GAME DAY: Everblades vs. Atlanta - Jan. 4

ESTERO, Fla. — In the midst of a five-game winning streak, the Florida Everblades (22-6-5-0, 49 pts.) square off with the Atlanta Gladiators (7-18-5-1, 20 pts.) on Friday night at Hertz Arena in search of their 18th straight regular-season win against Atlanta.

VITALS:Game 34: Everblades vs. AtlantaWhen: 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: Hertz ArenaTickets: TicketmasterWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBX Social: Twitter | #ATLvsFLA

Last Time OutThe ‘Blades scored twice in the second period and twice more in the third period, and goaltender Jeremy Helvig made 25 saves to give Florida a 4-1 win over Atlanta on Wednesday night at Hertz Arena, the first of three straight games between the two teams. Patrick McCarron started the scoring with his first goal of the season, and Justin Auger, Kyle Platzer and Nathan Perkovich added the other goals. Helvig’s win was his sixth straight victory. 

BOX SCORE | RECAP Players to WatchJustin Auger (FLA) – The Waterloo, Ontario, native has tabbed seven goals in 14 games with the 'Blades this season. Since returning from his second AHL call-up on Dec. 19, Auger has recorded seven points (4g-3a) in seven games. He is currently riding a five-game point streak. 

Nolan LaPorte (ATL) - The former Everblades forward notched his seventh goal of the season on Wednesday night and has 16 points (7g-9a) in 21 games this season. A third-year pro, LaPorte has 71 career points (25g-46a) in 108 games. The Western Michigan University alumnus put up a 44-point season in his first year in the ECHL in 2016-17 with the Quad City Mallards. 

Series historyFriday night is the fifth of 11 total meetings between Florida and Atlanta this season and the second of six matchups at Hertz Arena. In 161 previous all-time tilts with the Gladiators, the Everblades have posted a record of 95-51-15. Florida has not lost in regulation against Atlanta in more than two years, with the last loss in regulation coming on Dec. 17, 2016. Florida has racked up a record of 22-0-1 in the 23 games since that setback.  Streakin'In addition to its five-game winning streak, Florida has lost just once in regulation over its last 21 games and has a 17-1-3-0 record in that stretch. After putting together a 2-3-1 record in October, Florida has posted a 20-3-4-0 mark in the three months since then. 

Home, Sweet HomeSince a 1-0 loss in its home opener on Oct. 19, Florida has not lost at home. The 'Blades have a record of 10-0-2 in their 12-game home point streak, which is the second-longest home point streak in the ECHL this season behind Cincinnati's 16-game streak. 

Three, pleaseWhen Florida has reached three goals in a game, success has followed. The 'Blades have yet to lose a game in regulation when they have found the back of the net three times, sporting a record of 22-0-4-0 in that scenario. 

Defensive ExcellenceFlorida allowed just one goal on Wednesday night and has limited an opponent to one goal or fewer on six occasions this season. That performance is hardly an anomaly for the 'Blades, which rank second in the ECHL in both goals allowed per game (2.55) and shots allowed per game (27.0). 

Next Up Florida wraps up the first of two straight weekends at home with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Gladiators on Saturday at Hertz Arena. —

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