Florida Everblades Weekly Release #23

Overall Record: 43-23-0-2 (88 pts) 2nd in the South DivisionLast Week’s Record: 1-2-0-0 (4 pts.)Last 10: 6-4-0-0Home: 21-13-0-0, 42 ptsRoad:  22-10-0-2, 46 ptsLast Week’s ResultsWednesday, March 30: Florida – 3 at Orlando – 2 Brendan O’Donnell, Gabriel Desjardins and Alexander Kuqali each scored a goal to lead the Everblades to a 3-2 victory over the Solar Bears Wednesday night. Anthony Peters made tremendous saves throughout the third period to hold onto the 3-2 lead stopping 32 out of 34 shots on goal.

Friday, April 1: Florida – 4 vs. Atlanta – 6  The Everblades jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when Matt Marquardt and Corey Cowick scored opening period goals. However, the Gladiators managed to cut the lead to one before the first period came to a close. Brendan O’Donnell scored the opening goal of the second period extending the Everblades lead back to two goals before the Gladiators tied the game up at three. Both teams traded goals in the third before the Gladiators pulled away scoring two unanswered goals heading to the 6-4 win.

Saturday, April 2: Florida – 1 vs. Atlanta – 2 Matt Ginn stopped 25 out of 26 shots on goal to lead the Gladiators to the 2-1 victory over the Everblades in front of a sold out crowd in Germain Arena. Atlanta jumped out to the early 2-0 lead before the Everblades cut the lead to one in the third period with a Brendan O’Donnell goal. However, it was not enough as the Blades fell to the Gladiators 2-1.'Blades Bites

The Everblades enter the final week of the regular season having clinched at least a top-four seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and has secured home-ice advantage in the first-round of the playoffs.  However, Florida could jump into a top three spot should it capture its second division title in as many seasons. The Everblades trail the first place South Carolina Stingrays (92 pts) by four points in the South Division standings, but does have one game in-hand on the Rays.  Florida will play its final four regular season games this week against the Orlando Solar Bears, while South Carolina will finish up with a road game at Atlanta and a pair of road affairs at Norfolk.

• Brendan O'Donnell enters the week riding a five-game goal scoring streak, and has collected 12 points in the last six games.
• Saturday's sold out crowd of 7,642 set a club record for the largest in Everblades history.  It also marked the second consecutive Saturday sell out for the team.
• The Everblades are 31-1-0-1 when leading after two periods.
• Florida has recorded seven power play goals in the last six games, and has scored at least one power play marker in five of the last six.
• On Monday, forward Brant Harris returned from the Manitoba Moose (AHL), while defenseman Kevin Montgomery was returned to the team from the Springfield Falcons (AHL).
• The Everblades can wrap up the Wawa Sunshine Cup series against Orlando with a win in any of the four games this week. Florida currently leads the series 14 points to 6 points.

Everblades Team LeadersPoints: Matt Willows (62)Goals:  Matt Willows (23)Assists: Matt Willows (39)Plus/Minus:  Mark Nemec (+28)Penalty Minutes: Corey Cowick (109)Power Play Goals:  Matt Willows (5)Shorthanded Goals:  Brant Harris (2)Shots: Matt Willows (216)Wins: Anthony Peters (26)Save %: Anthony Peters (.921)GAA: Anthony Peters (2.19)Power Play: 16th, 41-for-251 (16.3%)Penalty Kill:  6th, 189-of-221 (85.5%)

About This Week's Opponent

Orlando Solar Bears (32-27-4-5, 73 pts)With four games remaining, Orlando will be fighting for a position in the playoffs.  The Solar Bears enter the week just four points back of the final playoff spot in Eastern Conference. Jack Rodewald and Eric Faille each have scored five goals against the Everblades this season.

Solar Bears Team LeadersPoints: Brady Vail (57)Goals: T.J. Foster (25)Assists: Brady Vail (37)Plus/Minus: Eric Faille (+14)Penalty Minutes: Mark Louis (143)Power Play Goals: Johnny McInnis (6)Shorthanded Goals: Several Tied at 2Shots: Johnny McInnis (192)Wins:  Ryan Massa (19)Save %: Ryan Massa (.915)GAA: Ryan Massa (2.90)Power Play: 6th, 43-for-231 (18.6%)Penalty Kill: 15th, 194-of-231 (84.0%)

The Everblades and Solar Bears will play one another this Tuesday and Thursday at the Amway Center in Orlando, with both games beginning at 7:00 p.m. The two teams will meet twice more at Germain Arena this Friday and Saturday (Promotional details listed below).

Fans can listen to all Everblades games on 770 AM or online by CLICKING HERE

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, April 8 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend begins!  Everyone will receive a FREE Everblades team photo courtesy of FGCU & Direct Impressions....The first 200 fans will receive a FREE ticket to Naples Zoo! There will be prizes and giveaways all night long!Saturday, April 9 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend continues! The first 5,000 fans will receive a FREE rally card!  Fans will receive a Wawa food voucher as they exit the arena...The Everblades team awards ceremony will take place prior to the game  More prizes and giveaways handed out to fans throughout the night!   

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.

2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available:  Full  and flexible partial season ticket plans are  currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help 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###