Everblades Weekly: Battle with first-place Jacksonville on tap

ESTERO, Fla. — After a home-and-home series with the Orlando Solar Bears this past weekend, the Florida Everblades (2-3-1, 5 pts.) continue a stretch of seven straight games against in-state teams this weekend with a two-game set in Jacksonville against the Icemen (5-0-0, 10 pts.).

Following a 3-0 loss on Friday in Orlando, the Everblades earned a point on Saturday in a 5-4 overtime setback to the Solar Bears at Hertz Arena. Four different players scored on Saturday for Florida as Justin Auger, Zach Nastasiuk and Tommy Thompson all registered their first goals with the ‘Blades.

Friday and Saturday mark the first two of 13 total meetings between Florida and Jacksonville this season. The Everblades dominated the regular season series last year with the Icemen, compiling a 13-0-1 record in 14 meetings. However, Jacksonville has started strong this year and is the only remaining undefeated team in the ECHL. The two teams will square off five straight times from Friday through Nov. 14.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSOct. 26 | at Orlando Solar Bears – L, 3-0RECAP | BOX SCORE

Oct. 27 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears – OT L, 5-4RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESNov. 2 | at Jacksonville Icemen | 7:30 p.m. – Veterans Memorial ArenaNov. 3 | at Jacksonville Icemen | 7 p.m. – Veterans Memorial Arena

BLADES BITES

• Justin Auger posted his first goal and multi-point game of the season in Florida’s 5-4 overtime setback on Saturday night, the fourth multi-point game of the season for a Florida player.  
• Auger matched an Everblades individual single-game high for this season with his six shots on goal on Friday night against Orlando, equaling Steven Lorentz’s effort from Oct. 20 against Norfolk. Despite playing in only four of Florida’s six games, Auger leads the ‘Blades with 18 shots on goal.  
• Tommy Thompson and Zach Nastasiuk also scored their first goals with the Everblades on Saturday night.  
• Florida goaltenders have combined to allow the third-fewest goals per game this season in the ECHL, yielding an average of 2.50 goals per tilt.     
• Jamie Phillips yielded two goals or fewer for his third straight start on Friday night against Orlando and ranks sixth among ECHL goaltenders with a 1.67 goals-against average.  
• Florida has limited opponents to the fourth-fewest shots per game in the league, surrendering just 27.3 shots against per contest.  
• The Everblades have surrendered just one power-play goal through six games and have the third-highest penalty kill rate in the ECHL at 94.7 percent. Florida killed off all eight Orlando power plays this past weekend.  
• Florida’s road penalty kill is one of just five perfect road penalty kills in the league. Through three road games, the Everblades have been shorthanded an average of 1.67 times per game, the fewest shorthanded situations per road game in the ECHL.

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Jacksonville Icemen: 5-0-0-0, 10 PTS
2. Orlando Solar Bears: 4-3-0-0, 8 PTS
3. South Carolina Stingrays: 4-4-0-0, 8 PTS
4. Norfolk Admirals: 4-2-0-0, 8 PTS
5. Florida Everblades: 2-3-1-0, 5 PTS
6. Atlanta Gladiators: 2-3-1-0, 5 PTS
7. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 2-4-1-0, 5 PTS

‘BLADES LEADERSG: Kyle Platzer (3)A: Steven Lorentz (4)PTS: Lorentz (6)+/-: John McCarron/Tommy Thompson (+4)SH: Justin Auger (18)GAA: Jamie Phillips (1.67)SV%: Phillips (.933)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONSNov. 9 – The first 3,000 fans on Swampee’s Birthday on Nov. 9 will receive a Swampee growth chart presented by Arthrex. Mascots from around Southwest Florida will be on hand to help Swampee celebrate that night.

Nov. 10 – The ‘Blades pay tribute to our nation’s armed forces with Military Night. Florida will wear specialty camouflage uniforms that will be auctioned off postgame to benefit the National Coalition for Patriots.

EVERBLADES 2018-19 BROADCAST INFORMATION Catch all the exciting action of Everblades hockey on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5 FM, 104.3 FM, 770 AM on the radio waves, or listen for FREE online here.

Fans can also watch the games on a subscription basis on ECHL.TV.

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Single-game tickets for all regular season games are on sale now!

Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are on sale now! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Full Season, Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits!  To view the Ticket & Voucher Package options CLICK HERE. Ask about the payment plan options too!

SPECIAL OFFER!  Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades T-Shirt!

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The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes