PREVIEW: 'Blades eye chance for sole possesion of ECHL lead on Thursday

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Florida Everblades (43-13-4-2, 92 pts.) start this season's final stretch of three games in three days with a Thursday night matchup against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-30-4-1, 61 pts.) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.   

VITALS:Game 63: Everblades at Greenville Swamp RabbitsWhen: 7:05 p.m. ETWhere: Bon Secours Wellness ArenaWatch: ECHL TVListen: WJBXSocial: Twitter | Instagram

Last time outGreenville's Brien Diffley scored his first goal of the season with less than 90 seconds left in the first period, but the Everblades notched the final four goals of the game, including three in the second period, to earn a 4-1 win on Saturday at Hertz Arena. Hunter Garlent led the 'Blades offense with his second three-point game (1g, 2a) of the season, and Ken Appleby posted 26 saves to win for the fifth straight time at home. RECAP

Series At A GlanceAfter the Everblades and Swamp Rabbits squared off eight times from Dec. 20 to Feb. 8, the two teams went nearly a month without seeing each other before Saturday's tilt. Thursday is the last of 11 regular season meetings between the teams and the fifth matchup in Greenville. The 'Blades hold an overall record of 61-33-15 (.628) against Greenville in 109 all-time matchups, including an 8-2-0-0 record this year. Florida has limited the Swamp Rabbits to two goals or less in six of the first 10 matchups this year. 

Players to WatchJustin Auger (FLA) -  The sixth-year pro has been a key piece of Florida's offense all season and leads the team with 26 goals. After playing in only 23 games last season due to AHL call-ups and injuries, Auger has seen action in 59 of the 62 games this year. He's had some of his best efforts against the Swamp Rabbits and paces Florida with six goals and nine points in head-to-head matchups with Greenville. 

Liam Pecararo (GVL) -  Though he was in the AHL for a month and a half from late December to mid-February, Pecararo still has some of the best offensive numbers in the league among rookies. The Canton, Massachusetts, native is fifth among rookies with 23 goals and is tied for seventh in points among rookies with 44. Pecararo has played in only three games against Florida and has four assists in those three contests. The Bounce BackSaturday's victory came on the heels of an overtime loss to the Jacksonville Icemen on Friday. The win against Greenville improved Florida's record to 4-0-0-0 in the game directly following an overtime setback. Dating back to last season, Florida is now 9-0-0-0 after an overtime loss. The 'Blades are 12-5-1-1 after a loss of any kind this season.  

Middle MenFlorida's three-goal second period on Saturday was yet another in a long line of three-goal frames at home this season. With that three-goal output in the middle frame against Greenville, Florida has now scored three or more times in the second period on 11 occasions at Hertz Arena this season. However, that trend has been largely confined to home ice. The 'Blades have scored three or more goals in the second period of a road game just once this year.

Powering UpSince starting the season with a 7.4% conversion rate on the power play through the first 26 games, the 'Blades have really turned the corner when it comes to producing on the man advantage. With a perfect 1-for-1 effort on Saturday, Florida is now 21-for-102 on the power play since Dec. 18, a conversion rate of 20.6%. 

Next UpThe Everblades continue the three-game week with a Friday night matchup against the Jacksonville Icemen at Veterans Memorial Arena. 

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