ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades earned three out of four possible points in a pair of home games against division rivals, the South Carolina Stingrays.   This gives Florida a total of eight points (3-1-0-2) and puts them in first place in their division.
THURSDAY 10/25/12 – With tight play most of the night, this game went past regulation and overtime and into the shootout.   It took five rounds before South Carolina’s Daniel Koger scored to give the Stingrays the extra point.
Florida opened the scoring at the end of the first period.   Rookie Corey Trivino posted the first goal of the game and the first of his professional career.   The Stingrays quickly matched them less than a minute into the second period as Matt Pistilli found the back of Blades goaltender John Muse’s net.   Blades Tommi Kivisto scored his first goal of the season lifting the Blades to a 2-1 lead.
The Rays tied the game at two when Muse chased the puck and left an open net opportunity that Tyler McNeely capitalized on.   Each team added another goal, bringing the score to a 4-4 tie at the end of the third.   Regulation ended without a goal and headed into a shootout.
While the Blades earned a point, the Stingrays earned two and the win in the 5-4 overtime win over Florida.                                                            
FRIDAY 10/26/12 – Friday nights game was more action packed, especially in the first and third period.   South Carolina opened up a temporary lead as they scored the first two.   Tommy Cross scored on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity.   Shortly thereafter Tyler McNeely added a goal to give the Stingrays a two goal lead.  
The Blades called a time-out and appeared to be re-energized.   They added a pair of their own by Mathieu Roy and Corey Trivino to tie the game at two at the end of the first period.
The Blades took a temporary lead with an impressive short-handed goal by Justin Shugg.   The Blades thought they would take the lead to the break, but with just 1.6 seconds left on the clock, Tommy Cross added his second goal.   At the end of two, the teams were again tied, this time at three each.
The teams each added another goal to tie at four apiece until late in the period.   Another post regulation game seemed likely.   However, the Blades once again got charged up and added goals five and six of the evening, courtesy of Aaron Bogosian and Matt Marquardt.  
Florida took the two points, while the Rays went to the locker room pointless for the night, with a final 6-4 score for the game in regulation.
The Blades play next on Saturday night (10/27) at Germain Arena and host the Greenville Road Warriors.
Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com

ESTERO, Fla. -The Florida Everblades demonstrated why they became the Kelly Cup Champs as they swept the season opening weekend. Their opponent, the Orlando Solar Bears, did manage to squeak out a single point on Friday, as their late game rally lead to a regulation tie.
 
The Blades played the Bears for a second straight weekend. The previous games netted the same result with the Blades taking both games at home.
 
The Everblades started their 15th Anniversary season with a bang, literally. The team excited the packed home crowd with a pregame banner raising ceremony for their 2012 EHCL Kelly Cup Championship win. The sparks flew and the firecracker booms were loud enough to get everyone in the stands ready for the new season.
Orlando opened its first season in the ECHL this weekend. The team was resurrected in 2012 after the IHL folded. The Solar Bears won the Turner Cup during their last season.
 
The addition of Orlando means that the Blades now have an in-state rival again. The two teams will play in 16 regular season games, adding to the excitement of the local fans.
 
The Blades looked great this weekend, no doubt due to the fact that 13 players were members of last year’s championship team. Matt Becca (last season’s leading scorer with 60 points) and David Rutherford (leading goal scorer with 25 goals) returned after signing AHL contracts with Charlotte of the AHL this summer.
 
Also returning are the stellar goal tending duo of John Muse and Pat Nagle. Muse was named the MVP of the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs. Florida’s winning coach, Greg Poss, returns for his third season with the Blades.
 
The players were very excited to return to Germain Arena and showed they were ready to pick up where they left off. The Blades had two previous trips to the Kelly Cup Finals; in 2004 against the Idaho Steelheads and in 2005 versus the Trenton Titans. This third trip was the charm that won them the coveted cup.
 
FRIDAY 10/12/12 – (Florida: 5 / Orlando: 4 – overtime) – The Blades started this game strong and outplayed the Bears until the third period. The Bears took over the game and turned a 4-0 deficit into a 4-4 tie. Orlando’s Nick Peterson was credited with scoring the first goal in the Solar Bear’s ECHL history and scored it against MVP, Muse.
 
The Bears gained momentum after their first goal and took over the rest of the game. They scored the tying goal with just 31 seconds remaining in regulation. The Blades pulled together after the buzzer and ended the game just 26 seconds into overtime with a goal by David Rutherford.
 
SATURDAY 10/13/12 – (Florida: 4 / Orlando: 2) – The Blades scored early to set the tone of the game, just three minutes in. While the Bears did not give up, the Blades were in command of this game. With just over a minute left in the game, down by one goal, and on the power play, Orlando pulled their goaltender to create a 6-on-4 advantage. The Blades took advantage of the open net and sealed the win with an empty netter.
 
The teams meet again on Friday, October 19th, at Germain Arena. At that time, the Blades will retire the number nine jersey of fan favorite Ernie Hartlieb.
Contact the writer & photographer at:
sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

ESTERO, Fla – The Florida Everblades have some exciting announcements for the upcoming 2012-2013 season.
 
Florida Everblades Coach, Greg Poss, is returning to lead the Blades into the 2012-2013 hockey season.   Poss was the bench boss for the Blades as they captured the 2012 Kelly Cup as Champions of the EHCL.   Prior to joining the Blades organization, Poss was the Assistant Coach for the Ontario Reign of the EHCL.
 
The Everblades confirmed their continuing relationship with the Tampa Bay Lightening of the NHL.   This will include affiliation with Tampa’s new AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
 
On July 2^nd, the team announced they had issued qualifying offers to seven players for the 2012-2013 season.   Those players are: Matt Marquardt (F – also classified as a veteran); Brandon MacLean (F); Trevor Bruess (F); Luc Tardif (F); Leigh Salters (F); David Fischer (D); and Mike Ratchuk (D).
 
Players who had already signed a contract prior to the qualifying offers are not included above.   Each team is entitled to reserve the rights of up to a maximum of eight “qualified” players.   There are restrictions regarding number of veterans and number of games played. A qualifying offer remains open until August 1^st.  
 
The Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades will open up their 15^th season at home in Estero at Germain Arena on October 13^th.   They will host new ECHL entrants, the Orlando Solar Bears.
 
Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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ESTERO, Fla – The Florida Everblades have advanced to the EHCL Kelly Cup Finals.   They posted a 3-1 win on Saturday night defeating the Kalamazoo Wings, in Germain Arena (Estero, FL), with a packed house of excited fans cheering them on.   After the game was finalized, the rafters were alive with the song “Viva Las Vegas”, signifying the Blades moving on to the finals against the Las Vegas Wranglers.
 
The Blades won in game 5 of the Conference Finals, winning the series overall: 4-games-to-1.   This is the third time the Blades have won the Eastern Conference since their inception in the 1998-1999 season.   Their evening was significant also for the presentation of the Bud Gingher Trophy as the Eastern Conference Champions.
 
“A great team win…we really shut them down…guys wanted to win so bad,” were comments from Everblades coach, Greg Poss.
 
Captain Mathieu Roy said, “I’ve been here four years now and it’s an unbelievable feeling I have now…and it’s not done yet.”
 
The Florida Everblades will be making their third trip to the Kelly Cup Finals.   Previous attempts were in 2003-2004, where they lost to the Idaho Steelheads and again in 2004-2005 where they lost to the Trenton Titans.
 
The Las Vegas Wranglers last made their trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2007-2008 where they lost to the Cincinnati Cyclones.
 
The Blades have been hotter than a firecracker since February 15^th, 2012.   Since that time they are 18-1-0-1 at Germain Arena.   The two previous games this past week, in the Conference Finals, where they defeated the Kalamazoo Wings, the Blades scored 7 goals in back-to-back games.  
 
Looking at the EHCL Playoffs stats, you will see that the top four goaltenders are Pat Nagle and John Muse (Florida) and Joe Fallon and Mitch O’Keefe (Las Vegas).   The same results hold true for top scorers, goals scored and assists scored.   These are two very talented teams loaded with talent and determination.   Both teams have been so very close to victory they could taste it.   Both want it so bad they will fight to the finish to be the victors.
 
The battle will begin in Las Vegas, Nevada at Orleans Arena on May 14^th.  
 
This year the Florida fans are not asking, “Is this the year?” They are making the statement loud and clear. “This is our year!”
 
Contact the writer at: sweatherhead@prohockeynews.com

ESTERO, Flor. – The Florida Everblades are heading to the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2007.
In round one, Florida swept the Greenville Road Warriors in three straight games (first round was best of five).
Game #1     (4/2) Florida-5 / Greenville-2
Game #2      (4/4) Florida-4 / Greenville-2
Game #3       (4/6) Florida-3 / Greenville-2
In round two, Florida took the series from the Jackals in five games (second round was best of seven).
Game #1       (4/13)    Elmira-3 / Florida-1
Game #2       (4/14)    Florida 5 / Elmira-0
Game #3        (4/16)    Florida-5 / Elmira-4 (OT)
Game #4       (4/18)     Florida-2 / Elmira-0
Game #5       (4/20)     Florida-2 / Elmira-1
Florida will face the Kalamazoo Wings, following their defeat of the South Carolina Stingrays in five games.  
The Everblades have made it to the Kelly Cup Finals of the ECHL twice before.   First in the 2003-2004 season, where they lost to the Idaho Steelheads.   Most recently in the 2004-2005 season, when they lost to the Trenton Titans.
The Blades have played in the post-season every year since their inception in the 1998-1999 season.
Contact the writer at: sweatherhead@prohockeynews.com
 
 

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades ended their last regular season weekend in fine style.   Outscoring fierce division rivals, the Gwinnett Gladiators, by total goals scored of 10-5, gave them a pair of well-earned victories. Not to mention, a very important four points. The Bladed clinched the 5^th seed in their conference and will face the Greenville Road Warriors in the first round of playoffs.   This is the Florida’s fourteenth consecutive post season of play.   They have never missed the playoffs since their inception in the 1998-1999 season.
 
  The Blades and Warriors will meet on Monday April 2^nd and Wed April 4^th at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida.   As this initial format is a “2-3” series, the next three games will be played in Greenville (as needed).
 
An interesting note to add is that the Florida Everblades played their 1000^th game on Saturday March 24^th – pretty impressive for a Florida team.
 
Florida played a solid pair this weekend, demonstrating that they are capable and hungry enough to be successful in the post season.   Their defeat of the Gladiators pushed Gwinnett into the second seed position.
 
Friday’s game (3/30/12) – Florida defeated the Gladiators in a very fierce and physical battle to their victory.   The final score was: Florida-5 / Gwinnett-3.   Blades who posted a goal were: Cedric McNicoll, Brayden Irwin (2 goals), Matt Marquardt and Matt Becca.   John Muse looked sharp tonight and stopped 30 of 33 shots on goal.
 
Saturday’s game (3/31/12)   – Florida defeated the Gladiators with smart play and good communication on the ice.   They looked like a team tonight, with improved passing, skating and good communication between players.   The final score was: Florida-5 / Gwinnett-2.  
 
The Blades who lit up the goal light were: Leigh Salters, Matt Marquardt, David Rutherford, Brayden Irwin and Mike Ratchuk.   Tonight Pat Nagle looked sharp too, stopping 35 of a whopping 37 shots on goal.
 
The Blades look ready for the post season.   Players to watch are: (F) Brayden Irwin (30 pts/36 games); (F) Matt Becca (60 pts/61 games); Scott Pitt (57 pts/62 games); Cedric McNicoll (31 pts/31games); and David Rutherford (54 pts/56 games).   Don’t forget defenseman David Fisher, who is a great two-way player (58 pts/64 games).
 
The Blades will host the Greenville Road Warriors on Monday April 2^nd at Germain Arena in the first game of the post season.
 
Is this finally Florida’s year?
 
Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com