‘Blades Weekly: Post-holiday break play starts with 3-game trip

ESTERO, Fla. — At the top of the Eastern Conference for the first time this season, the Florida Everblades (18-6-5-0, 41 pts.) start post-holiday break play with a three-game road trip this weekend.

Florida grabbed five of six possible points this past weekend against their in-state rivals the Orlando Solar Bears and have earned at least one standings point in 16 of their last 17 games. In one of the most thrilling games of the season to-date, the Everblades overcame their largest deficit of the year in a victory on Saturday, climbing out of a two-goal hole in the last eight minutes of the third period to beat Orlando in overtime with this game-winner from Justin Auger.

Florida will have to endure its third consecutive three-in-three this weekend with a stretch of road games that includes another two-game set against Greenville and the third matchup with Atlanta this season. Including the two wins this year, the ‘Blades have won 15 straight regular season games against Atlanta dating back to the 2016-17 season.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSDec. 20 | at Orlando Solar Bears – W, 4-2RECAP | BOX SCORE

Dec. 21 | at Orlando Solar Bears – OT L, 3-4RECAP | BOX SCOREDec. 22 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears – W, 6-5 (OT)RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESDec. 27 | at Atlanta Gladiators | 7:35 p.m. – Infinite Energy ArenaDec. 28 | at Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 7 p.m. – Bon Secours Wellness ArenaDec. 29 | at Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 7 p.m. – Bon Secours Wellness Arena

‘BLADES BIOS

• Jeremy Helvig posted a pair of wins this past week and now has four straight victories between the pipes for Florida.
• Captain John McCarron recorded a seven-point week (4g, 3a), including his first multi-goal game of the season on Friday, and is now 12th in the ECHL in scoring with 30 points.
• The ‘Blades are better with McCarron and Joe Cox on the ice. The duo is tied for second in the league in plus-minus rating with a +20 rating each.
• Derek Sheppard registered his first career multi-goal game on Saturday night and is tied for second among ECHL defensemen with nine goals.  

‘BLADES BITES

• With Saturday’s win against Orlando, Florida has now earned at least one point in 11 consecutive home games and has a record of 9-0-2-0 in that stretch.
• The Everblades are one of just two teams in the ECHL that has not lost in regulation when scoring first (11-0-4-0).
• Florida’s six-goal outburst on Saturday helped move it to fourth in the league in goals for per game (3.66).
• The Everblades have outshot their opponent in six consecutive games. That advantage has been even starker in the last four tilts. Florida has a 165-87 edge in shots on goal in that span, outshooting their opponent by an average of 19.5 shots on goal per game.  

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Florida Everblades: 18-6-5-0, 41 PTS
2. South Carolina Stingrays: 18-12-1-0, 37 PTS
3. Jacksonville Icemen: 17-11-1-0, 35 PTS
4. Orlando Solar Bears: 14-11-3-0, 31 PTS
5. Norfolk Admirals: 12-15-1-2, 27 PTS
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 12-18-3-0, 27 PTS
7. Atlanta Gladiators: 6-15-5-1, 18 PTS  

‘BLADES LEADERSG: John McCarron (14)A: Joe Cox (18)PTS: J. McCarron (30)+/-: Cox/J. McCarron (+20)SH: J. McCarron (107)GAA: Jamie Phillips (2.32)SV%: Phillips (.913)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS$2 Wednesday (Jan. 2) – It’s a $2 Wednesday on Jan. 2 when the Everblades start a three-game series with the Atlanta Gladiators. John Morrell hots dogs, Bud Light drafts, and Barefoot Wine are just $2 each!

Trivia Night (Jan. 4) – It’s Trivia Night with the ‘Blades on National Trivia Day! Fans will have a chance to test their knowledge and win prizes. It’s also a bottomless popcorn and kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub Friday as the Everblades face the Gladiators.

Pregame Tailgate Saturday (Jan. 5) – Join the ‘Blades for a free pregame tailgate from 5-7 p.m. featuring live music from The Other Woman and bounce houses for the kids!

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.

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

—

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