Gameday Magazine: Solar Bears at Everblades Saturday, April 8, 2017

Who: Florida Everblades (45-21-2-3) vs. Orlando Solar Bears  (36-25-7-3)

Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:00 p.m.Tickets: Purchase Now Online CLICK HERE, or at the Florida Community Bank Box OfficeSeason Series:  Florida leads 9-4-0-0All-Time Series:  Florida leads 44-19-3Radio 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: Black Out Night and Fan Appreciation Night!  Fans will receive a FREE Everblades team photo courtesy of FGCU and a FREE Rally Card courtesy of the Naples Daily News. Fans will also receive giveaways from Wawa! We will also be giving away a Westin bed!

The team will be wearing special black jerseys (pictured below) that will be auctioned off following the game to benefit the Passion Foundation. The team awards ceremony will take place prior to the game!

About Tonight’s Game: Florida has already clinched the Wawa Sunshine Cup for the second consecutive season, winning the regular season series against Orlando.  Florida leads the head-to-head Wawa Cup series 18 points to 9 points.

Last night the Solar Bears clinched a playoff spot with a 5-3 win over the Everblades.  The result of tonight’s contest will determine the first round match-up in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs.  A regulation loss by Orlando, or a South Carolina win against Cincinnati would set up a meeting in the first round between the Everblades and Solar Bears.  Orlando is currently tied in points (82) with South Carolina, but the Stingrays hold the tiebreaker.  Should Orlando finish ahead of the Stingrays in points at night’s end, then the Everblades will play South Carolina in the first round. However, if the two teams remain tied in points at the close of play this evening, the tiebreaker goes to South Carolina and Florida will play Orlando in the first round.

About the Everblades:  Brendan O’Donnell netted his 40th goal of the season in last night’s game at Orlando.  O’Donnell becomes just the third Everblades player to score 40 goals in a season.  Former Everblades Kevin Baker (57 goals, 2008-09) and Brian McCullough (40 goals, 2003-04) are the other two to players to reach this mark…Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic is expected to start in goal this evening...Yesterday, the Everblades received defenseman Jake Baker from Manitoba of the AHL.  As a result, Florida released forward Brendan Harms.Everblades Team LeadersPoints: Brendan O'Donnell, Brant Harris (78)Goals:  Brendan O'Donnell (40)Assists: Brant Harris (47)Plus/Minus:  Michael Kirkpatrick (+29)Penalty Minutes: Curt Gogol (167)Power Play Goals:  Brant Harris (7)Shorthanded Goals: Brant Harris (2)Shots: Matt Berry (249)Wins: Anthony Peters (31)Save %:  Alex Nedeljkovic (.896)GAA: Anthony Peters (3.11)Power Play: 19th 42-for-266, (15.8%)Penalty Kill:  12th, 48-of-279 (82.8%)About the Solar Bears:  Forward Joe Perry leads Orlando against the Everblades with six goals and 13 points…The Solar Bears lead the league with a 37.27 shots-per-game average, but were limited to just 18 shots by the ‘Blades last night….Goaltender Ryan Massa once again came up big against the Everblades last night, making 47 saves. Earlier this season, Massa turned aside 57 Florida shots in a game at Orlando back on December 22...Eric Faille leads the Solar Bears in scoring with 70 points.

Solar Bears Team LeadersPoints:  Eric Faille (70)Goals:  Joe Perry (35)Assists:  Just Buzzeo (44)Plus/Minus:  Ben Danford, Taylor Doherty (+21)Penalty Minutes:  Brendan Miller (94)Power Play Goals:  Joe Perry (9)Shorthanded Goals:  Eric Faille (3)Shots:  Joe Perry (211)Wins:  Ryan Massa (22)Save %:  Ryan Massa (0.912)GAA:  Ryan Massa (3.09)Power Play:  12th, 55-for-318 (17.3%)Penalty Kill:  26th, 66-of-281 (76.5%)

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions Playoff Round 1, Game 1:  Wednesday, April 12 vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. – $2 Wednesday's are back for the playoffs! Enjoy $2 draft beers, $2 wines, $2 hot dogs all night long!

Playoff Round 1, Game 2:  Friday, April 14 vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. – Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

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.comPlayoff Tickets Now on Sale:  Playoff ticket packages and single game tickets for Playoff Game A & B are currently on sale.  Playoff package may be purchased through the team's administrative offices located at Germain Arena or by calling 239-948-7825. Single game tickets for Games A & B may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office or online by CLICKING HERE

Discounted Group Tickets:Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you may 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###