PREVIEW: 'Blades close grueling stretch of games in South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Playing their sixth game in the last nine days, the Florida Everblades (22-10-2-2, 48 pts.) wrap up a three-game week with a Saturday night matchup against the South Carolina Stingrays (25-5-3-1, 54 pts.) at North Charleston Coliseum. 

VITALS:Game 37: Everblades at South Carolina StingraysWhen: 6:05 p.m. ETWhere: North Charleston ColiseumWatch: ECHL TVListen: WJBX (101.5 FM, 104.3 FM, 770 AM)Social: Twitter | Instagram

Last time outSix different players scored a goal, and former Everblades goaltender Jeremy Helvig stopped 42 shots to push the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 6-2 win over the Everblades on Friday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Trailing 2-1 entering the third period, Florida gave up a season-high four goals in the final frame in its first loss in Greenville this season. Cody Sol posted his first goal with the Everblades, while Michael Neville also found the back of the net in the loss. RECAP

Series At A GlanceAfter South Carolina won the first three matchups of the season with Florida, the 'Blades now have three straight victories against the Stingrays, including a two-game sweep of the 'Rays in North Charleston last weekend. Saturday marks the 201st all-time meeting between the teams, and Florida possesses a 107-71-22 all-time record against South Carolina. Including Saturday, the two teams still have four more meetings at North Charleston Coliseum this season. 

Players to WatchMike Neville (FLA) - Neville missed the first 20 games of the season due to injury, but he has been a consistent offensive force since making his return to the lineup. The second-year pro has goals in consecutive games and has posted nine points (4g-5a) and a +10 plus-minus rating in 15 games this year. He tabbed 35 points (11g-24a) in his first full season with the Everblades last year. 

Andrew Cheriwchan (SC) -  The Stingrays captain has been a key offensive piece over the last two seasons. Following a 67-point campaign last year, Cherniwchan is right around the same scoring pace this season with 29 points (15g-14a) in 34 games. He has played his entire ECHL career with South Carolina, logging 250 career games, 91 goals, and 199 points over eight seasons. 

Kept at BaySouth Carolina has been outshot in only 11 games this season, and five of those occasions have come at the hands of the Everblades. Entering Saturday night, the Stingrays have posted the third-most shots on goal per game (34.23) in the ECHL, but the 'Blades have limited them to an average of just 27.00 shots per game through the first six games of the season series. Florida has held South Carolina to less than 25 shots on goal in three of the six games. 

Fire Away!Florida matched its season-high by firing 44 shots on goal on Friday in Greenville. Coincidentally, the last time the 'Blades put up 44 shots on goal was on Dec. 7, when they topped the Stingrays, 3-2, in overtime. Friday's game was the first time this season that the Everblades had 40 or more shots on goal but lost the game. Florida is now 4-1-0-0 when it has 40-plus shots on goal in a game. 

Taking ControlIn outshooting Greenville on Friday, Florida has now outshot its opponent in 10 straight games. That's the Everblades' second-longest stretch of outshooting their opponent this year. From Nov. 2-27, Florida outshot its foe in 11 straight games. The 'Blades can match their season-high by outshooting South Carolina on Saturday. 

Next UpFollowing Saturday's game in North Charleston, Florida begins a three-game week with a Wednesday night road matchup against the Kalamazoo Wings. The game starts Florida's final week of road non-conference games. 

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and AHL's Milwaukee Admirals