'Blades Weekly: Season-high road trip finishes against Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. — Halfway through their longest road trip of the season, the Florida Everblades (7-5-2-0, 16 pts.) stay busy this week with three games in four days spanning the Thanksgiving holiday.

Starting its current 13-day, seven-game road trip with four games in five days this past week, Florida finished that stretch strong, winning its last two games by a combined 14-6 margin to pick up four of eight possible points. After falling by just one goal on both Wednesday and Friday to Jacksonville and South Carolina, respectively, the Everblades swept a two-game series with Atlanta with 6-3 and 8-3 wins on Saturday and Sunday.

The Everblades now focus on a pivotal three-game series against the Norfolk Admirals, the South Division’s current second-place team. Florida split with the Admirals on home ice back in October, falling 1-0 on Oct. 19 before a 6-1 win on Oct. 20.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSNov. 14 | at Jacksonville Icemen – L, 2-1RECAP | BOX SCORENov. 16 | at South Carolina Stingrays – L, 1-0RECAP | BOX SCORENov. 17 | at Atlanta Gladiators – W, 6-3RECAP | BOX SCORENov. 18 at Atlanta Gladiators – W, 8-3RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESNov. 21 | at Norfolk Admirals | 7 p.m. – Norfolk ScopeNov. 23 | at Norfolk Admirals | 7 p.m. – Norfolk ScopeNov. 24 | at Norfolk Admirals | 7 p.m. – Norfolk Scope

BLADES BITES

• Florida scored a season-high eight goals against Atlanta on Sunday as six different players registered a multi-point game in the contest, also a season-high.  
• Florida's six goals in the second period on Sunday in Atlanta were the most by an ECHL team in one period this season.

• Success is the middle frame is nothing new for Florida this year. The ‘Blades are an ECHL-best +13 in goal differential in the second period this season. The next two closest teams are a +6 in the middle stanza (Fort Wayne, Kansas City). 

• Alternate captain Joe Cox has heated up recently and posted seven points (3g, 4a) in Florida's last two games of the weekend, including his third multi-goal game of the season on Sunday against the Gladiators. Both of his two goals on Sunday came in that high-scoring second period, including a power-play goal, the eventual game-winning tally. He has 14 points (7g, 7a) over his last eight games.

• Thanks to the power-play tally from Cox and another from Derek Sheppard, the Everblades matched their season-high with two power-play goals on Sunday against the Gladiators.

• With his recent hot stretch, Cox is tied for 10th in the league in scoring (18 pts.) and is tied for third in the ECHL in plus-minus rating (+11).

• Rookie forward Blake Winiecki registered his first career professional goal and multi-goal game with a pair of goals in Sunday's win over the Gladiators.

• Defenseman Jordon Southorn matched his career-high and season-high with three points (1g, 2a) on Sunday in Atlanta. Southorn is tied for seventh in the league in scoring among defensemen with 11 points.

• Sunday was also a big night in goal for Jeremy Helvig, who saw a career-high 40 shots and made a career-high 37 saves. His 18 saves in the first period were pivotal in keeping the ‘Blades within one and were a new single-period high for a Florida goaltender this year.

• With 14 total goals in two games against Atlanta, Florida had its highest offensive production in consecutive games this season.

• The Everblades continued their defensive prowess over the weekend and rank second in the league in goals against per game (2.43) and shots against per game (27.64)  

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Jacksonville Icemen: 10-5-0-0, 20 PTS
2. Norfolk Admirals: 9-5-0-1, 19 PTS
3. Orlando Solar Bears: 8-5-2-0, 18 PTS
4. Florida Everblades: 7-5-2-0, 16 PTS
5. South Carolina Stingrays: 8-7-0-0, 16 PTS
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 5-10-2-0, 12 PTS
7. Atlanta Gladiators: 4-8-2-0, 10 PTS

‘BLADES LEADERS

G: Joe Cox (9)A: Cox/Jordon Southorn (9)PTS: Cox (18)+/-: Cox/John McCarron (+11)SH: J. McCarron (39)GAA: Jamie Phillips (2.01)SV%: Phillips (.920)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS$2 Wednesday (Nov. 28) – It’s the first $2 Wednesday of the season on Nov. 28 when the Everblades start a three-game series with the South Carolina Stingrays. John Morrell hots dogs, Bud Light drafts, and Barefoot Wine are just $2 each!

Bottomless Popcorn Friday (Nov. 30) – It’s a bottomless popcorn and kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub Friday as the Everblades face the South Carolina Stingrays.

Harry Potter Night (Dec. 1) – Hertz Arena transforms into Hogwarts and the wizarding world of Harry Potter for one night as the ‘Blades finish a three-game series against the South Carolina Stingrays. Join the ‘Blades for a free pregame tailgate from 5-7 p.m. featuring live music from The Kimberly’s. 

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!

Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!

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