ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades returned home happy with their successful road trip around the ECHL. Their 17 day, 3,617 mile run netted them 15 solid points as the Blades posted a record of 7-1-1. The team has made more than 30 player transactions since the season began, overcoming callups and the ever present injuries. Despite the constant reshuffling, the Blades are ranked first overall on the power play and second overall on the penalty kill. This season’s Blade team has won more games in the first 20 game block than the Brabham Cup winning team of 1999-00. (The Brabham Cup, similar to the President’s Cup in the NHL, is awarded at the end of the season to the team with the most points in the overall league standings). ———————————————————————– South Carolina Stingrays win over the Florida Everblades 3-0 The Stingrays dominated from start to finish . The Blades could not match their discipline and intensity on the ice as the Rays came prepared to play and didn’t look back. Florida struggled the entire game with excessive turnovers and poor special teams. This was the first time the Blades got beat convincingly at home all season. Rarely does the team that poorly at home but this time the fans booed the team. Many were so disappointed they left the game early in the third period. What made matters worse for the Blades was the fact that South Carolina was undermanned playing with only had 15 skaters. However, the Stingrays were able to shut down Florida’s league leading offense. Rays goals were scored by: Keith Johnson, Nate Kiser and Pierre-Luc O’Brien. Winning goalie: Bobby Goepfert (31 saves, 2nd shutout) Losing goalie: Anton Khudobin (10-2-1, first loss since October 18th) Power Play: Florida 0 for 6; South Carolina 2 for 4 3 Stars of the game: Bobby Goepfert (1st), Travis Morin (2nd), Keith Johnson (3rd) ———————————————————————– South Carolina Stingrays win over the Florida Everblades 7-3 Saturday’s game may have shown Florida had at least some offense, but it was again a very ugly game. This was Florida’s second straight loss to South Carolina, and South Carolina’s fourth straight road win. The last straw to this forgettable attempt by the Blades was that they were playing against South Carolina’s emergency backup goalie, and with only 13 skaters. South Carolina swept the two game series by a combined score of 10-3. The fans booed even louder after the unexpected performance of the Blades in two straight games. This time some fans left as early as the second period when they saw the game get out of hand again with no relief in sight. The Rays lost both of their regular goalies to AHL callups and utilized the talents of emergency backup Ian Vigier from the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League), an “A” level hockey league. South Carolina scored the first three goals of the game for the second night in a row and never looked back. The star of the evening was Travis Morin of the Rays who scored four goals. The Stingrays also received goals from Matt Scherer, Paul Kelly and Pierre-Luc O’Brien. While the Blades did manage to score three goals, two by Ernie Hartlieb, and one by Kevin Baker, the team effort once again was absent. Saturday nights game was the Blades annual “Teddy Bear Toss” where fans bring stuffed toys for the children’s hospital. It is an annual holiday celebration where the toys are thrown onto the ice when the Blades score their first goal of the night. Hartlieb scored the first goal that sent about 6,000 toys onto the ice. David Leggio started in goal for Florida, but was replaced by Anton Khudobin, only to return later in the game. Winning goalie: Ian Vigier Losing goalie: Anton Khudobin Power Play: Florida 3 for 5; South Carolina 3 for 6 3 Stars of the game: Travis Morin (SC – 1st), Brad Farynuk (SC – 2nd), Ernie Hartlieb (FE – 3rd). NHL UPDATE: Brett Carson made his NHL debut on December 7, 2008 with the Carolina Hurricanes against the Washington Capitals). He is the 16th Everblades player to play in the NHL. Kenndal McArdle made his NHL Debut on December 2, 2008 with the Florida Panthers. PLAYER UPDATES: Patrick Bordeleau (Forward) obtained from the Augusta Lynx after the team recently ceased operations. Bordeleau is 6 foot 6 inches, and is a 4th round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2004. Ryan McGinnis (Defense) recalled to the Albany River Rats of the AHL. David Leggio (Goalie) returns from the Albany River Rats of the AHL. Leggio was gone for two weeks and played in one game, a 7-3 loss at Wilkes-Barre / Scranton. Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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