Gameday Magazine: Solar Bears at Everblades Friday, April 8, 2016

Who: Florida Everblades (44-23-0-2, 91 pts.) vs. Orlando Solar Bears (33-28-4-5, 75 pts)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:30 p.m.Tickets: Purchase Now Online CLICK HERE, or at the Florida Community Bank Box Office.Season Series: Florida leads 8-3-1-0All-Time Series:  Florida leads 33-16-8Radio Broadcast: 770 AM (WJBX-AM) Internet Radio:  Free online stream available at ECHL.TV (once on page, click the headphone icon to access stream).  Internet Television: ECHLTV, courtesy of Neulion Special Promotions: 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!  There will be a silent auction of hockey portraits (pictured below) painted by Everblades players which will benefit the For the Kids Foundation.

About Tonight's Game & Playoff Scenarios:  Fan Appreciation Weekend begins tonight as Florida continues to fight for the South Division crown.  The Everblades (91 pts) trail first place South Carolina by three points (94 pts)  with two games to play in the regular season for each team.  South Carolina can clinch the South Division title tonight if they win at Norfolk this evening OR if the Everblades lose in regulation tonight.   The Stingrays can also clinch the division if they lose in overtime / shootout tonight AND the Everblades lose.  Essentially, the Everblades need to win its two remaining games while South Carolina can earn no more than one point in its final two games at Norfolk on Friday and Saturday.   The Solar Bears are eliminated from playoff contention, but will be looking to spoil the Everblades hopes of a division title this weekend.

About Last Night’s Game: Patrick Watling’s goal with just one-tenth of a second remaining in overtime propelled the Solar Bears to a 4-3 victory over the Everblades at the Amway Center Thursday evening.   Orlando assumed a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, but Florida recorded three goals in a 1:52 span to take a 3-2 lead into the third.  Halfway through the final period, Erik Bradford tipped and redirected a shot past Anthony Peters to even up the game at three and eventually force overtime.   Brendan O’Donnell scored twice for Florida in the loss.

About the Everblades:  Brendan O’Donnell extended his torrid goal scoring streak to seven games in last night’s game at Orlando.  O’Donnell’s streak is now tied for the highest in the league this season. Kalamazoo’s Justin Taylor is currently tied with O’Donnell and has also scored a goal in his last seven contests. O’Donnell is also riding an eight-game point scoring streak in which he has posted 15 points during this stretch….Rasmus Tirronen is expected to start in goal tonight for the Everblades…Mark Nemec is also expected to return to the lineup as well.

Florida Everblades Team LeadersPoints: Matt Willows (65)Goals:  Matt Willows (23)Assists: Matt Willows (42)Plus/Minus:  Mark Nemec (+28)Penalty Minutes: Corey Cowick (114)Power Play Goals:  Matt Willows (5)Shorthanded Goals:  Brant Harris (2)Shots: Matt Willows (230)Wins: Anthony Peters (27)Save %: Anthony Peters (.920)GAA: Anthony Peters (2.20)Power Play:  16th, 42-for-258, (16.3%)Penalty Kill:  4th, 198-of-230 (86.1%)

About the Solar Bears:  Leading the way for the Solar Bears are Eric Faille and Brady Vail who each have 58 points on the season. Meanwhile Jack Rodewald has registered a team best six goals against the Everblades this season….Orlando’s is ranked first on the penalty kill on the road this season.

Solar Bears Team LeadersPoints: Brady Vail, Eric Faille (58)Goals: T.J. Foster (25)Assists: Brady Vail (37)Plus/Minus: Eric Faille (+14)Penalty Minutes: Mark Louis (150)Power Play Goals: Johnny McInnis (6)Shorthanded Goals:Several Tied at 2Shots: Johnny McInnis (195)Wins:  Ryan Massa (19)Save %: Ryan Massa, Rob Madore (.915)GAA: Ryan Massa (2.88)Power Play: 7th, 43-for-240 (17.9%)Penalty Kill: 15th, 200-of-239 (84.0%)

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

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###