GAME DAY: Everblades at Newfoundland Growlers - Oct. 13

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland — The Florida Everblades (0-1-0, 0 PTS) wrap up a two-game series with the Newfoundland Growlers (1-0-0, 2 PTS) on Saturday night, aiming for a series split in the opening series of the 2018-19 regular season.

VITALS:

Game 2: Everblades at Newfoundland GrowlersWhen: 5:30 PM ETWhere: Mile One CentreWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBX News Talk & MoreSocial: Twitter | #FLAvsNFL

Last Night

The Everblades scored twice in the third period to close the gap, but Newfoundland tallied between the two ‘Blades goals to earn a win in its first game in franchise history. Kyle Platzer tabbed the first Florida goal of the season, scoring with 9:33 left in regulation, while Matt Foget found the back of the net for his first goal in an Everblades sweater at the 18:46 mark of the third to make it a 3-2 game. Goaltender Jeremy Helvig stopped 28 shots in his professional debut for Florida.

Players to Watch

Matt Foget (FLA) - A native of Orleans, Ontario, Foget posted a goal in his Everblades debut on Friday night, his second career ECHL goal in just his third game in the league. Foget tallied a game-winning goal in overtime in his ECHL debut with the Allen Americans at the end of the 2017-18 season. 

Semyon Babintsev (NFL) - After making his ECHL debut in the 2017-18 season with the Utah Grizzlies, Babintsev netted his first goal of the season on Friday night, the first game-winning goal in Growlers history. The Moskva, Russia, native netted 12 points in 22 games for Utah last season. 

Key notes

• The last time Florida fell in a season opener, it came back to win the following night. The Everblades dropped a 3-2 decision to the Orlando Solar Bears in the 2014-15 regular season opener, but then responded with a 4-1 win the following nigh

• Florida is coming off the best season in its 20-year history after posting a team record 112 points and 53 wins on the way to the second Kelly Cup Finals appearance and the third Brabham Cup Championship in team history. 

• In addition to qualifying for the postseason in 19 of its 20 seasons, the Everblades have captured six division championships and four conference championships. Florida won the 2012 Kelly Cup. 

• Eight players who suited up for the Everblades last season return this season, headlined by leading goal scorer John McCarron, who posted 29 tallies a season ago, and leading rookie scorer Joe Cox, who tabbed 54 points in 70 games. 

• Other returners include forwards Sam Warning (18 GP), Steven Lorentz (62 GP), and Blake Winiecki (4 GP) and defensemen Josh Wesley (8 GP), Logan Roe (54 GP), and Derek Sheppard (10 GP). 

• Both Florida netminders are either under AHL or NHL contracts and are both NHL Draft picks. Helvig is currently under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after being selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, while Jamie Phillips is under contract with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and was selected in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.  
• Florida starts the season with 12 of its first 17 games on the road, including a season-long seven-game road trip from Nov. 14-24.    
• There are eight players on Florida’s current roster who are NHL Draft picks, which include Jordon Southorn, Josh Wesley, Steven Lorentz, Kyle Platzer, John McCarron, Zach Nastasiuk, Helvig and Phillips. Nastasiuk is the highest pick and was selected in the second round, 48th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 draft.   
• Everblades head coach Brad Ralph is one win shy of 100 regular season victories with the Everblades, a milestone he could reach on Saturday night against Newfoundland. The ‘Blades bench boss has compiled 350 career wins in eight seasons as a head coach across stints in the SPHL, Western Hockey League, and ECHL.  

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