from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to coach in the National Hockey League while 62 players from the contest have gone on to play in the NHL, including 46 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, January 9, 7:30 p.m. vs. Orlando  .Saturday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. vs. Orlando - The Fur Circus will be performing and it's Heroes and Villains Night! 

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

12 & 24 Game Ticket Packages are currently on sale!  All packages save you money from the box office price, and come with many great benefits.  For more information call  239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades Main Office located at Germain Arena, Monday—Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.