NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Florida Everblades (35-13-5-0, 75 pts.) continue a three-game week and start a two-game set with the South Carolina Stingrays (25-22-5-0, 55 pts.) with a Friday night matchup at North Charleston Coliseum.
VITALS:Game 54: Everblades at South CarolinaWhen: 7:05 p.m. ETWhere: North Charleston ColiseumWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBX - News, Talk & MoreSocial: Twitter | #FLAvsSC
Last Time OutEverblades forwards Tommy Thompson and Cliff Pu registered goals in the first period to give Florida a 2-1 lead after the opening frame, but the Jacksonville Icemen scored the final two goals of the game, both of which came in the second period, to earn a 3-2 win on Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Arena. Florida goaltender Jamie Phillips made 19 saves on 22 shots against his former team but dropped his second straight road start. BOX SCORE | RECAP
Players to WatchTommy Thompson (FLA) – The third-year pro posted his 14th goal of the season in Wednesday's setback to Jacksonville and is now just five points shy of his career-high of 33 points (16g-17a), which he established in his rookie season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in 2016-17. A native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, Thompson has logged three multi-point games this year, including a career-high three-point night against Greenville on Jan. 9.
Andrew Cherniwchan (SC) - In his seventh season in the ECHL, Cherniwchan has logged career-highs in games (52), goals (19), assists (30), and points (49) this season and leads the Stingrays in both assists and total points. In the most recent meeting with Florida, Cherniwchan posted a two-goal game, one of two multi-goal games this season for the Hinton, Alberta, native.
Series historyFriday is just the fifth meeting between Florida and South Carolina this season and the first since Dec. 1. In the only other matchup in South Carolina this year, the Everblades dropped a 1-0 decision to the Stingrays on Nov. 16. That was the 'Blades final regulation loss before starting a 13-game point streak. South Carolina is Florida's most-played opponent all-time, and Friday will mark the 191st meeting with the Stingrays. Florida has compiled a 101-67-22 record against South Carolina.
Not-So-ShorthandedFlorida has been adept at scoring shorthanded this season and especially so in road games. The 'Blades are tied for second in the ECHL in road shorthanded goals with eight and sit sixth overall in the league with 10 shorthanded tallies total. Coincidentally, the Stingrays are right behind the Everblades with nine total shorthanded goals this season, a total that is split almost evenly between home (4) and road (5).
Power-Play PredictorAlthough Florida's power-play conversion rate ranks just 21st in the ECHL, that power play has been an indicator of the 'Blades success. When the Everblades have posted a power-play goal, they have compiled a record of 19-1-2-0. Since converting on the power play in consecutive road games on Dec. 28-29 at Greenville, Florida has converted just once on 18 power-play opportunities over its last seven road games.
Second Period SwitchDespite their usual dominance in the second period, the Everblades' have had uncharacteristic struggles in the middle frame over their last two games. Florida has been outscored 6-0 in the second period of its last two games and allowed four goals in the second period of Saturday's 4-3 loss to Manchester, the most goals it has allowed in one period this season. Florida has been outscored in the second period in just 12 of its 53 games this season.
Next Up Florida wraps up a three-game week with the series finale against the Stingrays on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. ET.
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