Florida Everblades 2015-16 Season In Review

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades 2015-16 season recently concluded in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Monday, April 25 in a tight 2-1 loss to the Wheeling Nailers.  Florida never lost three consecutive games in regulation during the regular season, but ironically that is how the season came to a close for the ‘Blades during the postseason.

Regardless how it ended, it was a very good season for the team which racked up 46 wins which is the fifth most in club history, while reaching the postseason for the 17th time in the team's 18-year history. Florida also held the top spot in the South Division from opening night on October 17 through March 10 (a span of 58 games).

The following information recaps the final numbers, while highlighting some of the accomplishments made by the 2015-16 Florida Everblades.

Final RecordsOverall:  46-23-1-2, 95 pts. (2ndin South Division)Home:  23-13-0-0Away: 23-10-1-2

To view complete records, Game-by-game results, season highs & lows, transactionsCLICK HERE

Everblades Leaders  – Regular SeasonPoints:  Matt Willows (66)Goals:  Matt Willows (23)Assists:   Matt Willows (43)Power Play Goals: Brendan O’Donnell (6)Shorthanded Goals:  Brant Harris (3)Shots:  Matt Willows (236)Penalty Minutes:  Corey Cowick (114)Plus/Minus:  Mark Nemec (+25)Games Played:  Matt Marquardt (72)Wins:  Anthony Peters (27)GAA:  Daniel Altshuller ( 1.76)Save %:  Daniel Altshuller (0.934)Shutouts:  Daniel Altshuller, Anthony Peters (3)(Note: Goaltender stats based on minimum of 15 games played)

Everblades Leaders  – PlayoffsPoints:  Ryan Martindale, Matt Willows (6)Goals:  Ryan Martindale, Brendan O’Donnell, Matt Marquardt (3)Assists:   Matt Willows, Chase Golightly, Mark Nemec (4)Power Play Goals:  Matt Marquardt (2)Shorthanded Goals:  Kevin Lynch, Jon DiSalvatore (1)Shots: Danny New (27)Penalty Minutes:  Danny New (13)Plus/Minus:  Matt Willows (+3)Games Played: Several Tied (6)Wins:  Anthony Peters (2)GAA:  Rasmus Tirronen (1.81)Save %:  Rasmus Tirronen (0.932)Shutouts:  N/A2015-16  Awards & HonorsECHL Rookie of the Year:  Matt WillowsECHL All-Rookie Team:  Matt WillowsECHL Community Service Award:  Rob FlorentinoECHL Goaltender of the Month (November):  Daniel AltshullerFlorida Everblades Team MVP:  Anthony PetersFlorida Everblades Brandon Coalter Unsung Hero Award:  Mark NemecFlorida Everblades Rookie of the Year:  Matt WillowsFlorida Everblades Piper Buckley Community Service Award:  Rob Florentino

O’Donnell Ties Team Record for Most Consecutive Games with a GoalIn the regular season finale on April 9, 2016 against Orlando, Brendan O’Donnell scored a goal in his ninth consecutive game which tied a club record set by Keith Anderson during the 2003-04 season.  The goal streak was the longest in the ECHL this season, and the longest in the league since 2012, when Kalamazoo’s Nick Sirota scored a goal in nine straight contests.

Strong FinishBrendan O’Donnell and Kevin Lynch each finished the regular season posting a team high ten-game point streak.  O’Donnell recorded 18 points (10g, 8a) during this stretch, while Lynch totaled 19 points (7g, 12a) during the streak which began on March 20.

Peters & Altshuller Move Up the All-Time Team Rankings Posting solid play in his 46 outings this season, Anthony Peters will join his brother Justin Peters (2006-09) on the Everblades’ All-Time team rankings in goals-against-average and save percentage.  Anthony Peters moves to third overall in club history with a 2.14 goals-against-average and first overall with a .934 save percentage. Peters also ranks sixth in wins with 29.

Additionally, Daniel Altshuller now sits sixth overall in team history with a 2.46 goals-against-average and fourth with a .920 save percentage. Altshuller also earned a call-up to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, but did not play.

Peters and Altshuller combined for six shutouts during the 2015-16 season posting three shutouts each.

Happy New Year!Florida started the 2016 calendar year with a season high nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-0-1) which spanned from January 3 through January 29.

Shutting them DownFor the second straight season, the Everblades had little difficulty protecting leads late in games during the regular season.  Florida posted a 33-1-1-1 record when leading after two periods this season. In 2014-15, the ‘Blades posted a 36-1-1-1 mark in games when leading after two periods. .

Hats Off!Two Everblades players recorded hat tricks during the 2015-16 season:Greg Gibson – March 25,2015 (Gibson’s Pro Debut)Kevin Lynch – April 8, 2016** Everblades players also combined for a total of 21 two-goal performances throughout the season.

Overtime MagicFlorida finished with the ECHL’s highest win percentage in overtime during the regular season at 0.769.  The Everblades were 10-1-0-2 in 13 overtime games this season.   Forward Kevin Lynch scored three game-winning goals in the extra session this season, while Mark Nemec scored twice in overtime to preserve wins for the ‘Blades.

Notable Career Game & Point Milestones set in 2015-16Jon DiSalvatore – Appeared in 900th professional game on 2/5/16 at Atlanta….He also appeared in his 800th AHL game on 12/15/15 while playing for the Springfield Falcons.

Matt Marquardt – Appeared in 500th professional game on 12/4/15 at Idaho…appeared in 200th ECHL game n 12/16/15 at Orlando….Scored 100th career goal on 12/12/15 vs. Reading (Teddy Bear Toss Goal).Ethan Werek – Registered 100th career point on 12/16/15 vs. OrlandoCorey Syvret – Appeared in 200th ECHL game on 10/30/15 vs. South Carolina

2016-17 Season Opener! The Everblades will now begin preparing for the 2016-17 season, which begins at home on October 14 & 15 against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits!

To view the team’s complete schedule for the 2016-17 regular season CLICK HERE

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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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