'Blades Weekly: Stretch of 6 straight at home starts against South Carolina

ESTERO, Fla. — On the heels of a season-high seven-game road trip, the Florida Everblades (9-5-3-0, 21 pts.) return home this week and start a six-game homestand with a three-game set against the South Carolina Stingrays.

After dropping the first two games of the road trip, Florida finished the 13-day trek strong with a five-game point streak and earned five of six possible points against the Norfolk Admirals this past week. Florida had its second-highest offensive output in the middle game of the three-game series with a 7-3 win over the Admirals and totaled 15 total goals against Norfolk.

South Carolina, one of Florida’s opponents on the road trip, visits the Everblades this weekend for the first time this season. The two teams meet eight times this year, but this weekend’s set at Hertz Arena are the only games in Florida. The Stingrays bested the ‘Blades, 1-0, in the first meeting of the season on Nov. 16 at the North Charleston Coliseum.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSNov. 21 | at Norfolk Admirals – W, 4-2RECAP | BOX SCORE

Nov. 23 | at Norfolk Admirals – W, 7-3RECAP | BOX SCORE

Nov. 24 | at Norfolk Admirals – OT L, 5-4RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESNov. 28 | vs. South Carolina Stingrays | 7:30 p.m. – Hertz ArenaNov. 30 | vs. South Carolina Stingrays | 7:30 p.m. – Hertz ArenaDec. 1 | vs. South Carolina Stingrays | 7 p.m. – Hertz Arena

BLADES BITES

• With the five-game point streak, the Everblades have jumped from fifth place in the South Division into a tie for second place.
• Florida’s offense has found its stride in the unbeaten streak. The ‘Blades have scored 29 goals in its five-game point streak to jump from 20th in the ECHL in goals per game to fifth in the category at 3.65 goals per contest.
• Forward Kyle Platzer has been one of the key components offensively of late and has tallied a goal in four straight games, a season-high for an Everblades player.
• Four different players have an active five-game point streak entering Wednesday’s tilt against South Carolina, including Joe Cox (3g, 7a), Platzer (5g, 5a), Steven Lorentz (3g, 7a), and Jordon Southorn (2g, 6a).
• Southorn has excelled offensively from the blueline and is now third among ECHL defensemen in points (15) and assists (12) after a four-point weekend (4a).
• Cox is tied for ninth in the ECHL in overall scoring (21 pts.) and is second in the league in plus-minus rating (+15).  
• Florida scored two power-play goals on nine opportunities in last week’s three-game series against Norfolk and ranks third in the league on the power play at 21.2 percent (11-for-52). The Everblades are even better on the power play on the road, ranking first in the ECHL with a conversion rate of 25.7 percent (9-for-35).
• With a pair of power-play goals over the weekend, Derek Sheppard is tied for first among ECHL defensemen with three power-play markers this season.
• The Everblades still rank in the top three in the league in a pair of defensive categories, sitting third in the ECHL in both shots allowed per game (28.1) and goals allowed per game (2.59).  

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Jacksonville Icemen: 13-6-0-0, 26 PTS
2. Florida Everblades: 9-5-3-0, 21 PTS
3. Norfolk Admirals: 10-7-0-1, 21 PTS
4. South Carolina Stingrays: 10-8-0-0, 20 PTS
5. Orlando Solar Bears: 9-7-2-0, 20 PTS
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 6-11-3-0, 15 PTS
7. Atlanta Gladiators: 5-9-2-0, 12 PTS  

‘BLADES LEADERSG: Joe Cox (9)A: Cox/Steven Lorentz, Jordon Southorn (12)PTS: Cox (21)+/-: Cox (+15)SH: J. McCarron (51)GAA: Jamie Phillips (2.35)SV%: Phillips (.913)

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 with Harry Potter Night presented by Collier County Fairgrounds. Join the ‘Blades for a free pregame tailgate from 5-7 p.m. featuring live music from The Kimberly’s.

EVERBLADES 2018-19 BROADCAST INFORMATIONCatch 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 home games are on sale now!Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are still on sale! Become part of the Everblades Family with a 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.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 affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes