Gameday Magazine: Gladiators at Everblades Friday, December 16, 2016

Who: Florida Everblades (15-4-1-2) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (10-13-2-1)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:30 p.m.Tickets: Purchase Now Online CLICK HERE, or at the Florida Community Bank Box OfficeSeason Series:  Florida leads 2-0-0All-Time Series:  Florida leads 72-50-14Radio Broadcast:  WJBX (101.5-FM, 104.3-FM, 770-AM)Internet Radio:  Free online stream courtesy of WJBX  CLICK HEREInternet TV Broadcast:  ECHL.TV,  CLICK HERESpecial Promotions: Skate with Santa Night!  Fans will be have the opportunity to take part in a postgame skate with Santa! Skate rentals will be available for $2, or fans are welcome to bring their own.  Kids eat FREE in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

About Tonight’s Game: The Everblades enter the week with a slim one-point edge over the Orlando Solar Bears (32 pts) for the top spot in the division.  Last Saturday, Elmira handed the Everblades their first regulation loss at home.  Atlanta got off to a fast start in 2016-17, but has run into some trouble lately. The Gladiators are winless in their last five games (0-4-1-0).

Last Time Out: Florida suffered its first regulation loss at home last Saturday to the Elmira Jackals by a 4-2 score. Despite the loss, Brendan O’Donnell scored the goal that ignited the Annual Teddy Bear Toss, and the largest crowd of the season of 7,283 let their teddy bears and stuffed animals fly in the name of charity….Atlanta is coming off a 5-2 road loss to Greenville on Tuesday evening.

About the Everblades:  The Everblades will have their defensive unit bolstered tonight as Josh Wesley was reassigned to the team this morning from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL)…The Everblades are 11-0-2 when scoring first this season, but will battle an Atlanta team that leads the league with 31 first period goals this season…Anthony Peters is expected to start in goal for the ‘Blades this evening.

Everblades Team LeadersPoints: John McCarron (23)Goals:  Brendan O'Donnell (11)Assists: Michael Kirkpatrick (16)Plus/Minus:  Matt Mackenzie (+12)**Penalty Minutes: Dalton Smith (26)Power Play Goals:  John McCarron (3)Shorthanded Goals:  Four players tied (1)Shots: Matt Berry (70)Wins: Anthony Peters (10)Save %:  Matt Skoff (0.934)GAA: Matt Skoff (2.00)Power Play: 24th, 9-for-77, (11.7%)Penalty Kill:  7th, 62-of-72 (86.1%)** Denotes player currently called up to AHL

About the Gladiators:   Thomas Frazee returned to the Gladiators earlier this week after a three-game stint with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).  Atlanta is led by Justin Buzzeo’s 30 points.  Buzzeo was named the CCM ECHL Player of the Month after totaling 21 points (7g, 14a) in 14 games played in the month of November…The Everblades penalty kill unit will need to be mindful of Derek Nesbitt, who is tied for second in the league with five power play goals...Former Everblade Corey Syvret will make his return to Florida after being traded to Atlanta on November 28.

Gladiators Team LeadersPoints: Justin Buzzeo (30)Goals:  Eric Neiley, Derek Nesbitt (14)Assists:  Justin Buzzeo, (21)Plus/Minus:   Thomas Frazee, Ben Marshall (+7)Penalty Minutes:  Sebastien Sylvestre (27)Power Play Goals:   Derek Nesbitt (5)Shorthanded Goals:  Several Tied (1)Shots:  Derek Nesbitt (89)Wins:  Matt Ginn (8)Save %:  Matt Ginn (0.892)GAA:  Matt Ginn (3.79)Power Play:  13th, 17-for-97 (17.5%)Penalty Kill:  27th, 66-of-88 (75.0%)** Denotes player currently called up to AHLUpcoming Home Games & PromotionsSaturday, December 17 vs. Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. – Star Wars Night!  First 1000 fans will receive FREE lightsabers!  Star Wars characters will also be on hand for photos with fans.  Fans are welcome to sport their Star Wars gear.  Tailgate party featuring live music and bounce houses for the kids takes place from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

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

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.Special Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you ma also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

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