In another important match-up, the Gwinnett Gladiators shutout the Charlotte Checkers 3-0 to squeak into the playoffs, continuing their run of not missing out on post-season play. Their opponents, the Brabham Cup-winning Florida Everblades, will be a force to be reckoned with.
THE MATCH-UP
Florida and Gwinnett have been long-time division rivals. While this is not the hard-driving, gritty Gladiators team of the past, they are not to be taken lightly. Gwinnett has been somewhat sluggish=2 0in their play this season leading to their do-or-die last game of the season. The last few weeks they have played stronger, and with passion and energy as they saw their chances dwindle as the days passed them by. After a 72-game regular season they let it come down to one all-important game. They pulled out all the stops. Goalie Joe Fallon shut down the Charlotte Checkers and earned his second shutout of the season. The Gladiators now have the momentum to play desperate playoff-level hockey.
Florida has played well for most of their season, having the second-best statistical season in team history. Their best season was 1999-00 when they won their first Brabham Cup with an impressive record of 53-15-2 (108 points).
OFFENSE
Florida’s offense is going to be hard to beat. They are high powered with leaders in veterans Kevin Baker, Peter Metcalf and Ernie Hartleib. They aggressively attack the offensive zone and pepper the net with plenty of shots on goal. Florida averages almost 40 shots per game while allowing the opposition only an average of 28. Missing from Gwinnett’s attack this year are hired guns from AHL affiliations. That arrangement often helped the Gladiators during the regular season, but those players were usually unavailable for the playoffs. Gwinnett’s offense is one that does not lean on one or two players, although Jordan Fox had a nice point-per-game year. The team will count on Fox and Pat Bateman for goals and A dam Berti and Dirk Southern for play-making.
DEFENSE
While Florida’s defense is over shadowed by the high powered offense, the unit has been much improved over the course of the season. Brad Zanon is a strong force on blocked shots and checks. Doug O’Brien is a strong force on the penalty kill. Like the forward lines there are few starts on the roster. Jeff Mason, Jean-Claude Sawyer, Scott Marchesi, Brennan Turner and Mike Looby saw action for the club during the year.
GOALTENDING
Florida’s strong tandem team of David Leggio and Anton Khudobin have been a major reason for the Blades success this season. Khudobin original job was to start due to an injury for a few weeks when he was called up to the Houston Aeros of the AHL (American Hockey League). Now, it looks like he may not be back to spell Leggio in the playoffs. The load has been heavy for Leggio, a rookie, but he has handled the task admirably. He has been assisted by another rookie, Kyle Gajewski who has appeared in a few games but his status on the playoff roster is still undecided. Leggio played last season at Clarkson University with a record of 22-12-4, a 2.20 GAA, and a .920 save percentage. He finished the regular season as the leading goaltender in the ECHL with a record of 27-7-3, a 2.26 GAA (goals against average), and a 916 save percentage.
Joe Fallon, Gwinnett’s rookie, played a solid season at University of Vermont last year with a 15-13 record, a 2.38 GAA, and a .915 save percentage. He finished the regular season with Gwinnett with a record of 18-14-1-1, a 2.98 GAA, .904 save percentage.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Florida’s power play specialists are Kevin Baker and Peter Metcalf.
Florida’s record: 3rd overall, 1st on the road, 6th at home.
Gwinnett’s record: 14th overall, 21st on the road, 10th at home.
Florida’s penalty kill warriors are Ryan Lang, Doug O’Brien, and Colin Nicholson. Florida’s record: 2nd overall, 1st on the road, 8th at home.
Gwinnett’s record: 13th overall, 21st on the road, 4th at home.
COACHING
Florida’s Malcolm Cameron led the Texas Wildcatters to the first place finish in the South Division last season with a record of 52-9-0-4 (115 points). He is a proven, experienced leader in the ECHL. The addition of John Marks as the playoff assistant coach will give the Blades a wealth of experience in their locker room. While Cameron is very demanding and no-nonsense, Marks is more low-key and will balance the team nicely. Marks has coached a number of ECHL teams, such as: Greenville, Charlotte, Pensacola, and Augusta (where he started the sea son prior to the team ceasing operations). Jeff Pyle has had a strong career in Gwinnett. Usually his teams are weaker due to call-ups during the season. This year is a little different as the team will be able to play with the roster they have held for most of the campaign. Florida Everblades Point Leaders
Kevin Baker: 1st in points (102), 1st in power play goals (27), 1st in power play points (48), 1st in SOG’s (337), 1st in game winning goals (10)1st in goals (57). Peter Metcalf: 2nd in power play assists (30), 3rd in power play points (37), 3rd in assists (50).
Gwinnett Gladiators Point Leaders
Jordan Fox: 12th in points (67), 2nd in short handed goals (5), 2nd in short handed points (7).
KELLY CUP RUN RECORDS
Florida has made two Kelly Cup Finals. In the 2003-04 season they lost to the Idaho Steelheads, and in 2004-05 they lost to the Trenton Titans.
Gwinnett has made one Kelly Cup Final. In 2005-06 they lost to the Alaska Aces.
PREDICTION
While Gwinnett will give Florida a strong run. It will be an interesting series, but Florida will easily win the first round in five games. Coach Cameron was hoping to play Gwinnett in the first round for travel purposes since they are closer to home than Mississippi is. Florida was 10-4 against Gwinnett this season.
Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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