'Blades & Solar Bears to Compete For Wawa Sunshine Cup

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades are pleased to announce the team’s participation in the Inaugural Wawa Sunshine Cup Series with their in-state rivals the Orlando Solar Bears.

The Wawa Sunshine Cup will be awarded to the team with the most standings points earned in the head-to-head meetings between the two teams during the 2015-16 regular season.  In the event of a tie in points, the first tie-breaker will be the highest number of goals scored, followed by fewest number of goals allowed.

'We are thrilled to welcome a great new partner in Wawa, as well as to work with the Orlando Solar Bears to create the Wawa Sunshine Cup concept," said Everblades Vice President of Sales & Marketing Chris Palin.  "The Sunshine Cup will provide excitement for both fan bases, and will help enhance the rivalry between the two in-state rivals."

The Everblades and Solar Bears meet a total of 14 times during the 2015-16 regular season, with six of the contests played at Germain Arena and eight at the Amway Center in Orlando.

The Everblades picked up a pair of wins in the first two meetings of the season back on November 7 & 8 in Orlando, and lead the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series with a 2-0-0 mark and a 4-0 lead in points.  The two teams will meet again this Wednesday (December 16) at Germain Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. The following is the full schedule of games between the two teams this season:

Saturday, Nov. 7:  Florida – 3 at Orlando – 2  Sunday, Nov. 8:  Florida – 3 at Orlando – 1Wednesday, Dec. 16: Orlando at Florida at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 27: Florida at Orlando, 6:00 p.m.Friday, Jan. 1: Orlando at Florida,  7:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 2: Florida at Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Sunday, Jan. 3: Florida at Orlando,  6:00 p.m.Friday, Jan. 22: Orlando at Florida, 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 10: Orlando at Florida, 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Mar. 30: Florida at Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Tuesday, Apr. 5: Florida at Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Thursday, Apr. 7: Florida at  Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Friday, Apr. 8: Orlando at Florida, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Apr. 9: Orlando at Florida, 7:00 p.m.

About WawaWawa is your all day, every day stop for fresh, built-to order foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATM's. All of Wawa's stores offer a large fresh food service selection, including Wawa brands such as built-to-order hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, built-to-order Specialty Beverages, and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. A chain of more than 650 convenience retail stores (over 400 offering gasoline), Wawa stores are located in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.Wawa has three locations in Southwest Florida:  1622 NE Pine Island RdCape Coral(239) 458-1064

2370 Colonial BlvdFort Myers, FL(239) 275-4142

12701 S Cleveland AveFort Myers, FL(239) 275-1020Upcoming Home GamesWednesday, December 16 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. (Wawa Sunshine Cup Series) Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, $2 draft beers, $2 wines all night long!   Wednesday is also College Night! College students receive a $5 ticket with FREE parking when they present their college ID at Germain Arena. Santa will also be on hand on Wednesday!

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank 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.

Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages: We off full and partial season ticket plans that will save your money and fit your budget and schedule. . For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team's main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###