‘Blades Weekly: Travel-heavy week looms ahead

ESTERO, Fla. — After playing just two games last week for the first time since early November, the Florida Everblades prepare for a grueling, travel-heavy schedule this week that includes three games in three cities over five days.

Currently in a stretch of three straight games against the Jacksonville Icemen, Florida (30-8-5-0, 65 pts.) won the first two matchups over the weekend and allowed just one goal total. Florida had three multi-point performances in Friday’s 3-0 win (Joe Cox: 1g-1a, Blake Winiecki: 1g-1a, John McCarron: 2a), while Cox and McCarron both had two goals in Saturday’s win. Saturday was the third time this season two different players have tallied multiple goals in the same game.

Florida now gets ready to embark on a trip of nearly 1,500 miles roundtrip this weekend. The ‘Blades start the week at home with a Tuesday matchup against Jacksonville, travel 720 miles to Duluth, Georgia, to face the Atlanta Gladiators on Thursday, and then close out the weekend with a Saturday affair against the Greenville Swamp Rabbis. Florida is a combined 14-1-0-0 against Atlanta and Greenville this season.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTSJan. 25 | Jacksonville Icemen – W, 3-0RECAP | BOX SCORE

Jan. 26 | at Jacksonville Icemen – W, 5-1RECAP | BOX SCORE

THIS WEEK’S GAMESJan. 29 | vs. Jacksonville Icemen | 7:30 p.m. – Hertz ArenaJan. 31 | at Atlanta Gladiators | 7:35 p.m. – Infinite Energy ArenaFeb. 2 | at Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 7 p.m. – Bon Secours Wellness Arena

‘BLADES BIOS

• Jeremy Helvig continued one of the best stretches by an ECHL goaltender this season with his third shutout in his last four starts, posting a 20-save effort in the 3-0 win over Jacksonville on Friday. The rookie has earned 11 straight wins, which is tied for the fifth-longest personal win streak by a goaltender in ECHL history.  
• Having allowed just one goal in his last four starts, Helvig is now second in the ECHL in goals-against-average with a 2.08 mark.
• After tabbing three points (2g-1a) in the ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, Joe Cox registered multi-point performances in both of Florida’s games this weekend. He is now tied for third in the ECHL in scoring with 46 points. He has 12 multi-point games this year.
• Cox and defenseman Logan Roe are tied for the league lead with +37 plus-minus ratings.  

QUICK HITS

• Florida leads the league in both goals for per game (4.00) and goals against per game (2.33).
• John McCarron scored shorthanded on Saturday to give the ‘Blades six road shorthanded goals, a road total that is tied for second in the league.
• Florida’s goal differential of +72 is the best in the ECHL and is 19 goals better than the next best goal differential, Cincinnati’s +53.
• The Everblades have played in the most games decided by more than three goals and have a spotless 11-0-0-0 record in those contests.
• Florida has allowed less than three goals in 26 games this season and has permitted less than two goals in 10 tilts.   

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. Florida Everblades: 30-8-5-0, 65 PTS
2. South Carolina Stingrays: 23-17-2-0, 48 PTS
3. Jacksonville Icemen: 23-18-1-1, 48 PTS
4. Orlando Solar Bears: 21-17-3-0, 45 PTS
5. Norfolk Admirals: 17-21-2-3, 39 PTS
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 14-26-3-2, 33 PTS
7. Atlanta Gladiators: 13-19-6-1, 33 PTS  

‘BLADES LEADERSG: Joe Cox (20)A: Cox (26)PTS: Cox (46)+/-: Cox/Logan Roe (+37)SH: John McCarron (143)GAA: Jeremy Helvig (2.08)SV%: Helvig (.921)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS$2 Tuesday (Jan. 29) – It’s a $2 Wednesday…on a Tuesday! Beer, wine and hot dogs are just $2 all night courtesy of Bud Light, Barefoot Wine, and John Morrell.

$2 Wednesday (Feb. 6) – It’s another $2 Wednesday! Beer, wine and hot dogs are just $2 all night courtesy of Bud Light, Barefoot Wine, and John Morrell.

Bottomless Popcorn Friday (Feb. 8) – Join the 'Blades for a Bottomless Popcorn and Kids Eat Free in Breakaway Sports Pub Friday when the ‘Blades host the Adirondack Thunder!

Pink in the Rink (Feb. 9) — Help the ‘Blades in the fight against breast cancer for the annual Pink in the Rink presented by Radiology Regional Center! The Everblades will wear specialty jerseys during the game that will be auctioned off postgame to benefit 4 Words Foundation. The night gets underway with a free pregame tailgate from 5-7 p.m. and features live music from Brandon Maddox.

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.

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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 tote bag!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