'Blades Weekly: Heavy stretch of in-state games continues

ESTERO, Fla. — With a playoff spot secured for the 21st time in 22 seasons, the Florida Everblades now prepare for three games for the sixth straight week, battling the Jacksonville Icemen in a home-and-home set on Wednesday and Friday before a Saturday home matchup against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

 LAST WEEK’S RESULTSFeb. 28 | vs. Newfoundland Growlers – W, 3-0Despite losing five players to AHL call-ups earlier in the week, the Everblades still knocked off the defending Kelly Cup champs behind a 32-save shutout from Cam Johnson. Justin Auger’s team-leading 25th goal of the season held up as the game-winning tally. Full recap

Feb. 29 | vs. Jacksonville Icemen – W, 5-2With the game tied at one after the first, the Everblades scored three times in the middle frame to coast to their seventh straight win against Jacksonville and clinch a playoff berth. Michael Huntebrinker and Hunter Garlent both put up two goals and four points in the win, the first time this season Florida has had two players record four or more points in the same game. Full recap

March 1 | at Orlando Solar Bears – W, 3-0In their seventh game in 12 days, the Everblades earned their fourth straight victory thanks in large part to a season-high 40-save performance from Ken Appleby. Garlent registered his fourth straight multi-point game, posting a goal and an assist in the win. Full recap

THIS WEEK’S GAMESMarch 4 | vs. Jacksonville Icemen | 7:30 p.m. – Hertz ArenaMarch 6 | at Jacksonville Icemen | 7 p.m. – Veterans Memorial ArenaMarch 7 | vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits| 7 p.m. – Hertz Arena ‘BLADES BIOS

• Hunter Garlent paced the ‘Blades offense last week with eight points (3g, 5a) in three games. He now ranks tied for seventh in the league in rookie scoring with 41 points (16g, 25a).
• Michael Huntebrinker had a shorthanded assist on Saturday and leads the league with seven shorthanded points (4g, 3a).
• Ben Masella leads the ECHL with a +37 rating, overtaking teammate Logan Roe with a +7 week.
• Cam Johnson made consecutive starts for the first time this season on Friday and Saturday and allowed just two goals on 69 shots.  

QUICK HITS

• Florida reached the 40-win mark on Saturday, the 12th time in the team’s 22 seasons that is hit that single-season milestone.
• The Everblades rank second in the league with 13 shorthanded goals and scored two last week.
• After allowing at least one power-play goal in nine straight games, Florida was a perfect 16-for-16 on the penalty kill in three games last week.
• With two shutouts in three games last week, Florida climbed to second in the league in goals allowed per game (2.56).     

TEAM STATISTICSOverall record: 41-13-3-2Home record: 22-7-2-0Road record: 19-6-1-2Last week’s record: 3-0-0-0Last 10 games: 8-2-0-0Division standings: 2ndConference standings: 2ndLeague standings: 2nd

‘BLADES LEADERSG: Justin Auger (25)A: Darik Angeli (34)PTS: Blake Winiecki (50)+/-: Ben Masella (+37)SH: Winiecki (176)Goals-against average: Cam Johnson (2.37)Save percentage: Johnson (.923)Wins: Ken Appleby (26)

UPCOMING PROMOTIONSHump Day Deals (March 4) — It’s the final Hump Day game of the regular season! Celebrate Hump Day with $2 beer, wine and hot dogs and $4 New Amsterdam vodka drinks all night courtesy of Bud Light, Barefoot Wine, and John Morrell.

What If, Conservation & Lee Co. Schools Night (March 7) — The 'Blades connect to their Florida roots with What If & Conservation Night presented by Africa 6000 International, as they become the Florida Skunk Apes for one game. The ‘Blades will sport special Skunk Apes-inspired jerseys that will be auctioned off postgame on a night saluting conservation efforts in SWFL. It’s also Lee Co. Schools Night presented by Achieva Credit Union!

EVERBLADES 2019-20 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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2020 KELLY CUP PLAYOFF PACKAGESThe 'Blades are headed to the postseason for the 21st time in their 22 seasons, and packages for the 2020 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale! For more information on Everblades Playoff Packages, click HERE.

BLADES 365 MEMBERSHIPS Blades 365 Memberships are now on sale for the 2020-21 season! Get great seat locations, big savings and exclusive year-round experiences with a Blades 365 Membership!

Purchase a new Blades 365 Membership for the 2020-21 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades tote bag! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

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