‘Blades Weekly: Rivalry week features three straight with Solar Bears

ESTERO, Fla. — Now past the one-third point of the 2018-19 regular season, the South Division’s first-place Florida Everblades (16-6-4-0, 36 pts.) set their sights on a three-game weekend that features three matchups with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Florida started its current stretch of five straight road games by grabbing four of six possible points last week in its first of two consecutive three-in-three weekends. The Everblades swept a two-game series with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Thursday and Friday to stretch their season-high point streak to 13 games before dropping a Saturday night battle in Jacksonville.

After going more than a month and a half without facing Orlando, Florida will square off with the Solar Bears three straight times this weekend, including a weekend finale at home on Saturday. The two teams meet 12 times this season, a series that includes six matchups on the road and six at Hertz Arena. 

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSDec. 13 | at Greenville Swamp Rabbits – W, 3-0RECAP | BOX SCORE

Dec. 14 | at Greenville Swamp Rabbits – W, 4-2RECAP | BOX SCORE

Dec. 15 | at Jacksonville Icemen – L, 2-4RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESDec. 20 | at Orlando Solar Bears | 7 p.m. – Amway CenterDec. 21 | at Orlando Solar Bears | 7 p.m. – Amway CenterDec. 22 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears | 7 p.m. – Hertz Arena

‘BLADES BIOS

• Jamie Phillips earned his third career ECHL shutout and first with the ‘Blades with his 23-save performance in a 3-0 win over Greenville on Thursday.
• After going 22 games without a goal dating back to last season, defenseman Ben Masella tabbed goals in back to back games to finish this past weekend. 
• Phillips is second in the league with 11 wins and is tied for third in goals-against-average with a 2.21 mark. He posted the Everblades longest winning streak by a goaltender this year with a five-game streak that ended in Saturday’s loss to Jacksonville.
• In his first start back with the ‘Blades after being reassigned by the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, Jeremy Helvig earned his third straight road win with a 25-save performance on Friday.
• Defenseman Derek Sheppard is tied for the league lead among defensemen with four power-play goals and is fifth among ECHL blue liners with seven goals.  

QUICK HITS

• With Friday’s win against Greenville, the Everblades earned at least one standings point for the 13th consecutive game, matching the longest point streak in the ECHL in the last two seasons.
• Despite falling on Saturday, the ‘Blades still have the second-longest home point streak in the ECHL this season, carrying a 10-game streak into this Saturday’s home game. The ‘Blades are one of just three teams in the league with one or fewer losses at home.
• Florida is tied for second in the league in road shorthanded goals with four.
• The Everblades are second in the league in goals against per game (2.46) and tied for fourth in the league in goals for per game (3.58).  

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Florida Everblades: 16-6-4-0, 36 PTS
2. South Carolina Stingrays: 16-11-0-0, 32 PTS
3. Jacksonville Icemen: 15-10-1-0, 31 PTS
4. Orlando Solar Bears: 13-9-2-0, 28 PTS
5. Norfolk Admirals: 12-13-1-1, 26 PTS
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 10-17-3-0, 23 PTS
7. Atlanta Gladiators: 5-13-5-1, 16 PTS  

‘BLADES LEADERSG: Joe Cox (11)A: Cox (16)PTS: Cox (27)+/-: Cox (+21)SH: John McCarron (88)GAA: Jamie Phillips (2.21)SV%: Phillips (.918)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONSUgly Sweater & Skate with Santa (Dec. 22) – Join the ‘Blades for a holiday-themed night that features a postgame Skate with Santa and the Everblades! It’s also Ugly Sweater Night, and the ‘Blades fan with the best ugly sweater will win an awesome prize. 

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 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