Everblades Top ECHL Leaderboard

ESTERO, FL – It’s hard to believe the hockey season is already half over with 38 of 76 games completed. However, it is not hard to believe that the Florida Everblades sit comfortably atop not only the American South Division, but lead the ECHL in wins and points.
Florida went into the All-Star break winning nine games in a row, with an impressive record of 28-8-2 (58 points). The Blades just returned from a blistering five-game, 6-day road trip. Some important milestones were achieved during the road trip such as setting a team record of 61 shots-on-goal during the 8-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers, and setting a team record with it’s seventh shutout of the season with a 4-0 win over the South Carolina Stingrays. Since we are at the halfway point in the season, we thought it would be a good time to give out some report cards. Here are some Mid-Season grades for the Florida Everblades. (All stats as of January 23, 2009) (g=goals, a=assists, lw=left wing, rw=right wing, f=forward, d=defensemen) Goaltenders:

A huge factor in the team’s success has been outstanding goaltending. All-Star David Leggio has a record of 11-3-1, with a 2.32 goals against average, a .921 save percentage, and a league leading 4 shutout wins, while teammate Anton Khudobin (12-5-1, 2.64 goals against average, .913 save percentage, and 3 shut-out wins) have provided the Blades with a strong netminding tandem reminiscent of Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood of the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. Grades: Leggio (A) and Khudobin (A) Offense: The Blades have depth offensively as well as defensively. Although there are many notable players, such as (LW) Ryan Lang (13 g, 22 a, in 38 games), (F) Mark Lee (6g, 16a, 21 games), and (F) Danick Bouchard (15g, 10a, in 32 games), two offensive players stand out above the rest. Veteran and long time Everblade, Ernie Hartlieb, is having a great season with 12g, 18a in 38 games. Hartlieb has been the hardest working player on the ice this season. Hartlieb has been sluggish in previous seasons, but has enjoyed much team and personal success working with Head Coach Kevin Baker. Hartileib is a versatile two-way player, adapting to play defense as needed. Baker played for former Head Coach Malcolm Cameron last season with the Texas Wildcatters. Cameron was happy to recruit Baker on his Florida team and has proven to be a true leader. Baker has recorded 30g, 22a, in 37 games and leads the league in the following statistics: Points = 52 (2^nd overall), power play goals = 14 (1^st overall), power play points = 23 (1^st overall), shots-on-goal = 179 (2^nd overall) and goals = 30 (2^nd overall). Grades: Baker (A), Hartlieb (A), Roy (A), Lang (A), Lee (A), Nicholson (B), Auffrey (B), Brocklehurst (B), Carlson (B), Bouchard (B), Bordeleau (C), and Fournier (C). Defense: Although the Blades defense has improved in skill and depth, it still needs stronger leadership. Veteran Peter Metcalf, who had an excellent run with the Alaska Aces, is a strong player and a great example for the younger players to emulate. Metcalf is a defensive leader in the following statistics: points = 32 (2^nd), power play assists = 14 (4^th), and total assists = 28 (1^st). Grades: Metcalf (A), Zanon (B), Grenzy (B), O’Brien (B), Thelen (C), and McGinnis ©. Special Teams: The Blades as a team are ranked first overall on the power play (57 / 252 = 22.6%) and third overall on the penalty Kill (224/255 = 87.8%). Grade: A Fans: Florida’s Germain Arena has had several other names previously: Teco Arena and originally Everblades Arena. The Blades are in their 11^th season and have been consistently at the top of the attendance charts. Florida held onto the top honors for quite a few years. So far this season they sit solidly in third place in attendance behind the Stockton Thunder and the Bakersfield Condors with an average attendance of 5,726 (7181 capacity). Grade: A Team Management: Coach Cameron and President /General Manager Craig Brush have worked hard to give the Florida fans another team to be proud of and have given them another excellent chance at a solid run to the elusive Kelly Cup. Grade: A- Team notes: Three Everblades were part of the 2009 All-Star game in Reading,Pennsylvania played earlier this past week. All three contributed in the American Conference victory over the National Conference, 11-5. Captain Kevin Baker scored a hat trick in the third period notching goals at 1:50, 7:42, and 12:19. Baker had four points for the night. Aaron Brocklehurst added an assist. Goaltender David Leggio manned the nets during the second period stopping 10 of 11 shots, and earned the win for the American Team. Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com