GAME DAY: Everblades vs. South Carolina - Dec. 1

ESTERO, Fla. — The Florida Everblades (10-5-4-0, 24 pts.) wrap up a three-game series with the South Carolina Stingrays (11-9-0-0, 22 pts.) on Saturday night, seeking to earn five of six possible points in the only home series against South Carolina this season. 

VITALS:Game 20: Everblades vs. South CarolinaWhen: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Hertz ArenaTickets: TicketmasterWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBX Social: Twitter | #SCvsFLAGame notes: Click here

Last Time OutPatrick Gaul scored with six seconds left in overtime to lift the Stingrays to a 3-2 victory on Friday night at Hertz Arena. Zach Nastasiuk opened the scoring for Florida with his fifth goal of the season at the 15:15 mark of the first period, and John McCarron tied the game at two on his sixth goal of the season with 10:23 left in regulation to help Florida force overtime. Goaltender Parker Milner made 38 saves to earn the win for South Carolina.  

​​​​​​Players to WatchJamie Phillips (FLA) – Phillips has fared well at home this season and has earned victories in all three of his starts. The Michigan Tech product has a 1.33 GAA and a .951 save percentage at Hertz Arena and has allowed two goals or fewer in all three starts. 

Parker Milner (SC) - Milner matched his season-best by allowing only two goals on Friday night in his sixth win of the season. His save total of 38 was his high second-highest of the season. He has allowed three goals or fewer in six of his 10 starts. 

Key notes

• Saturday night is the fourth of the eight meetings this season between Florida and South Carolina and final matchup at Hertz Arena. The two teams have faced off on 189 occasions, making South Carolina the Everblades' most-played opponent in team history. Florida holds a 100-67-22 all-time record against the Stingrays.   
• Florida continued to excel in suppressing shots on Friday, holding South Carolina to just 22 shots on goal in the overtime loss. In doing that, the ‘Blades matched their season record for fewest shots on goal allowed in a contest. Florida ranks second in the league in shots against per game (27.6). Friday’s feat is even more remarkable considering the Stingrays entered the series averaging the third-most shots on goal per game (34.3) in the league.   
• South Carolina picked up its sixth win in a one-goal game with Friday’s victory and is 6-2-0-0 in one-goal contests this season. Friday was also the first overtime game the Stingrays have been involved in this season, their first regular season overtime affair since a 4-3 loss to the Everblades at North Charleston Coliseum on April 3 of last season.  
• Friday night marked the first time this season Florida has not gone on to win when leading after the first period. Prior to the 3-2 overtime loss to South Carolina, the Everblades were 7-0-0 when holding an advantage after 20 minutes.   
• With a 2-for-2 night on the penalty kill on Friday, Florida improved its league-leading penalty kill on home ice to 96.6 percent (28-for-29). Entering Saturday night, the Everblades have killed off 24 consecutive penalties at Hertz Arena dating back to the only power-play goal yielded at home this season, a second period marker on the man advantage for the Norfolk Admirals in a 6-1 Florida win on Oct. 20.   
• The first two games of the current set with South Carolina have featured a stark contrast in penalty time. The Stingrays and Everblades combined for 15 power-play opportunities and 76 penalty minutes in the series opener on Wednesday, the most combined penalty minutes in a game involving the Everblades this season. Last night, the two teams had just five total power plays and only 18 minutes of penalties.   
• Jamie Phillips will be back in goal for Florida on Saturday night and carries in the fifth-best goals-against-average in the ECHL (2.21). After allowing an individual season-high five goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Norfolk Admirals last Saturday, Phillips bounced back strong, tying his season-best by allowing only one goal in the 'Blades 4-1 win over the Stingrays.  
• The Everblades finished off the month of November with a seven-game unbeaten streak, compiling a record of 8-2-3-0 in the month to climb into sole possession of second place in the South Division.   
• Florida is an ECHL-best +12 in the second period this season but has yet to score in the second period in any of the three matchups with South Carolina this season. The Stingrays have outscored Florida 3-0 in those three middle frames.   
• Joe Cox leads the Everblades and ranks second in the league in plus-minus rating this season at +15. He has been an even or better rating in all but two games.   

Next UpThe Everblades continue their six-game homestand with three games in four days next week, starting with a Wednesday night matchup against the Jacksonville Icemen, the first-place team in the South Division. 

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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