Gameday Magazine: Solar Bears at Everblades Friday, March 16, 2018

Who: Florida Everblades (42-12-2-4, 90 pts) vs. Orlando Solar Bears (30-26-6-1, 67 pts)Where: Germain ArenaWhen: 7:30 p.m.Tickets: Purchase Now Online CLICK HERE, or at the Florida Community Bank Box OfficeRegular Season Series:  Everblades lead 9-3-0All-Time Series: Everblades lead 54-20-3Radio Broadcast:  WJBX (101.5 FM, 104.3 FM, 770-AM)Internet Radio:   CLICK HERE Courtesy of WJBX RadioInternet TV Broadcast:  CLICK HERETonight's Promotions: Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree, and fans can enjoy bottomless all-you-can-eat-popcorn. Both of these specials are valid for every Friday night game during the regular season.

About Tonight’s Game: Tonight’s game is the 13th game in the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series between the two intrastate rivals.  The Wawa Sunshine Cup is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season head-to-head match-up between the two clubs.  The Everblades have already clinched the Wawa Sunshine Cup for the third consecutive season.…The ‘Blades have won six straight games and are unbeaten in their last seven contests (6-0-1-0).  Florida holds a five-point lead over second place South Carolina (85 pts) for the top spot in the South Division.  The Solar Bears are unbeaten in regulation in their last three games (2-0-1-0) and are 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games.   Orlando sits in third place in the division, with a six-point edge over fourth place Atlanta.

To WATCH a game preview CLICK HERE

About Thursday’s Game:  Logan Roe scored at 1:51 into overtime to lift the Everblades to a 2-1 victory over the Solar Bears at the Amway Center. The goal was the second for Roe in the last three games.  Goaltender Martin Ouellette was sensational in goal, turning aside 32 shots of 33 shots faced in the game.  Orlando netminder Cal Heeter also played well making 39 saves.  Shots:  FLA – 41  ORL - 33

About the Everblades:  Forward Mitchell Heard enters tonight riding a seven-game point streak which began back on February 24. Heard has 13 points during this seven-game stretch and is currently tied for the team lead in scoring (53 points) with John McCarron and Stephen MacAulay…Newcomer Derek Sheppard is expected to make his Germain Arena debut tonight.  The rookie blueliner was added to the roster earlier this week after concluding his collegiate career at York University where he totaled 100 career points in 111 games.

Everblades Team LeadersPoints: Stephen MacAulay, John McCarron, Mitchell Heard (53)Goals:  John McCarron (24)Assists: Mitchell Heard (32)Plus/Minus:  Logan Roe (+30)Penalty Minutes: Mitchell Heard (127)Power Play Goals:  Mitchell Heard (7)Shorthanded Goals: John McCarron (4)Shots: John McCarron (153)Wins: Martin Ouellette (26)Save %:  Martin Ouellette (.922)GAA: Martin Ouellette (2.07)Power Play: 14th, 39-for-226 (17.3%)Penalty Kill:  3rd, 236-for-269 (87.0%)

About the Solar Bears: Forward J.J. Piccinich has had the hot hand as of late, recording seven points (3g, 4a) in the last nine games...Defenseman Eric Baier came out of retirement and returned to the Orlando lineup on Thursday.  Baier is one assist shy to tie Eric Faille and Denver Manderson for the Orlando club record for assists (79).  Baier’s return to hockey came on the same day that veteran forward Darryl Bootland announced his retirement from hockey

Solar Bears Team LeadersPoints:  Hunter Fejes (51)Goals:  Hunter Fejes (25)Assists:  Joshua Winquist (31)Plus/Minus:  Chris Crane (+9)Penalty Minutes:  Mike Monfredo (123)Power Play Goals:  Hunter Fejes (7)Shorthanded Goals:  J.J. Piccinich (3)Shots:  Hunter Fejes (232)Wins:  Cal Heeter (17)Save %:  Cal Heeter (.911)GAA:  Cal Heeter (2.82)Power Play:  21st, 46-for-289 (15.9%)Penalty Kill:  15th, 255-for-308 (82.8%)Upcoming Home Games & EventsSaturday,  March 17, vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m. Annual Guns 'n Hoses game!  The team will wear special police and fire fighter themed jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game to benefit MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association).  In addition, local police and fire fighters will do battle on the ice beginning at 4:15 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive green key chain flash lights courtesy of Gerber Collision and Glass!

Wednesday,  March 21, vs. Norfolk, 7:30 p.m. $2 Wednesday!  Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, beer and wine in the concourse all night long!  College students receive a $5 ticket with valid college ID.

Try Goalie Day also takes place on March 17 from 12;30-2:30 p.m. on the main rink at Germain Arena.  This FREE event is open to youth hockey players aged 5-13 interested in the opportunity to try playing goalie.  Everblades Goaltending Coach Josh Robinson in conjunction with Phil Osaer with USA Hockey will be hosting the event for interested youth players to have fun and give the goalie position a try. Goalie equipment will be provided, but interested players should bring their own hockey equipment and skates.

Ticket Information

Purchase Single Game Tickets at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online via Ticketmaster by CLICKING HERE

2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  Flexible partial plans are available. These packages will best fit your schedule and budget!  To view pricing and benefits of all available ticket packages CLICK HERE

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2017-18 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage!

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price!  Group tickets are available for all home games. Fundraising opportunities are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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