Written by Gregg Kaye

WHO: Florida Skunk Apes vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits

WHERE: Hertz Arena (Estero, Fla.)

WHEN: Saturday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. 

BROADCAST: Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com. 

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ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Skunk Apes are back! Saturday night will see the Apes’ long-awaited return to The Swamp for the rubber game of a three-game series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits as the South Division rivals will lock horns for the final time at Hertz Arena this season.

Friday night, with the Skunk Apes sporting their usual Florida Everblades persona, Jesse Lansdell snapped a 2-2 deadlock with just over three minutes left in the game to close out the Blades’ eventual 4-2 win over the Swamp Rabbits. Three Everblades – Oliver Chau (2G), Colton Hargrove (1G, 1A) and Carson Gicewicz (2A) – collected two points apiece as Florida snapped a season-long three-game losing streak with the dramatic come-from-behind win.

Saturday night will be the rubber game of the three-game set with the Bunnies, a 3-0 victor on Wednesday. Both sides have claimed two wins in the teams’ previous four meetings this season, Following Saturday’s meeting, the rivals will play just one more time in the regular-season as they are slated to lock horns March 19 in Greenville. 

With the Skunk Apes getting back in the win column on Friday, Florida opened its lead in the South Division to eight points ahead of second place South Carolina. The Stingrays were idle on Friday. Jacksonville and Orlando sit one point behind South Carolina for the final two playoff spots in the division, while Greenville is in seventh place, three points behind Savannah and Atlanta, currently tied for fifth, 13 points out of the final playoff position.

Fans are invited to embrace the legend of the Florida Skunk Ape with a night of cryptid-themed fun chock full of themed activities and exclusive Skunk Ape jerseys that will be auctioned off on the Dash app. The fun night at The Swamp includes a pregame tailgate with live music and a poster giveaway for the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Wendy’s. Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

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Season ticket plans for the 2024-25 campaign are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2024-25 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits, and options click HERE. 

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more! Everblades put FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades' easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular-season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!

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Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM, or online at espnswfl.com. Stay up to date by following the Blades on social media with all the latest news, scores, and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.