Everblades

[nccanes]

I just realized that the PeeDee Pride are in Florence, SC.

If any wants to make back to back weekends of minor league hockey, the Everblades play in Florence on Sat 12/4 and Sunday 12/5. :lol:

What in the world else is in Florence? I'm surprised there's a team there at all!?

Anyway, it's probably closer to Charlotte to see ECHL hockey for some of us.

[nccanes]

I just realized that the PeeDee Pride are in Florence, SC.

If any wants to make back to back weekends of minor league hockey, the Everblades play in Florence on Sat 12/4 and Sunday 12/5. :lol:

What in the world else is in Florence? I'm surprised there's a team there at all!?

Anyway, it's probably closer to Charlotte to see ECHL hockey for some of us.

[NHLCanes]

My husband and I went to a game in Florence last year. The arena is very easy to get too - right off I-95. It only took us about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from Fayetteville to get there and they had some road construction in SC that slowed us down a bit. I'm going to try to take in one of those Everblade games this year if possible.

There were probably about 2000 people there when we went (on a Sunday afternoon). It's an okay arena, nothing special or fancy. They do have disco ball hanging over the ice, and they are not afraid to use it. So if anyone is craving the 70s or the return of disco, Florence is the place to be! :D

[NHLCanes]

My husband and I went to a game in Florence last year. The arena is very easy to get too - right off I-95. It only took us about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from Fayetteville to get there and they had some road construction in SC that slowed us down a bit. I'm going to try to take in one of those Everblade games this year if possible.

There were probably about 2000 people there when we went (on a Sunday afternoon). It's an okay arena, nothing special or fancy. They do have disco ball hanging over the ice, and they are not afraid to use it. So if anyone is craving the 70s or the return of disco, Florence is the place to be! :D

[Mona]

They do have disco ball hanging over the ice, and they are not afraid to use it.

That cracked me up!!!!!!!! I needed that today.. :D

[Mona]

They do have disco ball hanging over the ice, and they are not afraid to use it.

That cracked me up!!!!!!!! I needed that today.. :D

[nccanes]

Panthers Booster Club Travels To Estero
To See Florida Prospects With Wildcatters
October 13, 2004

By ANDY KENT
Naples Daily News

ESTERO, Fla. — Just in case the NHL owners were wondering how their fan base was planning to deal with the current lockout, the Florida Panthers booster club has come up with an answer.

Approximately 25 members have signed on to make the 110-mile trip across Alligator Alley one week from Saturday to watch an ECHL hockey game at Germain Arena. The Florida Everblades and the Texas Wildcatters will take the ice for the second of back-to-back games.

The Wildcatters are the Panthers' affiliate and are co-owned by Panthers backup goaltender Jamie McLennan. Like Florida with the Lowell (Mass.) Lock Monsters, Texas has a roster loaded with prospects assigned from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

"We're just trying to get our hockey fix," said Doug English, president of the Panthers booster club. "The fans are not in a lockout. The game is bigger than the players, so we'll go anywhere to see hockey. This trip is about getting to see our baby boys, the Wildcatters, and get a look at some of the up-and-coming prospects."

When the owners voted to lock out the players on Sept. 15 after not being able to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, it set in motion a diverse player exodus. Some of the younger guys who were not required to clear waivers were assigned to AHL clubs, which created a bit of a logjam that led to a trickle-down of quality prospects to the ECHL.

English had made quite a few trips across the Alley with the booster club in years past when the Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes played exhibition games.

He said he and the others were impressed with the building, and gradually extended the length of their trips to take advantage of the Miromar Outlet Mall and even take in some Everblades games.

"Once we get going and things last, I think we'll pick a once-a-month trip for us to come over during the season," English said.

"We had an ECHL team before with the Miami Matadors and then we had the WHA2 team (Miami Manatees) and we used to go to a lot of those games.

"The one thing I liked about the ECHL and the Manatees is you'd see these kids before they make it and are trying to move up, their attitudes are great. They relate to the fans so well. The pros, once they reach the high level, the access is less and less than in the minors."

Cheryl LaPalm, who was the booster club's president for two years before English and is now the secretary, coordinated the trip for the opening weekend with Everblades ticket manager Sammy Wallace. Once she was made aware by Wallace that Texas was a Panthers affiliate, LaPalm said she began to bill the trip as a Wildcatters trip.

In addition to talking with LaPalm, Wallace also touched base with the Tampa Bay Lightning booster club about making the drive south for games. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup last season, and Wallace said once it became obvious early in the summer that a lockout was imminent, he started thinking of ways to market the Everblades to NHL fans around the state.

"You're basically down to three teams playing hockey in the state of Florida — Pensacola in the ECHL and Jacksonville in the 8-team Southern Professional Hockey League," Wallace said.

"Both are pretty far away and the level of hockey in Jacksonville is unaffiliated, so it's not very high.

We're pretty much it, and I've already gotten four or five Panthers season ticket-holders to buy our Saturday mini-plan."

Wallace hopes to convert some of the Panthers fans to Everblades fans, and said he plans to invite some of the Panthers and Office Depot Center staff to come over for some games.

If English's past experiences are any indication, Wallace and the Everblades just might see more repeat business from the other coast, and maybe some ECHL converts.

"Every time we went back we enjoyed it more and more," English said of his previous trips to Estero. "We always did follow the Blades to see what's going on and spot names of prospects as well as older guys winding up their careers. I definitely think fans will get their fix elsewhere."

And that can't be music to the ears of NHL owners.

[nccanes]

Panthers Booster Club Travels To Estero
To See Florida Prospects With Wildcatters
October 13, 2004

By ANDY KENT
Naples Daily News

ESTERO, Fla. — Just in case the NHL owners were wondering how their fan base was planning to deal with the current lockout, the Florida Panthers booster club has come up with an answer.

Approximately 25 members have signed on to make the 110-mile trip across Alligator Alley one week from Saturday to watch an ECHL hockey game at Germain Arena. The Florida Everblades and the Texas Wildcatters will take the ice for the second of back-to-back games.

The Wildcatters are the Panthers' affiliate and are co-owned by Panthers backup goaltender Jamie McLennan. Like Florida with the Lowell (Mass.) Lock Monsters, Texas has a roster loaded with prospects assigned from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

"We're just trying to get our hockey fix," said Doug English, president of the Panthers booster club. "The fans are not in a lockout. The game is bigger than the players, so we'll go anywhere to see hockey. This trip is about getting to see our baby boys, the Wildcatters, and get a look at some of the up-and-coming prospects."

When the owners voted to lock out the players on Sept. 15 after not being able to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, it set in motion a diverse player exodus. Some of the younger guys who were not required to clear waivers were assigned to AHL clubs, which created a bit of a logjam that led to a trickle-down of quality prospects to the ECHL.

English had made quite a few trips across the Alley with the booster club in years past when the Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes played exhibition games.

He said he and the others were impressed with the building, and gradually extended the length of their trips to take advantage of the Miromar Outlet Mall and even take in some Everblades games.

"Once we get going and things last, I think we'll pick a once-a-month trip for us to come over during the season," English said.

"We had an ECHL team before with the Miami Matadors and then we had the WHA2 team (Miami Manatees) and we used to go to a lot of those games.

"The one thing I liked about the ECHL and the Manatees is you'd see these kids before they make it and are trying to move up, their attitudes are great. They relate to the fans so well. The pros, once they reach the high level, the access is less and less than in the minors."

Cheryl LaPalm, who was the booster club's president for two years before English and is now the secretary, coordinated the trip for the opening weekend with Everblades ticket manager Sammy Wallace. Once she was made aware by Wallace that Texas was a Panthers affiliate, LaPalm said she began to bill the trip as a Wildcatters trip.

In addition to talking with LaPalm, Wallace also touched base with the Tampa Bay Lightning booster club about making the drive south for games. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup last season, and Wallace said once it became obvious early in the summer that a lockout was imminent, he started thinking of ways to market the Everblades to NHL fans around the state.

"You're basically down to three teams playing hockey in the state of Florida — Pensacola in the ECHL and Jacksonville in the 8-team Southern Professional Hockey League," Wallace said.

"Both are pretty far away and the level of hockey in Jacksonville is unaffiliated, so it's not very high.

We're pretty much it, and I've already gotten four or five Panthers season ticket-holders to buy our Saturday mini-plan."

Wallace hopes to convert some of the Panthers fans to Everblades fans, and said he plans to invite some of the Panthers and Office Depot Center staff to come over for some games.

If English's past experiences are any indication, Wallace and the Everblades just might see more repeat business from the other coast, and maybe some ECHL converts.

"Every time we went back we enjoyed it more and more," English said of his previous trips to Estero. "We always did follow the Blades to see what's going on and spot names of prospects as well as older guys winding up their careers. I definitely think fans will get their fix elsewhere."

And that can't be music to the ears of NHL owners.

[Mona]

Our Wally is down there right now taking care of these guys! :) :spin:

[Mona]

Our Wally is down there right now taking care of these guys! :) :spin:

[nccanes]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

[nccanes]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

[Mona]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

[Mona]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

[Lady J]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

No shoes at all baybee! :)

[Lady J]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

No shoes at all baybee! :)

[Mona]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

No shoes at all baybee! :)

True beautiful! :kiss: ;)

[Mona]

How cool for the Everblades to get the Wally treatment! And I just know that Wally packed those man-slides for South Florida! :D ;)

What else would you wear on your feet in South Florida?? :D ;)

No shoes at all baybee! :)

True beautiful! :kiss: ;)

[puck_it]

good to see wally is busy

[puck_it]

good to see wally is busy

[nccanes]

ECHL paying attention to locked out NHL players
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
October 28, 2004

ESTERO — Even though the news broke four time zones away, the Florida Everblades still were very intrigued by the signing of a high-profile NHL player to an ECHL contract.

When the Alaska Aces signed hometown hero Scott Gomez on Monday, there was a buzz around every other ECHL dressing room and it made for interesting debate. Gomez, 24, has won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and was the 2000 NHL Rookie of the Year.

On one side of the debate, there are those who see the positive impact of this move and the financial windfall it will mean to the Aces and to the league as a whole. Alaska's home opener this Friday against the San Diego Gulls already is sold out and approximately 800 tickets remain for Saturday's game at the 6,251-seat Sullivan Arena.

The detractors are concerned about the young minor-league player who ultimately lost his spot on the roster to make room for Gomez, who turned down a hefty contract to play in Russia. Since the ECHL is considered a developmental league, some feel the message is lost.

"The flip side of that coin is here comes Scott Gomez, a native of Alaska, he wants to play and he's locked out," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said.

"He's going to sell tickets, he's going to make your team that much better and he's going to make the young players who are there that much better. I tell you what, if the opportunity presented itself I'd take an NHL player too with that kind of experience. If Martin St. Louis called me and said he wanted to play for $500 a week, I'd have to have rocks in my head not to."

In order to make the deal work, Gomez had to waive insurance liability, basically agreeing not to go after the team or the league for insurance coverage should he get injured while playing for the Aces. He also has a one-year contract with the Devils and would return to New Jersey if the lockout ends.

Some of the Everblades players also could see both sides of the issue, having lost their roster spots at the American Hockey Level before to NHLers on assignment or former NHLers trying to make a comeback.

"I can see it from (Gomez's) standpoint, wanting to be back home and playing in front of your friends and family. It's got to be exciting for him to do it," said Everblades forward Reggie Berg, who went to one NHL training camp with the Carolina Hurricanes a few years ago.

"Once you get the bug to play hockey, sitting around for those guys I can imagine must be killing them. If that's what he wants to do I think that's great. I don't think that's necessarily what I'd be doing, but that should give a boost to the league and attendance."

A few other players felt it was a raw deal for the player who lost that roster spot, especially since Gomez basically is doing it to stay in game shape should the lockout end anytime soon.

One other issue brought up was the risk Gomez might be taking considering he clearly will be a target out on the ice.

"Scott's a good player and I know it will help him," Gwinnett Gladiators head coach Jeff Pyle said. "But there are going to be some guys that are going to take some shots at him and he'll be surprised at the quality of play in this league."

A handful of other NHL players had considered signing with ECHL teams earlier in the month, but they also wanted some guarantee of insurance coverage. ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and the league's Board of Governors denied that request because of the potential losses the league could suffer on any claims.

WELCOME BACK, ERNIE: Everblades forward Ernie Hartlieb hadn't played in a game in more than two months when the season was about to get underway last weekend.

After making the drive south with his wife from Massachusetts, he was looking forward to experiencing the sellout crowd at Germain Arena for Florida's home opener.

His Everblades debut was delayed by a few days as he was called up to play for the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters a little more than 24 hours before the Blades' opener against Texas.

"I got here, got settled in and I was really excited to play in the home opener," Hartlieb said. "They were talking about raising the banner and I knew the fans here were crazy, especially opening night. I went out to the pool with my wife ad I got a phone call from Mr. Brush (team president/general manager Craig Brush) and he told me to pack my bags."

Hartlieb caught a late flight to Boston, arriving at his hotel at midnight, then had to be in Lowell for a 7 a.m. physical Friday morning. He missed the pregame skate and then hopped on the bus for Providence for the first game, a 4-2 loss to the Bruins. He headed to Portland for Saturday's game, which also ended in a loss, then flew back to Fort Myers on Sunday to rejoin the team.

On Tuesday night, Hartlieb made a nice debut by scoring a goal and adding an assist. His goal late in the second period to cut Gwinnett's deficit to 3-2 sparked Florida's come-from- behind, 4-3 win in a shootout.

AROUND THE ECHL: There were seven sellout around the league during the opening weekend, including Friday night's standing-room-only crowd of 7,211 at Germain Arena. An average crowd of 6,196 per game attended the 17 home openers, an increase of more than 14 percent from last season. ... The broadcasts of the Florida Everblades game on Friday against the Mississippi Sea Wolves will be available via the internet only. This is due to a schedule conflict with SportsRadio 770 AM. Fans can visit www.floridaeverblades.com, www.ABC-7.com and www.NBC-2.com to hear the "voice" of the Everblades, Kevin Reiter call all the play- by-play.

[nccanes]

ECHL paying attention to locked out NHL players
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
October 28, 2004

ESTERO — Even though the news broke four time zones away, the Florida Everblades still were very intrigued by the signing of a high-profile NHL player to an ECHL contract.

When the Alaska Aces signed hometown hero Scott Gomez on Monday, there was a buzz around every other ECHL dressing room and it made for interesting debate. Gomez, 24, has won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and was the 2000 NHL Rookie of the Year.

On one side of the debate, there are those who see the positive impact of this move and the financial windfall it will mean to the Aces and to the league as a whole. Alaska's home opener this Friday against the San Diego Gulls already is sold out and approximately 800 tickets remain for Saturday's game at the 6,251-seat Sullivan Arena.

The detractors are concerned about the young minor-league player who ultimately lost his spot on the roster to make room for Gomez, who turned down a hefty contract to play in Russia. Since the ECHL is considered a developmental league, some feel the message is lost.

"The flip side of that coin is here comes Scott Gomez, a native of Alaska, he wants to play and he's locked out," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said.

"He's going to sell tickets, he's going to make your team that much better and he's going to make the young players who are there that much better. I tell you what, if the opportunity presented itself I'd take an NHL player too with that kind of experience. If Martin St. Louis called me and said he wanted to play for $500 a week, I'd have to have rocks in my head not to."

In order to make the deal work, Gomez had to waive insurance liability, basically agreeing not to go after the team or the league for insurance coverage should he get injured while playing for the Aces. He also has a one-year contract with the Devils and would return to New Jersey if the lockout ends.

Some of the Everblades players also could see both sides of the issue, having lost their roster spots at the American Hockey Level before to NHLers on assignment or former NHLers trying to make a comeback.

"I can see it from (Gomez's) standpoint, wanting to be back home and playing in front of your friends and family. It's got to be exciting for him to do it," said Everblades forward Reggie Berg, who went to one NHL training camp with the Carolina Hurricanes a few years ago.

"Once you get the bug to play hockey, sitting around for those guys I can imagine must be killing them. If that's what he wants to do I think that's great. I don't think that's necessarily what I'd be doing, but that should give a boost to the league and attendance."

A few other players felt it was a raw deal for the player who lost that roster spot, especially since Gomez basically is doing it to stay in game shape should the lockout end anytime soon.

One other issue brought up was the risk Gomez might be taking considering he clearly will be a target out on the ice.

"Scott's a good player and I know it will help him," Gwinnett Gladiators head coach Jeff Pyle said. "But there are going to be some guys that are going to take some shots at him and he'll be surprised at the quality of play in this league."

A handful of other NHL players had considered signing with ECHL teams earlier in the month, but they also wanted some guarantee of insurance coverage. ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and the league's Board of Governors denied that request because of the potential losses the league could suffer on any claims.

WELCOME BACK, ERNIE: Everblades forward Ernie Hartlieb hadn't played in a game in more than two months when the season was about to get underway last weekend.

After making the drive south with his wife from Massachusetts, he was looking forward to experiencing the sellout crowd at Germain Arena for Florida's home opener.

His Everblades debut was delayed by a few days as he was called up to play for the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters a little more than 24 hours before the Blades' opener against Texas.

"I got here, got settled in and I was really excited to play in the home opener," Hartlieb said. "They were talking about raising the banner and I knew the fans here were crazy, especially opening night. I went out to the pool with my wife ad I got a phone call from Mr. Brush (team president/general manager Craig Brush) and he told me to pack my bags."

Hartlieb caught a late flight to Boston, arriving at his hotel at midnight, then had to be in Lowell for a 7 a.m. physical Friday morning. He missed the pregame skate and then hopped on the bus for Providence for the first game, a 4-2 loss to the Bruins. He headed to Portland for Saturday's game, which also ended in a loss, then flew back to Fort Myers on Sunday to rejoin the team.

On Tuesday night, Hartlieb made a nice debut by scoring a goal and adding an assist. His goal late in the second period to cut Gwinnett's deficit to 3-2 sparked Florida's come-from- behind, 4-3 win in a shootout.

AROUND THE ECHL: There were seven sellout around the league during the opening weekend, including Friday night's standing-room-only crowd of 7,211 at Germain Arena. An average crowd of 6,196 per game attended the 17 home openers, an increase of more than 14 percent from last season. ... The broadcasts of the Florida Everblades game on Friday against the Mississippi Sea Wolves will be available via the internet only. This is due to a schedule conflict with SportsRadio 770 AM. Fans can visit www.floridaeverblades.com, www.ABC-7.com and www.NBC-2.com to hear the "voice" of the Everblades, Kevin Reiter call all the play- by-play.

[nccanes]

Um - I think this is 6 goals in 4 games for Surma. What fun he must be having!!

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades (3-1-0) collected another two points in the South Division with a 6-3 victory over the Mississippi Sea Wolves (1-2-0) on Friday night at Germain Arena. Damian Surma led the way with a hat trick, and Florida peppered the Mississippi net with season-high 42 shots while managing six goals for the second time this season to wrap up their season opening four-game home stand. The Everblades opened the scoring just 1:26 into the contest when Brad Church slipped a shot between the pads of Sea Wolves netminder Jason Wolfe. The high-intensity game saw Mississippi tie the game midway through the first period on Jeff Hutchins’ first goal of the season. A wild start to the second period saw each team score in the first 37 seconds of the frame. The Sea Wolves tallied just 19 seconds into the period on Louis Dumont’s second goal of the year, but the ‘Blades came right back as Surma collected the first of his three on the night when he fired a shot between the legs of Wolfe. The game remained tied at two until late in the second period when Surma again notched a goal with a power play tally at 17:04. Surma completed his impressive night when he danced his way to the front of the net and slipped a shot into the back of the goal at 3:07 of the final stanza. The ‘Blades increased the lead to three goals and chased Wolfe to the bench in favor of Randy Hevey on Brian Sullivan’s second goal of the season at 5:58 of the third. The ‘Blades held a 5-2 lead until Mississippi drew to within two at 11:53 of the final period when Nicolas Corbeil connected on a breakaway, just sneaking one past ‘Blades netminder Craig Kowalski. Reggie Berg closed out the scoring with a power play tally at 13:45 of the third period. The goal was Berg’s second of the year. Kowalski was strong in goal for the Everblades stopping 29 of 31 Mississippi shots to earn his first professional victory. Wolfe took the loss allowing five goals on 26 shots, and Hevey turned away 15 of 16 Florida shots in the final 14 minutes of the contest. Florida finished 2-for-5 on the power play and the Sea Wolves closed out the night 1-for-4 on the man advantage. Florida travels to Pensacola on Saturday night, October 30 at 8:05 p.m. for the team’s first road game of the season. You can hear all of the Everblades action on SportsRadio 770 AM or via internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the “Voice of the Everblades” Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play. 3 Stars: 1 – Damian Surma - FLA 2 – David Lundbohm - FLA 3 – Craig Kowalski - FLA


Remember, the Everblades play in Florence vs. Pee Dee Pride the 1st weekend in Dec.

[nccanes]

Um - I think this is 6 goals in 4 games for Surma. What fun he must be having!!

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades (3-1-0) collected another two points in the South Division with a 6-3 victory over the Mississippi Sea Wolves (1-2-0) on Friday night at Germain Arena. Damian Surma led the way with a hat trick, and Florida peppered the Mississippi net with season-high 42 shots while managing six goals for the second time this season to wrap up their season opening four-game home stand. The Everblades opened the scoring just 1:26 into the contest when Brad Church slipped a shot between the pads of Sea Wolves netminder Jason Wolfe. The high-intensity game saw Mississippi tie the game midway through the first period on Jeff Hutchins’ first goal of the season. A wild start to the second period saw each team score in the first 37 seconds of the frame. The Sea Wolves tallied just 19 seconds into the period on Louis Dumont’s second goal of the year, but the ‘Blades came right back as Surma collected the first of his three on the night when he fired a shot between the legs of Wolfe. The game remained tied at two until late in the second period when Surma again notched a goal with a power play tally at 17:04. Surma completed his impressive night when he danced his way to the front of the net and slipped a shot into the back of the goal at 3:07 of the final stanza. The ‘Blades increased the lead to three goals and chased Wolfe to the bench in favor of Randy Hevey on Brian Sullivan’s second goal of the season at 5:58 of the third. The ‘Blades held a 5-2 lead until Mississippi drew to within two at 11:53 of the final period when Nicolas Corbeil connected on a breakaway, just sneaking one past ‘Blades netminder Craig Kowalski. Reggie Berg closed out the scoring with a power play tally at 13:45 of the third period. The goal was Berg’s second of the year. Kowalski was strong in goal for the Everblades stopping 29 of 31 Mississippi shots to earn his first professional victory. Wolfe took the loss allowing five goals on 26 shots, and Hevey turned away 15 of 16 Florida shots in the final 14 minutes of the contest. Florida finished 2-for-5 on the power play and the Sea Wolves closed out the night 1-for-4 on the man advantage. Florida travels to Pensacola on Saturday night, October 30 at 8:05 p.m. for the team’s first road game of the season. You can hear all of the Everblades action on SportsRadio 770 AM or via internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the “Voice of the Everblades” Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play. 3 Stars: 1 – Damian Surma - FLA 2 – David Lundbohm - FLA 3 – Craig Kowalski - FLA


Remember, the Everblades play in Florence vs. Pee Dee Pride the 1st weekend in Dec.

[nccanes]

Road Woes Don't Slow Down Mississippi
October 30, 2004

By Andy Kent
Naples Daily News

ESTERO, Fla. - Mississippi Sea Wolves forwards Anthony Battaglia and Jay Legault probably wished they had never come to Southwest Florida after the traveling fiasco they endured Thursday night.

The Sea Wolves were making good time on their drive from Biloxi, Miss., to Fort Myers until they hit the Tampa area. As they were cruising down Interstate 75 in their sleeper bus with their equipment in the attached trailer, the players began to smell smoke coming from the rear of the bus.

It wound up being two blown fan belts caused by a bearing that seized up.

"We were playing cards in the back of the bus and had one of the windows open because the air conditioning wasn't working," said Legault, who helped the Everblades reach the Kelly Cup Finals last season but signed with Mississippi in the offseason. "We thought what we smelled was coming from the tires because it was so hot out. By the time we yelled up to the front the bus driver had already gotten off and had his bag by the side of the road."

Head coach Bob Woods and the players and staff also got off the bus and waited for about an hour- and-a-half until a coach bus from Tampa arrived to take them the rest of the way.

The team made a stop in Port Charlotte for dinner and didn't arrive at their hotel in Fort Myers until almost 10:30 p.m.

Woods was able to laugh about it Friday morning as his team got ready for its morning skate at Germain Arena. Fortunately, the bus was fixed and made it to the arena in time for the equipment to be unloaded.

"We started the tour at 5:30 in the morning and got in after 10 at night, but hey, that's adversity," Woods said with a laugh. "You have to find out what your team is made of."

Battaglia, the younger brother of former Carolina Hurricanes forward Bates Battaglia, began his professional career with Florida in the 2002-03 season and was traded late in the season. He spent all of last year with the Sea Wolves.

He and Legault both received a round of applause when they were introduced in the starting lineup, and Battaglia said before the game he would be a bit surprised if people remembered him. But he did see some of his replica jerseys in the stands on his last visit.

"It's always good to come down here with the weather and the sun and everything," Battaglia said. "It's always a pretty good atmosphere here to play in front of the fans."

[nccanes]

Road Woes Don't Slow Down Mississippi
October 30, 2004

By Andy Kent
Naples Daily News

ESTERO, Fla. - Mississippi Sea Wolves forwards Anthony Battaglia and Jay Legault probably wished they had never come to Southwest Florida after the traveling fiasco they endured Thursday night.

The Sea Wolves were making good time on their drive from Biloxi, Miss., to Fort Myers until they hit the Tampa area. As they were cruising down Interstate 75 in their sleeper bus with their equipment in the attached trailer, the players began to smell smoke coming from the rear of the bus.

It wound up being two blown fan belts caused by a bearing that seized up.

"We were playing cards in the back of the bus and had one of the windows open because the air conditioning wasn't working," said Legault, who helped the Everblades reach the Kelly Cup Finals last season but signed with Mississippi in the offseason. "We thought what we smelled was coming from the tires because it was so hot out. By the time we yelled up to the front the bus driver had already gotten off and had his bag by the side of the road."

Head coach Bob Woods and the players and staff also got off the bus and waited for about an hour- and-a-half until a coach bus from Tampa arrived to take them the rest of the way.

The team made a stop in Port Charlotte for dinner and didn't arrive at their hotel in Fort Myers until almost 10:30 p.m.

Woods was able to laugh about it Friday morning as his team got ready for its morning skate at Germain Arena. Fortunately, the bus was fixed and made it to the arena in time for the equipment to be unloaded.

"We started the tour at 5:30 in the morning and got in after 10 at night, but hey, that's adversity," Woods said with a laugh. "You have to find out what your team is made of."

Battaglia, the younger brother of former Carolina Hurricanes forward Bates Battaglia, began his professional career with Florida in the 2002-03 season and was traded late in the season. He spent all of last year with the Sea Wolves.

He and Legault both received a round of applause when they were introduced in the starting lineup, and Battaglia said before the game he would be a bit surprised if people remembered him. But he did see some of his replica jerseys in the stands on his last visit.

"It's always good to come down here with the weather and the sun and everything," Battaglia said. "It's always a pretty good atmosphere here to play in front of the fans."

[nccanes]

Everblades exact a little payback tonight to the Idaho Steelheads who beat them for the Kelly Cup Championship.

'Blades won 4-2 and Surma notched another goal and assist.


Surma 9games 8goals 6assists 14points

[Shell]

Everblades McDonald Named Player of the Week

December 7, 2004 - ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades center Brent McDonald was named the In Glas Co. ECHL Player of the Week for the week of November 29 – December 5, it was announced by the league today.
McDonald returned to the Florida lineup after missing six games with an injury to post six points (5g, 1a) in three games this past week. The 25-year-old began the week picking up an assist on the game-winning goal on Dec. 3 at South Carolina. McDonald then collected a hat trick, the third for the Everblades this season, the next night at Pee Dee, helping the Everblades to a 5-1 win. The Olds, Alberta native followed that performance up with a pair of goals on Dec. 5, also against the Pee Dee Pride. In both games against Pee Dee, McDonald notched the game-winning goal.

Overall this season, the former ninth round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes has collected 11 points (6g, 5a) in 14 games. McDonald, who has scored 131 points in 109 total games as an Everblade in his career, joins Damian Surma as an ECHL Player of the Week award winner this season.

The Everblades return to Germain Arena for a pair of game against the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday and Saturday night’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night is the Everblades annual Teddy Bear Toss, which benefit less-fortunate children in the Southwest Florida area. Fans are asked to bring a plush toy to the game and toss it onto the ice after the ‘Blades score their first goal. Tickets are available for both Friday and Saturday night. Call (239) 948-7825 for more information. You can hear all of the Everblades action on SportsRadio 770 AM or via internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the “Voice of the Everblades” Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.

[Shell]

Everblades McDonald Named Player of the Week

December 7, 2004 - ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades center Brent McDonald was named the In Glas Co. ECHL Player of the Week for the week of November 29 – December 5, it was announced by the league today.
McDonald returned to the Florida lineup after missing six games with an injury to post six points (5g, 1a) in three games this past week. The 25-year-old began the week picking up an assist on the game-winning goal on Dec. 3 at South Carolina. McDonald then collected a hat trick, the third for the Everblades this season, the next night at Pee Dee, helping the Everblades to a 5-1 win. The Olds, Alberta native followed that performance up with a pair of goals on Dec. 5, also against the Pee Dee Pride. In both games against Pee Dee, McDonald notched the game-winning goal.

Overall this season, the former ninth round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes has collected 11 points (6g, 5a) in 14 games. McDonald, who has scored 131 points in 109 total games as an Everblade in his career, joins Damian Surma as an ECHL Player of the Week award winner this season.

The Everblades return to Germain Arena for a pair of game against the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday and Saturday night’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night is the Everblades annual Teddy Bear Toss, which benefit less-fortunate children in the Southwest Florida area. Fans are asked to bring a plush toy to the game and toss it onto the ice after the ‘Blades score their first goal. Tickets are available for both Friday and Saturday night. Call (239) 948-7825 for more information. You can hear all of the Everblades action on SportsRadio 770 AM or via internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the “Voice of the Everblades” Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.

[nccanes]

The Everblades won another one last night - I guess that's 6 in a row (or 7?) - beating another hot team and causing their first home loss.

Kowalski (goalie) got an assist! Here's a Q&A with him asking about his first year out of college hockey, etc.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7412&mode=threaded&order=0

They also signed former Predator Shane Hnidy.

[nccanes]

The Everblades won another one last night - I guess that's 6 in a row (or 7?) - beating another hot team and causing their first home loss.

Kowalski (goalie) got an assist! Here's a Q&A with him asking about his first year out of college hockey, etc.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7412&mode=threaded&order=0

They also signed former Predator Shane Hnidy.

[NHLCanes]

Blades win game of league's hottest teams

By Special to The News-Press
Published by news-press.com on December 8, 2004

DULUTH, Ga. — Florida Everblades coach Gerry Fleming had no trouble pinpointing the reason for his team's recent success. The Everblades goalies were outplaying their counterparts.

That trend continued Tuesday when Florida beat Gwinnett 5-2 to extend its season-high winning streak to six games. The loss snapped the Gladiators' own six-game winning streak and brought Florida within two points of Gwinnett's division lead.

It was the fourth game in five days for Gwinnett (11-4-4, 26 points) and the Gladiators first regulation loss at home. Florida (12-9-0, 24 points) returns home conquering heroes after sweeping a four-game road trip through Georgia and South Carolina.

Everblades goalie Craig Kowalski stopped 46 of 48 shots en route to his fifth consecutive win.

"Kowalski played outstanding," Fleming said. "Guys competed (on this road trip), they worked hard, we got great goaltending and we got timely goals.

"But, you know, we still have a lot of work to do."

Matt Hendricks scored twice in the first period — including 1:51 into the game — and gave Florida a 2-0 lead to work with after 20 minutes.

The deadliest blow was most certainly Florida's third goal, 6:02 into the second period. It gave the Everblades a 3-0 lead, but so much more importantly, it was on the power play.

Brad Church's tally was the first time in eight games Florida scored with the man advantage. So woeful was the Blades' power play that one player joked they should start declining the penalties.

Church's goal broke a 0-for-22 string on the power play and came against the league's third best penalty-kill unit.

"Tonight was a test for us," Fleming said. "Definitely Gwinnett's in the top three, four teams and we wanted to see where we stack up against them.

"In the third period, they really came out hard at us and, like I said, Craig gave us the big saves when we needed him."

NOTES

Blades C Brent McDonald was named the ECHL Player of the Week for November 29-December 5. After missing six games with a groin injury, McDonald registered five goals and an assist in three games. Two of the goals were game-winners. He tallied a hat trick in a 5-1 win at Pee Dee on Saturday. McDonald has scored 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 14 games through Monday.

Florida 2 2 1 — 5

Gwinnett 0 1 1 — 2

First period — 1, Florida, Hendricks 10 (Lundbohm, Church), 1:51. 2, Florida, Hendricks 11 (Hnidy, Church), 8:40. Second period — 3, Florida, Church 7 (Saviano, Lee), pp, 6:02. 4, Gwinnett, Vigilante 10 (Flache, Schell), 7:47. 5, Florida, Anderson 4 (Hendricks, Kowalski), 11:30. Third period — 6, Gwinnett, Campbell 10 (Brown, Emmett), pp, 10:24. 7, Vernarsky 2 (Church, O'Connell), en, 19:31.

Power-play opportunities — Florida 1 for 6. Gwinnett 1 for 5. Shots on goal — Florida 6-15-9—30. Gwinnett 9-19-20—48. Goalies — Florida, Kowalski 8-4-0 (shots 48-saves 46). Gwinnett, Aceti 9-4-1 (shots 30-saves 25). A — 3,168.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041208/SPORTS/412080453/1010/SPORTS

[NHLCanes]

Blades win game of league's hottest teams

By Special to The News-Press
Published by news-press.com on December 8, 2004

DULUTH, Ga. — Florida Everblades coach Gerry Fleming had no trouble pinpointing the reason for his team's recent success. The Everblades goalies were outplaying their counterparts.

That trend continued Tuesday when Florida beat Gwinnett 5-2 to extend its season-high winning streak to six games. The loss snapped the Gladiators' own six-game winning streak and brought Florida within two points of Gwinnett's division lead.

It was the fourth game in five days for Gwinnett (11-4-4, 26 points) and the Gladiators first regulation loss at home. Florida (12-9-0, 24 points) returns home conquering heroes after sweeping a four-game road trip through Georgia and South Carolina.

Everblades goalie Craig Kowalski stopped 46 of 48 shots en route to his fifth consecutive win.

"Kowalski played outstanding," Fleming said. "Guys competed (on this road trip), they worked hard, we got great goaltending and we got timely goals.

"But, you know, we still have a lot of work to do."

Matt Hendricks scored twice in the first period — including 1:51 into the game — and gave Florida a 2-0 lead to work with after 20 minutes.

The deadliest blow was most certainly Florida's third goal, 6:02 into the second period. It gave the Everblades a 3-0 lead, but so much more importantly, it was on the power play.

Brad Church's tally was the first time in eight games Florida scored with the man advantage. So woeful was the Blades' power play that one player joked they should start declining the penalties.

Church's goal broke a 0-for-22 string on the power play and came against the league's third best penalty-kill unit.

"Tonight was a test for us," Fleming said. "Definitely Gwinnett's in the top three, four teams and we wanted to see where we stack up against them.

"In the third period, they really came out hard at us and, like I said, Craig gave us the big saves when we needed him."

NOTES

Blades C Brent McDonald was named the ECHL Player of the Week for November 29-December 5. After missing six games with a groin injury, McDonald registered five goals and an assist in three games. Two of the goals were game-winners. He tallied a hat trick in a 5-1 win at Pee Dee on Saturday. McDonald has scored 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 14 games through Monday.

Florida 2 2 1 — 5

Gwinnett 0 1 1 — 2

First period — 1, Florida, Hendricks 10 (Lundbohm, Church), 1:51. 2, Florida, Hendricks 11 (Hnidy, Church), 8:40. Second period — 3, Florida, Church 7 (Saviano, Lee), pp, 6:02. 4, Gwinnett, Vigilante 10 (Flache, Schell), 7:47. 5, Florida, Anderson 4 (Hendricks, Kowalski), 11:30. Third period — 6, Gwinnett, Campbell 10 (Brown, Emmett), pp, 10:24. 7, Vernarsky 2 (Church, O'Connell), en, 19:31.

Power-play opportunities — Florida 1 for 6. Gwinnett 1 for 5. Shots on goal — Florida 6-15-9—30. Gwinnett 9-19-20—48. Goalies — Florida, Kowalski 8-4-0 (shots 48-saves 46). Gwinnett, Aceti 9-4-1 (shots 30-saves 25). A — 3,168.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041208/SPORTS/412080453/1010/SPORTS

[nccanes]

Thought I'd post the Everblades schedule for next week which includes a few stops in SC and NC. I can't make the game in Charlotte on the 8th (which had previously been planned), but I'm off that week so perhaps I'll get to one of the others.

Jan. 4
Tuesday
Florida Everblades @ Columbia Inferno
7:30:PM

Jan. 6
Thursday
Florida Everblades @ Pee Dee Pride
7:00:PM

Jan. 7
Friday
Florida Everblades @ South Carolina Stingrays
7:05:PM

Jan. 8
Saturday
Florida Everblades @ Charlotte Checkers
7:00:PM

[nccanes]

Thought I'd post the Everblades schedule for next week which includes a few stops in SC and NC. I can't make the game in Charlotte on the 8th (which had previously been planned), but I'm off that week so perhaps I'll get to one of the others.

Jan. 4
Tuesday
Florida Everblades @ Columbia Inferno
7:30:PM

Jan. 6
Thursday
Florida Everblades @ Pee Dee Pride
7:00:PM

Jan. 7
Friday
Florida Everblades @ South Carolina Stingrays
7:05:PM

Jan. 8
Saturday
Florida Everblades @ Charlotte Checkers
7:00:PM

[nccanes]

I caught the Everblades vs. the Columbia Inferno on Tuesday night. Very entertaining game with lots of scoring, though the 'Blades lost 4-5. They gave up TWO short handed goals and nearly lost the game on a 3 on 5 short handed goal (can you say flashbacks?), but managed to stop that puck and give up the game winner on a merely a 1 man advantage.

Seemed like sticks were flying everywhere, tripping, hooking, slashing, poking, etc. -- it wasn't very pretty hockey. But it was live hockey!

Surma scored a really sweet goal right in front of us, the Inferno player missed hitting the puck cleanly on a pass from their zone and Surma snagged the puck just inside their blueline, totally faked out the lone defensemen and the rest was like a PS with him going right at the goalie and scored.

Shane Hnidy (formerly of the Preds) is playing with the 'blades for now and you could see his composure. Eric Boulton (former of the Sabres) plays for the Inferno and he spent a good bit of time trying to find someone to dance, lol.

Columbia's arena (USC old B-ball) arena is a strange one for hockey. The first row of seats is even with the top of the glass, so people in that row could just sit forward and berate the bench or the penalty box (and that they did, lol). It was so steep down to the ice, that I'm not sure any seat could see the near boards on their own side. Think of it like having ice at Reynolds and the first row being the first row of the "upper" level. Weird.

Very small but enthusiastic crowd. I'm not sure things are going well with the club, they gave the owner a b'day gift and tribute at the 1st intermission and thanked him profusely. Talked about "saving hockey in Columbia" and that "good things were happening".

The announcer was hilarious and really kept the crowd going. Reminded me at how Norfolk was devoid of anything fanwise for the most part. With the lack of the jumbotron, the announcer would just announce where to look (Section B, 2nd row) so people could watch whomever was cutting up and dancing during intermission.

There were 2 fights, Surma in a small scuffle and Brandon Coalter in a bigger one. He cracked me up. The Inferno player got a few good punches in and then Coalter came back and got a few of his own and had control, pulled the jersey of the guy's head and the refs broke it up. Coalter turns toward the penalty boxes and using an index finger starts pointing back and forth like "which one do I use fellas?" with a smirk on his face. He was so casual like he was asking which table at a restaurant. :lol:

[nccanes]

I caught the Everblades vs. the Columbia Inferno on Tuesday night. Very entertaining game with lots of scoring, though the 'Blades lost 4-5. They gave up TWO short handed goals and nearly lost the game on a 3 on 5 short handed goal (can you say flashbacks?), but managed to stop that puck and give up the game winner on a merely a 1 man advantage.

Seemed like sticks were flying everywhere, tripping, hooking, slashing, poking, etc. -- it wasn't very pretty hockey. But it was live hockey!

Surma scored a really sweet goal right in front of us, the Inferno player missed hitting the puck cleanly on a pass from their zone and Surma snagged the puck just inside their blueline, totally faked out the lone defensemen and the rest was like a PS with him going right at the goalie and scored.

Shane Hnidy (formerly of the Preds) is playing with the 'blades for now and you could see his composure. Eric Boulton (former of the Sabres) plays for the Inferno and he spent a good bit of time trying to find someone to dance, lol.

Columbia's arena (USC old B-ball) arena is a strange one for hockey. The first row of seats is even with the top of the glass, so people in that row could just sit forward and berate the bench or the penalty box (and that they did, lol). It was so steep down to the ice, that I'm not sure any seat could see the near boards on their own side. Think of it like having ice at Reynolds and the first row being the first row of the "upper" level. Weird.

Very small but enthusiastic crowd. I'm not sure things are going well with the club, they gave the owner a b'day gift and tribute at the 1st intermission and thanked him profusely. Talked about "saving hockey in Columbia" and that "good things were happening".

The announcer was hilarious and really kept the crowd going. Reminded me at how Norfolk was devoid of anything fanwise for the most part. With the lack of the jumbotron, the announcer would just announce where to look (Section B, 2nd row) so people could watch whomever was cutting up and dancing during intermission.

There were 2 fights, Surma in a small scuffle and Brandon Coalter in a bigger one. He cracked me up. The Inferno player got a few good punches in and then Coalter came back and got a few of his own and had control, pulled the jersey of the guy's head and the refs broke it up. Coalter turns toward the penalty boxes and using an index finger starts pointing back and forth like "which one do I use fellas?" with a smirk on his face. He was so casual like he was asking which table at a restaurant. :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

Sounds like somebody had a good time at a live hockey game ;) ! Glad you had a good trip E.......

[SoCalcaniac]

Sounds like somebody had a good time at a live hockey game ;) ! Glad you had a good trip E.......

[nccanes]

2 Everblades make all-stars
Hendricks, Pagnutti named starters for Jan. 26 game

By ED REED
ereed@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on January 6, 2005

Florida Everblades defenseman Matt Pagnutti has played eight full seasons and more than 500 games of professional hockey over his career.

Blades forward Matt Hendricks is just 32 games into his rookie season.

Although their pro experiences are at different spectrums, they now share more than a locker room in common — they're both first-time all-stars.

Hendricks and Pagnutti were announced Wednesday as American Conference starters and will represent the Blades in the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. The game will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the Soverign Center in Reading, Pa.

Hendricks, 23, leads the Blades and is the league's third-leading scorer with 33 points entering play Wednesday. He is tied for the most points among first-year players and his 16 goals lead all rookies.

The Blaine, Minn., native learned of his selection after Florida's 5-4 loss to Columbia on Tuesday night.

"It's kind of bittersweet to hear after a loss," Hendricks said. "It was kind of a pick me up.

"It really wasn't (expecting it). I never really thought about it. It's been so long since I've been in an all-star game, I haven't played in one since high school. It was on bottom of my list, if not on my list at all at the beginning of the year."

Despite playing 517 games over his pro career, and never less than 64 in any season, Pagnutti will be making his all-star game debut. The 29-year-old Blades captain, and oldest player on the team's roster, has three goals and 16 points this season.

Pagnutti was named to the All-ECHL Second Team following the 2002-03 season. In 66 games with the Arkansas RiverBlades that season, he netted 15 goals and a career-high 58 points, which ranked third among all ECHL defensemen.

He signed with Florida the following season and has appeared in all 121 games, regular season and playoffs, the Blades have played since.

"It's nice to know your son, after so many years, can get honored like this," said Pagnutti's father, Rick.

"I knew he wasn't happy with the way he played at the beginning of the year, but things are starting to come around."

Hendricks hopes he can carry his hot start over the second half of the season, but knows he has a lot longer road than the past four years when he never played more than 37 regular-season games at St. Cloud State. The ECHL schedule has 72 games.

"I feel good," he said. "I was talking to some of the guys yesterday. It was my 32nd game, and I think I only played 32 games last year, so it's been a long season, we're not even halfway through it. I've been taking care of my body, resting and doing what I have to do."

Former Blades forward and current Greenville player Carl Mallette was also named as an American Conference starter. Mallette, who appeared in 50 games last season for Florida before being traded, leads the ECHL in scoring with 38 points.

Pensacola's Dave Farrish and Gwinnett's Jeff Pyle were chosen as American Conference coaches with Trenton's Mike Haviland and Atlantic City's Matt Thomas selected to lead the National Conference. The National Conference roster will be announced today.

The Blades will be back in action tonight when they face the Pee Dee Pride at 7 p.m. for the second of a four-game road trip.

[nccanes]

2 Everblades make all-stars
Hendricks, Pagnutti named starters for Jan. 26 game

By ED REED
ereed@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on January 6, 2005

Florida Everblades defenseman Matt Pagnutti has played eight full seasons and more than 500 games of professional hockey over his career.

Blades forward Matt Hendricks is just 32 games into his rookie season.

Although their pro experiences are at different spectrums, they now share more than a locker room in common — they're both first-time all-stars.

Hendricks and Pagnutti were announced Wednesday as American Conference starters and will represent the Blades in the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. The game will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the Soverign Center in Reading, Pa.

Hendricks, 23, leads the Blades and is the league's third-leading scorer with 33 points entering play Wednesday. He is tied for the most points among first-year players and his 16 goals lead all rookies.

The Blaine, Minn., native learned of his selection after Florida's 5-4 loss to Columbia on Tuesday night.

"It's kind of bittersweet to hear after a loss," Hendricks said. "It was kind of a pick me up.

"It really wasn't (expecting it). I never really thought about it. It's been so long since I've been in an all-star game, I haven't played in one since high school. It was on bottom of my list, if not on my list at all at the beginning of the year."

Despite playing 517 games over his pro career, and never less than 64 in any season, Pagnutti will be making his all-star game debut. The 29-year-old Blades captain, and oldest player on the team's roster, has three goals and 16 points this season.

Pagnutti was named to the All-ECHL Second Team following the 2002-03 season. In 66 games with the Arkansas RiverBlades that season, he netted 15 goals and a career-high 58 points, which ranked third among all ECHL defensemen.

He signed with Florida the following season and has appeared in all 121 games, regular season and playoffs, the Blades have played since.

"It's nice to know your son, after so many years, can get honored like this," said Pagnutti's father, Rick.

"I knew he wasn't happy with the way he played at the beginning of the year, but things are starting to come around."

Hendricks hopes he can carry his hot start over the second half of the season, but knows he has a lot longer road than the past four years when he never played more than 37 regular-season games at St. Cloud State. The ECHL schedule has 72 games.

"I feel good," he said. "I was talking to some of the guys yesterday. It was my 32nd game, and I think I only played 32 games last year, so it's been a long season, we're not even halfway through it. I've been taking care of my body, resting and doing what I have to do."

Former Blades forward and current Greenville player Carl Mallette was also named as an American Conference starter. Mallette, who appeared in 50 games last season for Florida before being traded, leads the ECHL in scoring with 38 points.

Pensacola's Dave Farrish and Gwinnett's Jeff Pyle were chosen as American Conference coaches with Trenton's Mike Haviland and Atlantic City's Matt Thomas selected to lead the National Conference. The National Conference roster will be announced today.

The Blades will be back in action tonight when they face the Pee Dee Pride at 7 p.m. for the second of a four-game road trip.

[nccanes]

Okay - so I squeeked in another Everblades game tonight in Florence! :beatup: (I'm off this week - so what the heck!)

I got to meet NHLCanes and Mr. NHLCanes, so that was an extra treat! :D

Things didn't look too good, the Everblades going into the 3rd down 0-2 and then the Pride scoring a 3rd goal on a PP in the opening minute in the 3rd. But the 'Blades came back, scored 2 quick goals, then tied it up, then went ahead 4-3 and protected the lead to win. :D Pretty impressive.

Their first period wasn't very good, but they far outplayed the Pride in the 2nd but had nothing to show for it. Things fell their way in the 3rd (along with continued hard work).

Zepp played well, 2 goals were on PPs. The 2nd goal was an unlucky rolling puck after he'd made a good stop. He was great in the 3rd when he needed to be.

The Everblades take sole posession of 1st place in their division with that win.

Worth the trip (again)!

ECHL: Blades topple Pride, 4-3
By DOUG REESE, Special to the Daily News
January 7, 2005

FLORENCE, S.C — First, the Florida Everblades took away Pee Dee Pride goalie Sebastien Laplante's shot at ECHL history.

Then, they took the game.

Florida ended Laplante's shutout streak 15:13 short of the league record early in the third period and added three more unanswered goals to upend the Pride, 4-3, on Thursday night at the Florence Civic Center.

"I don't know if the tires fell off because of the streak ending. I hope not," Laplante said. "Because I approach every game expecting to stop every shot. But I wanted the W first and foremost."

Laplante, who stopped 31 shots in the loss, came into the game with an ECHL record-tying three straight shutouts and a 180:00 scoreless streak, 56:03 short of former Hampton Roads goalie Darryl Paquette's league mark. Laplante's bid lasted through two periods, but ended shortly after Pee Dee grabbed a 3-0 lead 20 seconds into the third period.

Florida followed ECHL All- Star Brian Collins' 14th goal, originally credited to Tyler Kindle, with the streak-stopper, a Steve Saviano backhand shot from the slot at 55 seconds of the third.

The Everblades (19-13-1) followed with highlight-reel goals from Matt Pagnutti (3:16), Damian Surma (4:35) and Kris Vernasky (12:31) to take a 4-3 lead that held to the horn.

"I thought we played well in the second and third period," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said. "In Columbia (a 5-4 loss Tuesday night), the same thing, we didn't come out with the same vigor we had in the last two periods. We had to battle back there. We battled back tonight.

"The lesson to be learned, even with tonight, is we can't spot teams like that and expect to come back every night. But tonight was special. It was a good team effort, at least for two periods."



I have to give the Pride fans credit, after the 1st Everblades goal, I noticed a lot of folks were standing and clapping towards their goalie. I wasn't sure why, but presumed it was just encouragement. I see now that they were paying tribute to him even with his shutout streak ending. How nice of them, and obviously a pretty well tuned in crowd.

[nccanes]

Okay - so I squeeked in another Everblades game tonight in Florence! :beatup: (I'm off this week - so what the heck!)

I got to meet NHLCanes and Mr. NHLCanes, so that was an extra treat! :D

Things didn't look too good, the Everblades going into the 3rd down 0-2 and then the Pride scoring a 3rd goal on a PP in the opening minute in the 3rd. But the 'Blades came back, scored 2 quick goals, then tied it up, then went ahead 4-3 and protected the lead to win. :D Pretty impressive.

Their first period wasn't very good, but they far outplayed the Pride in the 2nd but had nothing to show for it. Things fell their way in the 3rd (along with continued hard work).

Zepp played well, 2 goals were on PPs. The 2nd goal was an unlucky rolling puck after he'd made a good stop. He was great in the 3rd when he needed to be.

The Everblades take sole posession of 1st place in their division with that win.

Worth the trip (again)!

ECHL: Blades topple Pride, 4-3
By DOUG REESE, Special to the Daily News
January 7, 2005

FLORENCE, S.C — First, the Florida Everblades took away Pee Dee Pride goalie Sebastien Laplante's shot at ECHL history.

Then, they took the game.

Florida ended Laplante's shutout streak 15:13 short of the league record early in the third period and added three more unanswered goals to upend the Pride, 4-3, on Thursday night at the Florence Civic Center.

"I don't know if the tires fell off because of the streak ending. I hope not," Laplante said. "Because I approach every game expecting to stop every shot. But I wanted the W first and foremost."

Laplante, who stopped 31 shots in the loss, came into the game with an ECHL record-tying three straight shutouts and a 180:00 scoreless streak, 56:03 short of former Hampton Roads goalie Darryl Paquette's league mark. Laplante's bid lasted through two periods, but ended shortly after Pee Dee grabbed a 3-0 lead 20 seconds into the third period.

Florida followed ECHL All- Star Brian Collins' 14th goal, originally credited to Tyler Kindle, with the streak-stopper, a Steve Saviano backhand shot from the slot at 55 seconds of the third.

The Everblades (19-13-1) followed with highlight-reel goals from Matt Pagnutti (3:16), Damian Surma (4:35) and Kris Vernasky (12:31) to take a 4-3 lead that held to the horn.

"I thought we played well in the second and third period," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said. "In Columbia (a 5-4 loss Tuesday night), the same thing, we didn't come out with the same vigor we had in the last two periods. We had to battle back there. We battled back tonight.

"The lesson to be learned, even with tonight, is we can't spot teams like that and expect to come back every night. But tonight was special. It was a good team effort, at least for two periods."



I have to give the Pride fans credit, after the 1st Everblades goal, I noticed a lot of folks were standing and clapping towards their goalie. I wasn't sure why, but presumed it was just encouragement. I see now that they were paying tribute to him even with his shutout streak ending. How nice of them, and obviously a pretty well tuned in crowd.

[NHLCanes]

Glad to see you made it home okay nccanes. It was very nice to meet you! I really thought the end was near when the Pride scored that 3rd goal, but thankfully the Blades didn't give up and came out with a win. They looked sloppy in the first period and it looked like Pee Dee was able to hold the Blades speed in check. Zepp looked to have that 2nd goal stopped but then it just ended up getting loose and going in. I really like the way the Pride fans continue to show their team support by cheering as they leave the ice even when they lose.

[NHLCanes]

Glad to see you made it home okay nccanes. It was very nice to meet you! I really thought the end was near when the Pride scored that 3rd goal, but thankfully the Blades didn't give up and came out with a win. They looked sloppy in the first period and it looked like Pee Dee was able to hold the Blades speed in check. Zepp looked to have that 2nd goal stopped but then it just ended up getting loose and going in. I really like the way the Pride fans continue to show their team support by cheering as they leave the ice even when they lose.

[Night Train]

Well, I just got back from watching Florida drop a 5-4 heartbreaker in OT vs. Charlotte. Damian Surma was the best player on the ice. He had 2 goals and an assist. Florida trailed 4-2 late in the third, but came back to force OT. The tying goal came with the goalie pulled with :27 on the clock. The Everblades D was porous and really hung Kowalski out to dry a couple of times. The game winnig goal came on the power play in OT after, IMHO, a questionable penalty call on Florida. Here's a link to the write-up on the Everblades' site.

http://www.floridaeverblades.com/everpre.asp?mse=2000&mit=1067

Does anyone know who on the Everblades is still under Hurricanes' contract?

[Night Train]

Well, I just got back from watching Florida drop a 5-4 heartbreaker in OT vs. Charlotte. Damian Surma was the best player on the ice. He had 2 goals and an assist. Florida trailed 4-2 late in the third, but came back to force OT. The tying goal came with the goalie pulled with :27 on the clock. The Everblades D was porous and really hung Kowalski out to dry a couple of times. The game winnig goal came on the power play in OT after, IMHO, a questionable penalty call on Florida. Here's a link to the write-up on the Everblades' site.

http://www.floridaeverblades.com/everpre.asp?mse=2000&mit=1067

Does anyone know who on the Everblades is still under Hurricanes' contract?

[nccanes]

I'd love to find that definitive list too. Some names that I know were on NHL contracts (like Surma) are now on a Lowell/Florida contract.

Zepp is still under an NHL contract
I presume Jared Newman is
I think Kowalksi is (he was a Canes draftee and this is his rookie year after his college career)


The 'Blades are quite something coming from behind. That's 4 straight games of doing so I believe. They were behind 1-3 on Tuesday and came back to tie (then lost in reg), they were behind 0-3 on Thursday and came back to WIN in regulation, they came back Fri and Sat to force OT (but lost).

They've "revamped" the defense with the signing of Hnidy and Tremblay (not the NHL Tremblay), so perhaps they are still working out the kinks on that side of the puck? They've given up shorthanded goals in all of those games I believe.

I hope you enjoyed the game! I watch those games and wonder how badly those boys want to be up in Lowell for those players that really deserve to be there. Must be REALLY frustrating to them toiling down in the ECHL because of the pushdown effect from the lockout.

[nccanes]

I'd love to find that definitive list too. Some names that I know were on NHL contracts (like Surma) are now on a Lowell/Florida contract.

Zepp is still under an NHL contract
I presume Jared Newman is
I think Kowalksi is (he was a Canes draftee and this is his rookie year after his college career)


The 'Blades are quite something coming from behind. That's 4 straight games of doing so I believe. They were behind 1-3 on Tuesday and came back to tie (then lost in reg), they were behind 0-3 on Thursday and came back to WIN in regulation, they came back Fri and Sat to force OT (but lost).

They've "revamped" the defense with the signing of Hnidy and Tremblay (not the NHL Tremblay), so perhaps they are still working out the kinks on that side of the puck? They've given up shorthanded goals in all of those games I believe.

I hope you enjoyed the game! I watch those games and wonder how badly those boys want to be up in Lowell for those players that really deserve to be there. Must be REALLY frustrating to them toiling down in the ECHL because of the pushdown effect from the lockout.

[Night Train]

No shorties tonight (thanks to Kowalski). There were 3 or 4 highlight saves on 2 on 1 opportunities. I really wanted to see Zepp play, but oh, well.

Florida is back in town March 20.

[Night Train]

No shorties tonight (thanks to Kowalski). There were 3 or 4 highlight saves on 2 on 1 opportunities. I really wanted to see Zepp play, but oh, well.

Florida is back in town March 20.

[NHLCanes]

According to the Canes' website, Newman, Zepp and Kowalski are the only ones on the team who are Canes' property. There's a list here:

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/radE1DF5.asp

I didn't realize that they hadn't re-signed Surma, and I thought they'd let Shay Stephenson go, but I see he's on the list as still being in the system.

[NHLCanes]

According to the Canes' website, Newman, Zepp and Kowalski are the only ones on the team who are Canes' property. There's a list here:

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/radE1DF5.asp

I didn't realize that they hadn't re-signed Surma, and I thought they'd let Shay Stephenson go, but I see he's on the list as still being in the system.

[nccanes]

I think the Canes should look into hiring whomever does the marketing for the Everblades!


And SB, turns out this guy is probably a little old for you, but for awhile it seemed like a match made in.....a hockey rink! :D ;)

Hooked on hockey

Fans credit the game's pace and its personalities

DOUGLAS A. KAID

Herald Staff Writer


ESTERO - One day, while driving to a Florida Everblades game, John Weatherhead looked into his rear view mirror and spotted the unmistakable flashing lights of a Lee County Sheriff's department cruiser.

Pulling over, Weatherhead couldn't think of his infraction. Speed was fine. Seat belt fastened? Check. Signals working? Check.

What could it possibly be?

Maybe it was the Jason hockey mask - just like the one from the "Friday the 13th" movies - he was wearing. Just maybe.

"I used to wear the mask from the time I left the house," Weatherhead said of the face guard, painted in Everblades colors. "But the police frowned upon that. When I got pulled over, he said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I'm going to the hockey game.' He said, 'That's great, but you need to wait until you get to the game to wear that.' "

Now, Weatherhead puts the mask on immediately after parking his car in the Germain Arena lot, and he doesn't take it off until he gets back in the vehicle after the games.

The 52-year-old, who works for the State of Florida in Lehigh Acres, is what is sometimes called a "super fan." You know the type: the season-ticker holder who follows the team on road trips, reads everything written about the squad in the paper or on the Internet. And, well, the kind of guy who wears a hockey mask three or more nights a week.

But it was only about six years ago that Weatherhead didn't even follow hockey. The longtime Florida resident is just the kind of person the Gulf Coast Swords are looking for when the franchise takes the ice later this year in a new $70 million arena in Lakewood Ranch.

Men and women, boys and girls, people of all ages, welcome to minor league hockey. Come check out a game. We promise, you will want to come back.

"I'm a convert," he said with his graying hair sticking out just barely behind the mask. "My wife and her brother are from Chicago. They were fans up there. But I've been in Florida so long I didn't know that much about hockey. Then they brought me to my first game, and I was hooked."

A three-year season ticket holder, Weatherhead wasn't a fanatic from the start. He'd attend games when he could, one here, one there. Soon he was a regular. Now, he's a fixture. Fans around the stadium know him as The Masked Man.

"Once or twice I've forgotten the mask, and some people said, 'You can't come in here. If you don't have the mask we don't recognize you,' " said Weatherhead, proudly sporting his home Everblades jersey. "When I go into the pro shop with some of the people in there I can buy stuff, and I don't even have to take the mask off."

During the first intermission of a game this season, Loralyn Franke of Fort Myers waited outside the pro shop while her boyfriend, Rob Skinner, made a few purchases. The couple bought season tickets for the first time this season, but they have been at most of the Everblades home games for the past three seasons.

Franke is from Chicago, and Skinner is from Cincinnati. She grew up watching hockey, and he didn't.

"I actually got him into hockey," she said. "He wasn't a hockey fan until I took him to a game once."

Skinner said: "I was hooked after my first game."

The couple typically spends $20 to $30 per night when they go to games. But on this evening, that number was inflated. Skinner bought a bag full of Everblades gear he plans to send to his family back in Cincinnati. So what if the people back home have no idea what an Everblade is?

"It's worth every penny," Skinner said. "The whole atmosphere is great. It's exciting to watch those guys play. They play hard, and they just love the sport."

Franke and Skinner watch the games from Section 113. They take turns wearing the seven different Everblades jerseys they share.

If they weren't at the hockey game, Franke said their evenings would be spent sitting at home or going out to dinner.

This is a better alternative?

"Oh, God yes," Skinner said.

Franke said they go to the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A baseball) games, but they prefer the atmosphere at Germain Arena.

"When you are at a major league game, the players snub you. They'll come out and sign and autograph, but they ignore you completely," Skinner said. "These guys here are happy to see you. They are very appreciative."

That's another reason Weatherhead was drawn to the sport. He likes to interact with the players after the games and even attends functions in the community at which the Everblades always seem to be present. Weatherhead calls the players down to earth.

That close relationship between the players and fans is one of the reasons the Everblades have led the ECHL in attendance each of the last four seasons, averaging crowds of more than 6,000 per game. The players are appreciative of the support and say they enjoy getting to know their fans.

"The best part of playing in the ECHL is the fan exposure," said Reggie Berg, one of the Everblades' career goal scorers who has made his home in the Fort Myers area. "At this level, you get a lot more interaction with the fans than you would in the (American Hockey League) or NHL. So you get to meet a lot of great people."

And the hockey isn't bad either. Everyone who has attended a game will tell you the same thing. Hockey is a lot like a rock concert. You have to see it, live, to appreciate at it.

"You are going to get a tremendous tremendous brand of hockey (in Lakewood Ranch)," Weatherhead said. "Until the team got down here. I really didn't know that much about hockey. But when you go to the games, it is such a quicker and more interesting game than what you watch on TV. TV doesn't do it justice. But when you come and see a hockey game in person, it is fantastic."

Whitney Kriegel doesn't need anymore convincing. The 15-year-old ninth-grader didn't know a thing about hockey a year ago. Twelve months later, she's been to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and considers herself a hockey nut.

Whitney's dad, Bruce, said he grew up playing sports and he searched for a way to make his daughter understand the enjoyment he had for competitive athletics.

Hockey did the trick.

"She just fell in love with hockey," said Bruce as he waited in line to buy a $15 Everblades cap. "She's crazed about it now."

Whitney said it took her two games to figure out rules like icing and off-side, but after getting that down she could follow the game and learn to appreciate it.

She loves the hard hits, fights and speed of the game.

"I try to tell everybody about hockey," said Whitney, sitting in her $9 seats. "It's a cool sport. I like it because there's no superstar in hockey. It's like a team."

These days, Whitney is an advertisement for the sport.

"I talk my friends' ears off about hockey," she said. "They get tired of it."

The Kriegels moved to the Pensacola recently, but when they came back to the Fort Myers area last month to visit friends, one of their first stops was an Everblades game. The Kriegels are trying to warm to the Pensacola Ice Pilots, another ECHL team, but the Everblades hold a special place in the family's heart.

This is the place where Whitney learned about hockey.

"People don't really appreciate hockey," Bruce said. "There's nothing like coming to a hockey game with your family and feeling the live energy and the flow of the game. It captivates you. It's an absolutely wonderful thing to do with a family."

How much does it cost?

The food, the souvenirs, the keepsakes. How much is it? Here are sample prices of items at a recent ECHL game at Germain Arena in Estero:

Getting in

Row 1: $29

Rows 2-7: $19

Side Rows 8-19: $14

Corner Rows 8 and above (sections 104-118, 108-114): $12

Rows 8 and above (105-107, 115-117): $9

Parking: Free

Game program: $4

The food

Hot dog: $3

Italian sausage: $5.50

Hamburger: $3.50

Cheeseburger: $4

French fries: $3

Pizza slice: $4.50 (pepperoni), $3 (cheese)

Chicken tenders: $4.7

Draft beer: $4.75

Labatt's: $5

16 oz. bottles: $5.50

Water: $2.50

Coffee, hot chocolate: $2

Soda: $2.50 (regular), $3.50 (large)

Cotton candy: $2.50

Nachos: $4.50

Peanuts: $3

Pretzel: $2.50

Roasted peanuts: $4

Speciality coffee: $3.50 (small), $4.50 (large)

Large popcorn: $3

Funnel cake: $4Ice cream: $3.50

Ice cream sandwich: $4.50

The souvenirs

Adult T-shirt: $20

Adult cap: $20

Adult sweatshirt: $30

Hoodie: $35

Bumper sticker: $2

Media guide: $5

Small wooden replica stick: $8

Youth cap: $15

Jersey: $89.62

Everblades polo shirt: $33.01 to $42.45

Fleece: $47.16

Hockey's hot ticket

The Florida Everblades have led the ECHL in attendance in each of the past four seasons.

[nccanes]

I think the Canes should look into hiring whomever does the marketing for the Everblades!


And SB, turns out this guy is probably a little old for you, but for awhile it seemed like a match made in.....a hockey rink! :D ;)

Hooked on hockey

Fans credit the game's pace and its personalities

DOUGLAS A. KAID

Herald Staff Writer


ESTERO - One day, while driving to a Florida Everblades game, John Weatherhead looked into his rear view mirror and spotted the unmistakable flashing lights of a Lee County Sheriff's department cruiser.

Pulling over, Weatherhead couldn't think of his infraction. Speed was fine. Seat belt fastened? Check. Signals working? Check.

What could it possibly be?

Maybe it was the Jason hockey mask - just like the one from the "Friday the 13th" movies - he was wearing. Just maybe.

"I used to wear the mask from the time I left the house," Weatherhead said of the face guard, painted in Everblades colors. "But the police frowned upon that. When I got pulled over, he said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I'm going to the hockey game.' He said, 'That's great, but you need to wait until you get to the game to wear that.' "

Now, Weatherhead puts the mask on immediately after parking his car in the Germain Arena lot, and he doesn't take it off until he gets back in the vehicle after the games.

The 52-year-old, who works for the State of Florida in Lehigh Acres, is what is sometimes called a "super fan." You know the type: the season-ticker holder who follows the team on road trips, reads everything written about the squad in the paper or on the Internet. And, well, the kind of guy who wears a hockey mask three or more nights a week.

But it was only about six years ago that Weatherhead didn't even follow hockey. The longtime Florida resident is just the kind of person the Gulf Coast Swords are looking for when the franchise takes the ice later this year in a new $70 million arena in Lakewood Ranch.

Men and women, boys and girls, people of all ages, welcome to minor league hockey. Come check out a game. We promise, you will want to come back.

"I'm a convert," he said with his graying hair sticking out just barely behind the mask. "My wife and her brother are from Chicago. They were fans up there. But I've been in Florida so long I didn't know that much about hockey. Then they brought me to my first game, and I was hooked."

A three-year season ticket holder, Weatherhead wasn't a fanatic from the start. He'd attend games when he could, one here, one there. Soon he was a regular. Now, he's a fixture. Fans around the stadium know him as The Masked Man.

"Once or twice I've forgotten the mask, and some people said, 'You can't come in here. If you don't have the mask we don't recognize you,' " said Weatherhead, proudly sporting his home Everblades jersey. "When I go into the pro shop with some of the people in there I can buy stuff, and I don't even have to take the mask off."

During the first intermission of a game this season, Loralyn Franke of Fort Myers waited outside the pro shop while her boyfriend, Rob Skinner, made a few purchases. The couple bought season tickets for the first time this season, but they have been at most of the Everblades home games for the past three seasons.

Franke is from Chicago, and Skinner is from Cincinnati. She grew up watching hockey, and he didn't.

"I actually got him into hockey," she said. "He wasn't a hockey fan until I took him to a game once."

Skinner said: "I was hooked after my first game."

The couple typically spends $20 to $30 per night when they go to games. But on this evening, that number was inflated. Skinner bought a bag full of Everblades gear he plans to send to his family back in Cincinnati. So what if the people back home have no idea what an Everblade is?

"It's worth every penny," Skinner said. "The whole atmosphere is great. It's exciting to watch those guys play. They play hard, and they just love the sport."

Franke and Skinner watch the games from Section 113. They take turns wearing the seven different Everblades jerseys they share.

If they weren't at the hockey game, Franke said their evenings would be spent sitting at home or going out to dinner.

This is a better alternative?

"Oh, God yes," Skinner said.

Franke said they go to the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A baseball) games, but they prefer the atmosphere at Germain Arena.

"When you are at a major league game, the players snub you. They'll come out and sign and autograph, but they ignore you completely," Skinner said. "These guys here are happy to see you. They are very appreciative."

That's another reason Weatherhead was drawn to the sport. He likes to interact with the players after the games and even attends functions in the community at which the Everblades always seem to be present. Weatherhead calls the players down to earth.

That close relationship between the players and fans is one of the reasons the Everblades have led the ECHL in attendance each of the last four seasons, averaging crowds of more than 6,000 per game. The players are appreciative of the support and say they enjoy getting to know their fans.

"The best part of playing in the ECHL is the fan exposure," said Reggie Berg, one of the Everblades' career goal scorers who has made his home in the Fort Myers area. "At this level, you get a lot more interaction with the fans than you would in the (American Hockey League) or NHL. So you get to meet a lot of great people."

And the hockey isn't bad either. Everyone who has attended a game will tell you the same thing. Hockey is a lot like a rock concert. You have to see it, live, to appreciate at it.

"You are going to get a tremendous tremendous brand of hockey (in Lakewood Ranch)," Weatherhead said. "Until the team got down here. I really didn't know that much about hockey. But when you go to the games, it is such a quicker and more interesting game than what you watch on TV. TV doesn't do it justice. But when you come and see a hockey game in person, it is fantastic."

Whitney Kriegel doesn't need anymore convincing. The 15-year-old ninth-grader didn't know a thing about hockey a year ago. Twelve months later, she's been to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and considers herself a hockey nut.

Whitney's dad, Bruce, said he grew up playing sports and he searched for a way to make his daughter understand the enjoyment he had for competitive athletics.

Hockey did the trick.

"She just fell in love with hockey," said Bruce as he waited in line to buy a $15 Everblades cap. "She's crazed about it now."

Whitney said it took her two games to figure out rules like icing and off-side, but after getting that down she could follow the game and learn to appreciate it.

She loves the hard hits, fights and speed of the game.

"I try to tell everybody about hockey," said Whitney, sitting in her $9 seats. "It's a cool sport. I like it because there's no superstar in hockey. It's like a team."

These days, Whitney is an advertisement for the sport.

"I talk my friends' ears off about hockey," she said. "They get tired of it."

The Kriegels moved to the Pensacola recently, but when they came back to the Fort Myers area last month to visit friends, one of their first stops was an Everblades game. The Kriegels are trying to warm to the Pensacola Ice Pilots, another ECHL team, but the Everblades hold a special place in the family's heart.

This is the place where Whitney learned about hockey.

"People don't really appreciate hockey," Bruce said. "There's nothing like coming to a hockey game with your family and feeling the live energy and the flow of the game. It captivates you. It's an absolutely wonderful thing to do with a family."

How much does it cost?

The food, the souvenirs, the keepsakes. How much is it? Here are sample prices of items at a recent ECHL game at Germain Arena in Estero:

Getting in

Row 1: $29

Rows 2-7: $19

Side Rows 8-19: $14

Corner Rows 8 and above (sections 104-118, 108-114): $12

Rows 8 and above (105-107, 115-117): $9

Parking: Free

Game program: $4

The food

Hot dog: $3

Italian sausage: $5.50

Hamburger: $3.50

Cheeseburger: $4

French fries: $3

Pizza slice: $4.50 (pepperoni), $3 (cheese)

Chicken tenders: $4.7

Draft beer: $4.75

Labatt's: $5

16 oz. bottles: $5.50

Water: $2.50

Coffee, hot chocolate: $2

Soda: $2.50 (regular), $3.50 (large)

Cotton candy: $2.50

Nachos: $4.50

Peanuts: $3

Pretzel: $2.50

Roasted peanuts: $4

Speciality coffee: $3.50 (small), $4.50 (large)

Large popcorn: $3

Funnel cake: $4Ice cream: $3.50

Ice cream sandwich: $4.50

The souvenirs

Adult T-shirt: $20

Adult cap: $20

Adult sweatshirt: $30

Hoodie: $35

Bumper sticker: $2

Media guide: $5

Small wooden replica stick: $8

Youth cap: $15

Jersey: $89.62

Everblades polo shirt: $33.01 to $42.45

Fleece: $47.16

Hockey's hot ticket

The Florida Everblades have led the ECHL in attendance in each of the past four seasons.

[nccanes]

Caught a glimpse of the 'Blades bus on Thursday night. Verry nice - a lot nicer than I expected (though I'm not sure what I expected).

For Everblades, glory stays on the ice
LOREN NELSON
The Herald


ESTERO - You won't find many minor league hockey players producing albums, driving Hummers or living in gated communities. OK, you won't find one.

Not even among the Florida Everblades, who have averaged the largest crowds in the ECHL four years running, never had a losing season and finished second in the league playoffs last season.

Everblades players, although adored by a devout fan base, live in relative obscurity away from the rink.

"Occasionally, you might get a fan that will come up and congratulate you on a game or what-not," said Brent McDonald, who has played parts of five seasons with the Everblades and is one of their most popular players. "But no, we're just regular guys around here."

Last year's average ECHL salary was $12,644 a season, which is 72 games. Until the Gulf Coast Swords begin play next season in a new $70 million arena in Lakewood Ranch, the Everblades and the Pensacola Ice Pilots are the league's only Florida franchises. That means, for now, the Everblades' shortest bus trip is 9½ hours.

Despite the low pay, low profiles and bus-trip blues, Everblades players say they have little to complain about. And they believe the players who become Swords next season are sure to find their own little slice of hockey heaven.

"I love it," said Minnesota native Matt Hendricks, an Everblades rookie who ranks fifth in ECHL scoring. "I love playing in Florida, and I think it's great the state is getting another franchise. There's so many things you can do. You can go to the beach, you can go fishing, you can go golfing.

"You have to be careful you don't do too much. I try to get in a pattern, a rhythm, I think that's what has been helping me be successful this season."

The Everblades franchise, which pays players based on the contracts they signed with NHL teams and must keep salaries under an ECHL cap (about $10,000 a week), does much to help players survive financially. Players are housed in upscale apartments in the Naples and Fort Myers area, and their rent is paid by the team.

Team boosters often pick up the tab for players at area restaurants and golf courses.

"We do alright," McDonald said. "We're not making the millions they do at the National Hockey League level, but that's what we're striving for, and hopefully we can get up there and get a shot to make the big paycheck.

"But we've got a great setup here in South Florida. You can't complain about playing down here. We're kind of looked upon as a great place to play in this league. We have the nice weather, we have great fans, a great rink and it's a great organization - hands down probably the best in the league. It definitely attracts a lot of players wanting to come here."

As for the bus trips, well, they're not so bad either, according to the players. They travel on a sleeper bus that they say is the epitome of luxury.

"We've got a great bus," forward Damian Surma said. "Everything folds out into beds. We've got a satellite TV, DVD player, card tables. Plus, we leave at midnight. So we play cards for a couple of hours, watch a movie or two, and then we're sleeping the rest of the way. It doesn't really bother us."

[nccanes]

Caught a glimpse of the 'Blades bus on Thursday night. Verry nice - a lot nicer than I expected (though I'm not sure what I expected).

For Everblades, glory stays on the ice
LOREN NELSON
The Herald


ESTERO - You won't find many minor league hockey players producing albums, driving Hummers or living in gated communities. OK, you won't find one.

Not even among the Florida Everblades, who have averaged the largest crowds in the ECHL four years running, never had a losing season and finished second in the league playoffs last season.

Everblades players, although adored by a devout fan base, live in relative obscurity away from the rink.

"Occasionally, you might get a fan that will come up and congratulate you on a game or what-not," said Brent McDonald, who has played parts of five seasons with the Everblades and is one of their most popular players. "But no, we're just regular guys around here."

Last year's average ECHL salary was $12,644 a season, which is 72 games. Until the Gulf Coast Swords begin play next season in a new $70 million arena in Lakewood Ranch, the Everblades and the Pensacola Ice Pilots are the league's only Florida franchises. That means, for now, the Everblades' shortest bus trip is 9½ hours.

Despite the low pay, low profiles and bus-trip blues, Everblades players say they have little to complain about. And they believe the players who become Swords next season are sure to find their own little slice of hockey heaven.

"I love it," said Minnesota native Matt Hendricks, an Everblades rookie who ranks fifth in ECHL scoring. "I love playing in Florida, and I think it's great the state is getting another franchise. There's so many things you can do. You can go to the beach, you can go fishing, you can go golfing.

"You have to be careful you don't do too much. I try to get in a pattern, a rhythm, I think that's what has been helping me be successful this season."

The Everblades franchise, which pays players based on the contracts they signed with NHL teams and must keep salaries under an ECHL cap (about $10,000 a week), does much to help players survive financially. Players are housed in upscale apartments in the Naples and Fort Myers area, and their rent is paid by the team.

Team boosters often pick up the tab for players at area restaurants and golf courses.

"We do alright," McDonald said. "We're not making the millions they do at the National Hockey League level, but that's what we're striving for, and hopefully we can get up there and get a shot to make the big paycheck.

"But we've got a great setup here in South Florida. You can't complain about playing down here. We're kind of looked upon as a great place to play in this league. We have the nice weather, we have great fans, a great rink and it's a great organization - hands down probably the best in the league. It definitely attracts a lot of players wanting to come here."

As for the bus trips, well, they're not so bad either, according to the players. They travel on a sleeper bus that they say is the epitome of luxury.

"We've got a great bus," forward Damian Surma said. "Everything folds out into beds. We've got a satellite TV, DVD player, card tables. Plus, we leave at midnight. So we play cards for a couple of hours, watch a movie or two, and then we're sleeping the rest of the way. It doesn't really bother us."

[SoCalcaniac]

E- thanks for the post- Wow, who knew? Although we all know they want to come up to the next level, It's not all horrible in Florida eh? I was particularly struck by the whole 'team boosters' picking up the tab at restaurants and the whole upscale apartment complex deal.

Now someone, probably you E (LOL) tell me, Karmanos still owns the Everblades no? And who financed this new arena? Is that taxpayer money?

[SoCalcaniac]

E- thanks for the post- Wow, who knew? Although we all know they want to come up to the next level, It's not all horrible in Florida eh? I was particularly struck by the whole 'team boosters' picking up the tab at restaurants and the whole upscale apartment complex deal.

Now someone, probably you E (LOL) tell me, Karmanos still owns the Everblades no? And who financed this new arena? Is that taxpayer money?

[nccanes]

PK still owns the Everblades, the GM owns part too (and maybe a third person??).

The "new" arena that is mentioned in these article is for a team in Bradenton that will open next year with an ECHL team. The series of articles in the Bradenton paper was looking at the Everblades organization as one that has been so successful (on every level apparently) and wondering about how the new arena/team will do as its new neighbor.

[nccanes]

PK still owns the Everblades, the GM owns part too (and maybe a third person??).

The "new" arena that is mentioned in these article is for a team in Bradenton that will open next year with an ECHL team. The series of articles in the Bradenton paper was looking at the Everblades organization as one that has been so successful (on every level apparently) and wondering about how the new arena/team will do as its new neighbor.

[SoCalcaniac]

I like how things are being done down there- very interesting- and it will be interesting to see another team come down there....... I've gotta go down there and check out a game.... don't have anything better to do up here :roll:

[SoCalcaniac]

I like how things are being done down there- very interesting- and it will be interesting to see another team come down there....... I've gotta go down there and check out a game.... don't have anything better to do up here :roll:

[nccanes]

Well, looks like PK has found a buyer for the Everblades/Germain. Still wondering why, but I suppose it's all about the money. If PK is doing this to put more money in the GFH coffers, then thank you Pete.

I imagine the franchise (often described as THE ECHL model franchise and one of the few that makes money) is worth a bit more than his cost to start the franchise.

It'll be interesting to see what a deal like this is worth.

While the Carolina Hurricanes remain shuttered during the NHL lockout, Peter Karmanos is close to selling one of the other teams he owns under the Gale Force Holdings umbrella.

Jim Rutherford, the Gale Force president and Canes general manager, said Monday that the franchise has found a buyer for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, and that buyer is performing due diligence -- or an investigation into the details of the investment.

Rutherford said the sale includes the team and its Estero, Fla., arena, and could be completed within the "next few months" but not before the ECHL season is complete in April.

Karmanos has been trying to divest himself of some of his lesser hockey properties during the lockout. The Canes have lost $135 million since moving to North Carolina in 1997 and will lose $7.5 million if the lockout wipes out the entire 2004-05 season.

Gale Force secured a $90 million credit line from a Detroit bank in July, pledging the Hurricanes and their lease at the RBC Center as collateral. The Hurricanes also have deposited $30 million in the NHL's lockout fund, which Rutherford said earlier this month the team has yet to access.

Rutherford said Karmanos' other hockey franchise, the Plymouth Whalers of the junior Ontario Hockey League, remains on the market.

(Luke Decock)

[nccanes]

Well, looks like PK has found a buyer for the Everblades/Germain. Still wondering why, but I suppose it's all about the money. If PK is doing this to put more money in the GFH coffers, then thank you Pete.

I imagine the franchise (often described as THE ECHL model franchise and one of the few that makes money) is worth a bit more than his cost to start the franchise.

It'll be interesting to see what a deal like this is worth.

While the Carolina Hurricanes remain shuttered during the NHL lockout, Peter Karmanos is close to selling one of the other teams he owns under the Gale Force Holdings umbrella.

Jim Rutherford, the Gale Force president and Canes general manager, said Monday that the franchise has found a buyer for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, and that buyer is performing due diligence -- or an investigation into the details of the investment.

Rutherford said the sale includes the team and its Estero, Fla., arena, and could be completed within the "next few months" but not before the ECHL season is complete in April.

Karmanos has been trying to divest himself of some of his lesser hockey properties during the lockout. The Canes have lost $135 million since moving to North Carolina in 1997 and will lose $7.5 million if the lockout wipes out the entire 2004-05 season.

Gale Force secured a $90 million credit line from a Detroit bank in July, pledging the Hurricanes and their lease at the RBC Center as collateral. The Hurricanes also have deposited $30 million in the NHL's lockout fund, which Rutherford said earlier this month the team has yet to access.

Rutherford said Karmanos' other hockey franchise, the Plymouth Whalers of the junior Ontario Hockey League, remains on the market.

(Luke Decock)

[nccanes]

Another article about it.

Negotiations underway for purchase of Everblades and Germain Arena

By DICK HOGAN
dhogan@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on January 25, 2005


DELIVERING YOUR WORLD
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The News-Press has learned that at least two potential buyers are negotiating to acquire Southwest Florida's minor league hockey franchise, the Florida Everblades and their 7,082-seat home arena in Estero. Frank D’Alessandro, a commercial real estate broker, said today he is talking to Peter Karmanos Jr., the principal owner of the Everblades and Germain Arena.

“My associate Janet Watermeier and I are negotiating," D’Alessandro said. “We have a group that wants to buy the team and stadium if it makes economic sense.”

D’Alessandro, who is negotiating on behalf of Florida Gulf Coast Group, a real estate consulting and developing company, said he would be one of the investors if the deal goes through.

But Florida Gulf Coast Group is not the only interested buyer, D’Alessandro said.

“Other parties are negotiating,” D'Alessandro said.

According to the Lee County Property Appraiser's Web site, the 231,911-square-foot arena has an assessed property value of $16,613,240, including $12,738,070 for the building and $3,875,170 for the land. The construction of the arena cost $25 million.

Karmanos Jr. also owns the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes. One of his minority partners with KTB Sports, the official ownership group of the Everblades, is Craig Brush, the president and general manager of the Everblades.

If Florida Gulf Coast makes the purchase, D'Alessandro said, “We would keep Craig Brush involved and make him a partner.”

D’Alessandro, who writes a real estate column for The News-Press, said he’s not looking to buy the team for the love of the game. “I’ve been to a few games, but I’m not a big hockey fan. When it comes to investments, I don’t get emotional.”:lol:

The Everblades have been playing in Southwest Florida since 1998, the same year Germain Arena opened. They are affiliated with the ECHL, formerlyI known as the East Coast Hockey League. Germain Arena is also home of the Florida Flame of the National Basketball Development League and the Florida Firecats of arenafootball2. Germain Arena also hosts various entertainment events throughout the year such as concerts, Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.

[nccanes]

Another article about it.

Negotiations underway for purchase of Everblades and Germain Arena

By DICK HOGAN
dhogan@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on January 25, 2005


DELIVERING YOUR WORLD
The News-Press – Subscribe
Daily email newsletter – Signup
Printer friendly version
Email this article


The News-Press has learned that at least two potential buyers are negotiating to acquire Southwest Florida's minor league hockey franchise, the Florida Everblades and their 7,082-seat home arena in Estero. Frank D’Alessandro, a commercial real estate broker, said today he is talking to Peter Karmanos Jr., the principal owner of the Everblades and Germain Arena.

“My associate Janet Watermeier and I are negotiating," D’Alessandro said. “We have a group that wants to buy the team and stadium if it makes economic sense.”

D’Alessandro, who is negotiating on behalf of Florida Gulf Coast Group, a real estate consulting and developing company, said he would be one of the investors if the deal goes through.

But Florida Gulf Coast Group is not the only interested buyer, D’Alessandro said.

“Other parties are negotiating,” D'Alessandro said.

According to the Lee County Property Appraiser's Web site, the 231,911-square-foot arena has an assessed property value of $16,613,240, including $12,738,070 for the building and $3,875,170 for the land. The construction of the arena cost $25 million.

Karmanos Jr. also owns the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes. One of his minority partners with KTB Sports, the official ownership group of the Everblades, is Craig Brush, the president and general manager of the Everblades.

If Florida Gulf Coast makes the purchase, D'Alessandro said, “We would keep Craig Brush involved and make him a partner.”

D’Alessandro, who writes a real estate column for The News-Press, said he’s not looking to buy the team for the love of the game. “I’ve been to a few games, but I’m not a big hockey fan. When it comes to investments, I don’t get emotional.”:lol:

The Everblades have been playing in Southwest Florida since 1998, the same year Germain Arena opened. They are affiliated with the ECHL, formerlyI known as the East Coast Hockey League. Germain Arena is also home of the Florida Flame of the National Basketball Development League and the Florida Firecats of arenafootball2. Germain Arena also hosts various entertainment events throughout the year such as concerts, Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.

[nccanes]

ECHL: Sale of Blades a bit of a mystery
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
January 26, 2005

With the pending sale of the Florida Everblades and Germain Arena now public knowledge, the remaining questions revolve around the identity of the buyer and the selling price.

Seven years ago when construction first began on the 180,000-square-foot arena just east of Interstate 75 off Corkscrew Road, the cost was estimated at $20 million.

The latest Lee County Property Appraiser's report filed in November assessed the land value at $3,875,170 and the building value at $12,070,000 for a total assessed value of $16,613,240.

If the value of the team was close to the $5 million average based on previous sales, that would place the overall value of the package in the low $20 million range.

The asking price sought by KTB Sports hasn't been disclosed, but Everblades president/general manager Craig Brush has entertained more than a few interested buyers. Brush, who is one-third of KTB along with Peter Karmanos Jr., and Thomas Thewes, revealed Monday that a letter of intent has been filed by one potential buyer and due diligence paperwork on the purchase had begun.

"This is the type of property that normally would be talked about in the back room and would not be known to the public that it was for sale," said Mike Carr Sr., a commercial real estate broker for Coldwell Banker in Naples. "As far as the value, the first thing you would look at is the income since it's an income property, and we're talking about someone not just buying the building but the team as well."

Carr came up with a figure of $36 million just for the arena, based on a formula taking the rate of $200 per square foot and multiplying it by the actual square footage of 180,000. Reported estimates of $35-40 million for the asking price would be close based on that rationale.

Other potential buyers have not been ruled out, and one local group actually has thrown its hat into the ring and could be a fail-safe should the other party bow out for whatever reason.

Frank D'Alessandro, a real estate broker in Fort Myers who co-owns the commercial real estate firm D'Alessandro and Woodward, Inc., said he is representing The Florida Gulf Coast Group in negotiations. D'Alessandro is vice president and Janet Watermeier is president.

"If we bought it, we would keep the team in Southwest Florida, book more events in the facilities," D'Alessandro said. "It is a team investment and a real estate investment."

D'Alessandro acknowledged that the seller, KTB Sports, is negotiating with another buyer, "presumably out of the Northeast." He said he has a confidentiality agreement in place with the seller and did not have a timeline on when the deal could be completed.

"We're certainly glad that a local ownership group is interested in taking over because they understand the value the arena and the Everblades have in this area," said Jeff Mielke, executive director of the Lee County Sports Authority. "I'm not sure someone from the outside would understand the value those teams (Everblades, af2's Florida Firecats and NBDL's Florida Flame) have.

"It opens up the possibility for us to host sports events like NARCh (a youth roller hockey tournament held two summers ago), the largest event we've held. If the building was to go away we would lose a significant number of events."

Brush said Monday he doesn't expect the team to be moved.

[nccanes]

ECHL: Sale of Blades a bit of a mystery
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
January 26, 2005

With the pending sale of the Florida Everblades and Germain Arena now public knowledge, the remaining questions revolve around the identity of the buyer and the selling price.

Seven years ago when construction first began on the 180,000-square-foot arena just east of Interstate 75 off Corkscrew Road, the cost was estimated at $20 million.

The latest Lee County Property Appraiser's report filed in November assessed the land value at $3,875,170 and the building value at $12,070,000 for a total assessed value of $16,613,240.

If the value of the team was close to the $5 million average based on previous sales, that would place the overall value of the package in the low $20 million range.

The asking price sought by KTB Sports hasn't been disclosed, but Everblades president/general manager Craig Brush has entertained more than a few interested buyers. Brush, who is one-third of KTB along with Peter Karmanos Jr., and Thomas Thewes, revealed Monday that a letter of intent has been filed by one potential buyer and due diligence paperwork on the purchase had begun.

"This is the type of property that normally would be talked about in the back room and would not be known to the public that it was for sale," said Mike Carr Sr., a commercial real estate broker for Coldwell Banker in Naples. "As far as the value, the first thing you would look at is the income since it's an income property, and we're talking about someone not just buying the building but the team as well."

Carr came up with a figure of $36 million just for the arena, based on a formula taking the rate of $200 per square foot and multiplying it by the actual square footage of 180,000. Reported estimates of $35-40 million for the asking price would be close based on that rationale.

Other potential buyers have not been ruled out, and one local group actually has thrown its hat into the ring and could be a fail-safe should the other party bow out for whatever reason.

Frank D'Alessandro, a real estate broker in Fort Myers who co-owns the commercial real estate firm D'Alessandro and Woodward, Inc., said he is representing The Florida Gulf Coast Group in negotiations. D'Alessandro is vice president and Janet Watermeier is president.

"If we bought it, we would keep the team in Southwest Florida, book more events in the facilities," D'Alessandro said. "It is a team investment and a real estate investment."

D'Alessandro acknowledged that the seller, KTB Sports, is negotiating with another buyer, "presumably out of the Northeast." He said he has a confidentiality agreement in place with the seller and did not have a timeline on when the deal could be completed.

"We're certainly glad that a local ownership group is interested in taking over because they understand the value the arena and the Everblades have in this area," said Jeff Mielke, executive director of the Lee County Sports Authority. "I'm not sure someone from the outside would understand the value those teams (Everblades, af2's Florida Firecats and NBDL's Florida Flame) have.

"It opens up the possibility for us to host sports events like NARCh (a youth roller hockey tournament held two summers ago), the largest event we've held. If the building was to go away we would lose a significant number of events."

Brush said Monday he doesn't expect the team to be moved.

[nccanes]

Gosh, that's horrible - losing both goalies in one game! :eek2:

ECHL: Blades win, but lose both goalies
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
January 30, 2005

ESTERO — There was a little bit of everything — from the good to the not-so-good — for the home fans Saturday night at Germain Arena as the Florida Everblades treated the near sellout crowd of 7,125 to a memorable game.

Veteran forward Brad Church notched a hat trick to lift Florida to a 6-5 victory over the Louisiana IceGators, but it was a costly victory as the Everblades (22-13-6) lost both of their goaltenders indefinitely.

The win completed a weekend sweep and extended the Everblades' unbeaten streak to nine games, while Louisiana (16-22-3) lost for the fifth consecutive time. Florida closes out its seven-game homestand Tuesday night against the Augusta Lynx, and is actively searching for a goalie to start in place of Rob Zepp and rookie Craig Kowalski.

Zepp went down with a sprained MCL in his left knee early in the second period and Kowalski aggravated a groin injury in relief over the final 34 minutes.
"Rob's going to be out for a while, he hurt his knee, and K-Wol's done to," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming. "We're pounding the phones right now and they both look like lengthy injuries. We'll have to wait for the medical report."

Zepp said he was told his knee was not quite as bad as it could have been and thinks he could be back sooner than expected but ruled out playing Tuesday. Kowalski, who stopped 12 of 14 shots in a valiant effort, said he expects to miss at least a month.

Reggie Berg scored the game-winner 10:04 into the third period on a power play, Florida's franchise record fifth power-play goal of the night, and added four assists as his line accounted for five of the six goals.

Kowalski was put to the test right away as Berg was whistled for holding the stick at the 6:24 mark, giving the IceGators another power play. They cashed in 30 seconds later as Mark Rooneem was left alone in front of the net and one-timed a pass from Galbraith out of the left corner into the back of the net to make it a 4-3 game.

Louisiana benefited late in the period with a 5-on-3 power play and made it count as Bararuk stuffed home a rebound from in close at the 17:17 mark off assists from Mason and Galbraith, sending the IceGators into the final intermission with a 5-3 lead.

"I wasn't happy (when Zepp went down)," Kowalski said. "It's an injury I had before, I had it last year, and it takes a long time to recover. It happened originally last Friday in the overtime loss, it was getting better, and then I hurt it again in practice Thursday. I hurt it again in the second period on a deflected shot, I turned my leg out too quickly, and I was in trouble from there. I just relied on reflexes in the third period."

Another up-and-down first period kept the fans on the edge of their seats as the Everblades took the lead early on a power-play goal by Church at the 3:11 mark.

Church got good position in front of the net and took a centering pass from Berg and buried the shot past IceGators goalie Kyle Kettles.

Louisiana responded at the 5:59 mark on a slapshot by Roger Leonard from the left circle off assists from David Bararuk and Jim Sheperd that beat Zepp to tie the game at 1-1.

Then after a scramble in front of the Florida net just before the midway point of the period, Bararuk got a lucky bounce in close and put the IceGators ahead for the first time at the 9:51 mark.

A little over a minute later, 11:05 in, Leonard struck again from the left side on a backhander to make it a two-goal game.

The Everblades livened up the crowd before intermission as rookie forward David Lundbohm cleaned up the rebound of Brandon Coalter's breakaway at the 18:15 mark for his second goal in as many nights after going more than a month without one.

Florida then evened the score 3:37 into the second period on a textbook power-play goal by Damian Surma just 13 seconds into the penalty. Berg fed the puck to Ryan Brindley at the left point from the left corner and Brindley zipped a shot to the front of net just as Surma was skating in, laying it right on Surma's stick for the easy goal.

The excitement was tempered with 14:04 left when Zepp went down in front of the net after it appeared his left skate caught in the ice as he tried to butterfly. He had to be helped off the ice favoring his leg.

"I was going back and I got tripped up and both of my skates were kind of caught," Zepp said.

"I couldn't stop myself from falling back and both my knees went down in a butterfly so I kind of tweaked it a little bit. They seem pretty optimistic about it but we'll know more in the morning when I come in for rehab."

The third period was chippy from the start and got real ugly at the 4:36 mark when Louisiana's Doug MacIver slammed Brent McDonald into the boards from behind and was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. McDonald stayed down on the ice for almost five minutes.

The Everblades took full advantage of the penalties, scoring first on a 5-on-3 when Church knocked in a rebound at the 5:22 mark after Berg's shot hit the right post. Brindley also got an assist.

Church struck again at the 6:25 mark on another rebound of a shot by Berg to tie the game at 5-5. Because of the five-minute major the Blades remained on the power play, and then got another 5-on-3 for 46 seconds as Kettles was called for delay of game at the 8:50 mark.

"That was a vicious hit on B-Mac and that definitely was the turning point because it fired us up," Berg said. "We had three unanswered from there and it's unfortunate he had to take that hit but we all seemed to be energized."

Berg scored from the right circle at the 10:04 mark to give Florida a 6-5 lead off assists from Brindley and Matt Pagnutti.

It was the most goals scored by the Everblades since the fourth game of the season against Mississippi on Oct. 29.



I'd suggest that they get an NHL goalie to sign a short contract, there's bound to be someone out there that would want some real game time. But then I thought - they wouldn't be around long enough since NHL camp will start on Wednesday. :laugh:

[nccanes]

Gosh, that's horrible - losing both goalies in one game! :eek2:

ECHL: Blades win, but lose both goalies
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
January 30, 2005

ESTERO — There was a little bit of everything — from the good to the not-so-good — for the home fans Saturday night at Germain Arena as the Florida Everblades treated the near sellout crowd of 7,125 to a memorable game.

Veteran forward Brad Church notched a hat trick to lift Florida to a 6-5 victory over the Louisiana IceGators, but it was a costly victory as the Everblades (22-13-6) lost both of their goaltenders indefinitely.

The win completed a weekend sweep and extended the Everblades' unbeaten streak to nine games, while Louisiana (16-22-3) lost for the fifth consecutive time. Florida closes out its seven-game homestand Tuesday night against the Augusta Lynx, and is actively searching for a goalie to start in place of Rob Zepp and rookie Craig Kowalski.

Zepp went down with a sprained MCL in his left knee early in the second period and Kowalski aggravated a groin injury in relief over the final 34 minutes.
"Rob's going to be out for a while, he hurt his knee, and K-Wol's done to," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming. "We're pounding the phones right now and they both look like lengthy injuries. We'll have to wait for the medical report."

Zepp said he was told his knee was not quite as bad as it could have been and thinks he could be back sooner than expected but ruled out playing Tuesday. Kowalski, who stopped 12 of 14 shots in a valiant effort, said he expects to miss at least a month.

Reggie Berg scored the game-winner 10:04 into the third period on a power play, Florida's franchise record fifth power-play goal of the night, and added four assists as his line accounted for five of the six goals.

Kowalski was put to the test right away as Berg was whistled for holding the stick at the 6:24 mark, giving the IceGators another power play. They cashed in 30 seconds later as Mark Rooneem was left alone in front of the net and one-timed a pass from Galbraith out of the left corner into the back of the net to make it a 4-3 game.

Louisiana benefited late in the period with a 5-on-3 power play and made it count as Bararuk stuffed home a rebound from in close at the 17:17 mark off assists from Mason and Galbraith, sending the IceGators into the final intermission with a 5-3 lead.

"I wasn't happy (when Zepp went down)," Kowalski said. "It's an injury I had before, I had it last year, and it takes a long time to recover. It happened originally last Friday in the overtime loss, it was getting better, and then I hurt it again in practice Thursday. I hurt it again in the second period on a deflected shot, I turned my leg out too quickly, and I was in trouble from there. I just relied on reflexes in the third period."

Another up-and-down first period kept the fans on the edge of their seats as the Everblades took the lead early on a power-play goal by Church at the 3:11 mark.

Church got good position in front of the net and took a centering pass from Berg and buried the shot past IceGators goalie Kyle Kettles.

Louisiana responded at the 5:59 mark on a slapshot by Roger Leonard from the left circle off assists from David Bararuk and Jim Sheperd that beat Zepp to tie the game at 1-1.

Then after a scramble in front of the Florida net just before the midway point of the period, Bararuk got a lucky bounce in close and put the IceGators ahead for the first time at the 9:51 mark.

A little over a minute later, 11:05 in, Leonard struck again from the left side on a backhander to make it a two-goal game.

The Everblades livened up the crowd before intermission as rookie forward David Lundbohm cleaned up the rebound of Brandon Coalter's breakaway at the 18:15 mark for his second goal in as many nights after going more than a month without one.

Florida then evened the score 3:37 into the second period on a textbook power-play goal by Damian Surma just 13 seconds into the penalty. Berg fed the puck to Ryan Brindley at the left point from the left corner and Brindley zipped a shot to the front of net just as Surma was skating in, laying it right on Surma's stick for the easy goal.

The excitement was tempered with 14:04 left when Zepp went down in front of the net after it appeared his left skate caught in the ice as he tried to butterfly. He had to be helped off the ice favoring his leg.

"I was going back and I got tripped up and both of my skates were kind of caught," Zepp said.

"I couldn't stop myself from falling back and both my knees went down in a butterfly so I kind of tweaked it a little bit. They seem pretty optimistic about it but we'll know more in the morning when I come in for rehab."

The third period was chippy from the start and got real ugly at the 4:36 mark when Louisiana's Doug MacIver slammed Brent McDonald into the boards from behind and was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. McDonald stayed down on the ice for almost five minutes.

The Everblades took full advantage of the penalties, scoring first on a 5-on-3 when Church knocked in a rebound at the 5:22 mark after Berg's shot hit the right post. Brindley also got an assist.

Church struck again at the 6:25 mark on another rebound of a shot by Berg to tie the game at 5-5. Because of the five-minute major the Blades remained on the power play, and then got another 5-on-3 for 46 seconds as Kettles was called for delay of game at the 8:50 mark.

"That was a vicious hit on B-Mac and that definitely was the turning point because it fired us up," Berg said. "We had three unanswered from there and it's unfortunate he had to take that hit but we all seemed to be energized."

Berg scored from the right circle at the 10:04 mark to give Florida a 6-5 lead off assists from Brindley and Matt Pagnutti.

It was the most goals scored by the Everblades since the fourth game of the season against Mississippi on Oct. 29.



I'd suggest that they get an NHL goalie to sign a short contract, there's bound to be someone out there that would want some real game time. But then I thought - they wouldn't be around long enough since NHL camp will start on Wednesday. :laugh:

[Mona]

I'd suggest that they get an NHL goalie to sign a short contract, there's bound to be someone out there that would want some real game time. But then I thought - they wouldn't be around long enough since NHL camp will start on Wednesday. :laugh:

Girl if they gave awards for optimism, you would definitely be the recipient of many! ;)

Bad for Zepp and even worse for Kowalski.. ouch!!

[Mona]

I'd suggest that they get an NHL goalie to sign a short contract, there's bound to be someone out there that would want some real game time. But then I thought - they wouldn't be around long enough since NHL camp will start on Wednesday. :laugh:

Girl if they gave awards for optimism, you would definitely be the recipient of many! ;)

Bad for Zepp and even worse for Kowalski.. ouch!!

[NHLCanes]

I'm hearing the Blades have called up goalie Terry Dunbar from the SPHL's Knoxville Ice Bears. I can't find a press release on it yet though, and no word on who else they'll get.

[NHLCanes]

I'm hearing the Blades have called up goalie Terry Dunbar from the SPHL's Knoxville Ice Bears. I can't find a press release on it yet though, and no word on who else they'll get.

[NHLCanes]

Date : 1/31/2005
Subject : ’Blades sign goalie; make roster changes

Estero, FL – Florida Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming announced today that the team has signed goaltender Terry Dunbar to a contract. Dunbar will be in uniform for Florida’s game Tuesday against the Augusta Lynx. In addition, the Everblades have placed goaltenders Rob Zepp and Craig Kowalski on the injured reserve list. The 25-year-old Dunbar comes to the Everblades from the Knoxville Ice Bears of the eight-team Southern Professional Hockey League. In 16 games, he compiled a 12-4-0 record, with a 2.49 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. Dunbar is in his first professional season after spending four seasons at Marian College. In his four years at Marian, the Duluth, Minnesota native compiled a record of 49-36-6 in 91 games. Dunbar is the all-time wins leader in school history. Zepp and Kowalski both suffered injuries during Saturday night’s game vs. Louisiana. Zepp started the game and left with a strained MCL, and Kowalski aggravated a prior groin injury, although was able to finish the game. Both goaltenders were placed on the 7-day IR. In another move, defenseman Jared Newman was moved from the 7-day IR to the 30-day IR. Newman has not played since Jan. 7 because of a concussion. The Florida Everblades return to action Tuesday, February 1 when they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for Tuesday’s games. To purchase season or group tickets and reserve your piece of the action during the 2004-05 season call (239) 948-7825 or for single event tickets call Ticketmaster at (239) 334-3309. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events. Catch all the action with the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter on SportsRadio 770 AM, and tune in at 7:05 p.m. for the Florida Lottery pre-game show. Upcoming Schedule Tuesday, February 1 – Pre-game skate, 10 a.m.; Everblades vs. Lynx, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 2 – Practice, 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 4 – Everblades at Augusta, 7:35 p.m. Saturday, January 22 – Everblades at Augusta, 7:35 p.m.

http://www.floridaeverblades.com/everpre.asp?mse=2000&mit=1080

[NHLCanes]

Date : 1/31/2005
Subject : ’Blades sign goalie; make roster changes

Estero, FL – Florida Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming announced today that the team has signed goaltender Terry Dunbar to a contract. Dunbar will be in uniform for Florida’s game Tuesday against the Augusta Lynx. In addition, the Everblades have placed goaltenders Rob Zepp and Craig Kowalski on the injured reserve list. The 25-year-old Dunbar comes to the Everblades from the Knoxville Ice Bears of the eight-team Southern Professional Hockey League. In 16 games, he compiled a 12-4-0 record, with a 2.49 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. Dunbar is in his first professional season after spending four seasons at Marian College. In his four years at Marian, the Duluth, Minnesota native compiled a record of 49-36-6 in 91 games. Dunbar is the all-time wins leader in school history. Zepp and Kowalski both suffered injuries during Saturday night’s game vs. Louisiana. Zepp started the game and left with a strained MCL, and Kowalski aggravated a prior groin injury, although was able to finish the game. Both goaltenders were placed on the 7-day IR. In another move, defenseman Jared Newman was moved from the 7-day IR to the 30-day IR. Newman has not played since Jan. 7 because of a concussion. The Florida Everblades return to action Tuesday, February 1 when they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for Tuesday’s games. To purchase season or group tickets and reserve your piece of the action during the 2004-05 season call (239) 948-7825 or for single event tickets call Ticketmaster at (239) 334-3309. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events. Catch all the action with the voice of the Everblades Kevin Reiter on SportsRadio 770 AM, and tune in at 7:05 p.m. for the Florida Lottery pre-game show. Upcoming Schedule Tuesday, February 1 – Pre-game skate, 10 a.m.; Everblades vs. Lynx, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 2 – Practice, 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 4 – Everblades at Augusta, 7:35 p.m. Saturday, January 22 – Everblades at Augusta, 7:35 p.m.

http://www.floridaeverblades.com/everpre.asp?mse=2000&mit=1080

[nccanes]

Nice sources NHLCanes, you called that one right!

What a thrill for the kid. Hopefully it'll work out well for he and the 'Blades. I read somewhere that they will dress a staffer (former goalie) as the backup for Tuesday.

[nccanes]

Nice sources NHLCanes, you called that one right!

What a thrill for the kid. Hopefully it'll work out well for he and the 'Blades. I read somewhere that they will dress a staffer (former goalie) as the backup for Tuesday.

[NHLCanes]

Blades locate a new goalie

Dunbar recruited from lower-level Tenn. franchise

By ED REED
ereed@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on February 1, 2005

Newly signed rookie will start tonight dunbar

NEXT GAME
• Who: Augusta Lynx at Florida Everblades
• When: 7:30 tonight
• Where: Germain Arena, Estero
• Radio: WWCN-AM (770)
• Tickets: At the arena box office. Call 948-7825 for information.

Terry Dunbar was on the Knoxville (Tenn.) IceBears' team bus at about 9 p.m. Sunday, returning from a game in Fayetteville, N.C., when his coach, Jim Bermingham, told him he was needed in Florida.

Less than 21 hours later, Dunbar arrived in Southwest Florida and will be the starting goaltender for the Everblades against the Augusta Lynx at Germain Arena tonight.

Dunbar, a 25-year-old rookie, compiled a 12-4 record for Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League, which is a few notches below the ECHL in minor-league hockey, with a 2.49 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.

"It's a good opportunity to show what I got," said the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Dunbar. "It's nice because if I do well I'll be here longer than I thought. I packed pretty light. They told me to pack a bag and get down here."

Neither Florida coach Gerry Fleming nor general manager Craig Brush have seen Dunbar play. Not many scouts get up to Marian College, a Division III school in Fond du Lac, Wisc., where Dunbar spent the last four seasons and won a school-record 49 games, against 36 losses and six ties.

The Blades signed him on the strength of his statistics and the recommendation of Bermingham. "Jim called me back and said he deserves an opportunity," Fleming said.

Dunbar received his opportunity due to injuries to both of Florida's goalies. Rob Zepp injured his left knee Saturday night and Craig Kowalski, who was already nursing a sore left groin, hurt it worse after relieving Zepp against Louisiana. Zepp hopes to be back on the ice by next week, while Kowalski said his injury will keep him out a few weeks. Both goalies were placed on the seven-day injured reserve Monday.

With the Blades playing a game tonight, Brush said the team did not have much time to find a replacement. He and Fleming will re-evaluate the goalie situation after the game.

"He may stick around for a while," Fleming said. "We'll see how he plays."

Fleming said he has not chosen who will back up Dunbar. The team brought both of its emergency backup goaltenders — Germain Arena recreational director Mike Shields and Jason Provino, who works in the pro shop — to practice Monday.

"I watched them good and we'll see tomorrow," Fleming said.

Provino, 25, hopes he has the edge on the 45-year-old Shields for the honor of sitting on the Blades' bench.

"I'd like to think I have the upper hand, since I'm half his age," Provino said.

Ironically, Provino was sitting in Zepp's locker taking a brace off his left knee Monday. Provino sprained his left medial collateral ligament, the same one as Zepp, while playing during Florida's training camp in October. He sat out four months and just recently started skating again.

"It's fun and it's kind of getting there, living a dream, kind of," said Provino, who has been a Blades' emergency backup at times during the last two seasons. "You always want to play hockey when you're growing up, professionally, when you don't get the chance, and then you're thrown into a situation like this. It's fun."

Shields is the dean of Florida emergency goalies, now in his fifth season. He's been on the bench for more than a dozen Blades' games and doesn't care if he's there for another.

"I like the practices more than the games because you do something," Shields said.

• NOTES: Florida D Jared Newman was moved from the seven- to 30-day injured reserve with a concussion Monday. Newman said he'll see a doctor later this week and hopes to be cleared to start skating soon. ... The Blades (22-13-6) will face Augusta (14-23-5) in four of their next five games starting tonight. They will play at Augusta on Feb. 4, 5 and 11. Florida is 2-0-1 against the Lynx this season, 31-9-4 against them at Germain Arena and 31-9-4 versus the Lynx all time.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050201/SPORTS/502010426/1010

[NHLCanes]

Blades locate a new goalie

Dunbar recruited from lower-level Tenn. franchise

By ED REED
ereed@news-press.com
Published by news-press.com on February 1, 2005

Newly signed rookie will start tonight dunbar

NEXT GAME
• Who: Augusta Lynx at Florida Everblades
• When: 7:30 tonight
• Where: Germain Arena, Estero
• Radio: WWCN-AM (770)
• Tickets: At the arena box office. Call 948-7825 for information.

Terry Dunbar was on the Knoxville (Tenn.) IceBears' team bus at about 9 p.m. Sunday, returning from a game in Fayetteville, N.C., when his coach, Jim Bermingham, told him he was needed in Florida.

Less than 21 hours later, Dunbar arrived in Southwest Florida and will be the starting goaltender for the Everblades against the Augusta Lynx at Germain Arena tonight.

Dunbar, a 25-year-old rookie, compiled a 12-4 record for Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League, which is a few notches below the ECHL in minor-league hockey, with a 2.49 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.

"It's a good opportunity to show what I got," said the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Dunbar. "It's nice because if I do well I'll be here longer than I thought. I packed pretty light. They told me to pack a bag and get down here."

Neither Florida coach Gerry Fleming nor general manager Craig Brush have seen Dunbar play. Not many scouts get up to Marian College, a Division III school in Fond du Lac, Wisc., where Dunbar spent the last four seasons and won a school-record 49 games, against 36 losses and six ties.

The Blades signed him on the strength of his statistics and the recommendation of Bermingham. "Jim called me back and said he deserves an opportunity," Fleming said.

Dunbar received his opportunity due to injuries to both of Florida's goalies. Rob Zepp injured his left knee Saturday night and Craig Kowalski, who was already nursing a sore left groin, hurt it worse after relieving Zepp against Louisiana. Zepp hopes to be back on the ice by next week, while Kowalski said his injury will keep him out a few weeks. Both goalies were placed on the seven-day injured reserve Monday.

With the Blades playing a game tonight, Brush said the team did not have much time to find a replacement. He and Fleming will re-evaluate the goalie situation after the game.

"He may stick around for a while," Fleming said. "We'll see how he plays."

Fleming said he has not chosen who will back up Dunbar. The team brought both of its emergency backup goaltenders — Germain Arena recreational director Mike Shields and Jason Provino, who works in the pro shop — to practice Monday.

"I watched them good and we'll see tomorrow," Fleming said.

Provino, 25, hopes he has the edge on the 45-year-old Shields for the honor of sitting on the Blades' bench.

"I'd like to think I have the upper hand, since I'm half his age," Provino said.

Ironically, Provino was sitting in Zepp's locker taking a brace off his left knee Monday. Provino sprained his left medial collateral ligament, the same one as Zepp, while playing during Florida's training camp in October. He sat out four months and just recently started skating again.

"It's fun and it's kind of getting there, living a dream, kind of," said Provino, who has been a Blades' emergency backup at times during the last two seasons. "You always want to play hockey when you're growing up, professionally, when you don't get the chance, and then you're thrown into a situation like this. It's fun."

Shields is the dean of Florida emergency goalies, now in his fifth season. He's been on the bench for more than a dozen Blades' games and doesn't care if he's there for another.

"I like the practices more than the games because you do something," Shields said.

• NOTES: Florida D Jared Newman was moved from the seven- to 30-day injured reserve with a concussion Monday. Newman said he'll see a doctor later this week and hopes to be cleared to start skating soon. ... The Blades (22-13-6) will face Augusta (14-23-5) in four of their next five games starting tonight. They will play at Augusta on Feb. 4, 5 and 11. Florida is 2-0-1 against the Lynx this season, 31-9-4 against them at Germain Arena and 31-9-4 versus the Lynx all time.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050201/SPORTS/502010426/1010

[nccanes]

The Blades sent Dunbar back to Knoxville and made a trade with Atlantic City for a goalie.

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades announced that they have traded defenseman Tom Reimann to Atlantic City in exchange for goaltender Tyler MacKay and the rights to forward Jim Henkel. The team also announced it has released goaltender Terry Dunbar, who will return to Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

MacKay, who will be in uniform at Augusta on Friday, is 0-4-0 with a goals-against average of 3.41 and a save percentage of .866 in four games with Atlantic City.

In 2003-04, the 5-11 and 165-pound MacKay was 17-5-2 with a goals-against average of 2.24 and a save percentage of .921 in 26 games with Wheeling.


Two wins to start his Blades career (faced 48 shots tonight). Tonight Surma wins it very late in OT.

[nccanes]

The Blades sent Dunbar back to Knoxville and made a trade with Atlantic City for a goalie.

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades announced that they have traded defenseman Tom Reimann to Atlantic City in exchange for goaltender Tyler MacKay and the rights to forward Jim Henkel. The team also announced it has released goaltender Terry Dunbar, who will return to Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

MacKay, who will be in uniform at Augusta on Friday, is 0-4-0 with a goals-against average of 3.41 and a save percentage of .866 in four games with Atlantic City.

In 2003-04, the 5-11 and 165-pound MacKay was 17-5-2 with a goals-against average of 2.24 and a save percentage of .921 in 26 games with Wheeling.


Two wins to start his Blades career (faced 48 shots tonight). Tonight Surma wins it very late in OT.

[nccanes]

That MacKay trade has worked out well for the Blades. He's played every game since the trade. Got his first shutout on Fri night in an 8-0 blowout of the Wildcatters.

Zepp finally returned after his injury and played last night. Figures for him they are flat and despite nearly 60 sog for the Blades, they end regulation and OT 1-1. Went to the 7th shooters in the SO and Saviano finally scored and Zepp stopped the 7th Texas shooter. I'm sure he's breathing a sigh of relief.

Listening to the SO over the 'net last night made me wonder how Chuck would call one. I'm not sure you'd know for a few add'l seconds if someone scored or not because of the way Chuck gets so worked up, lol.

Anyway, the Blades look to be firmly in the playoffs.

[nccanes]

That MacKay trade has worked out well for the Blades. He's played every game since the trade. Got his first shutout on Fri night in an 8-0 blowout of the Wildcatters.

Zepp finally returned after his injury and played last night. Figures for him they are flat and despite nearly 60 sog for the Blades, they end regulation and OT 1-1. Went to the 7th shooters in the SO and Saviano finally scored and Zepp stopped the 7th Texas shooter. I'm sure he's breathing a sigh of relief.

Listening to the SO over the 'net last night made me wonder how Chuck would call one. I'm not sure you'd know for a few add'l seconds if someone scored or not because of the way Chuck gets so worked up, lol.

Anyway, the Blades look to be firmly in the playoffs.

[nccanes]

That MacKay trade has worked out well for the Blades. He's played every game since the trade. Got his first shutout on Fri night in an 8-0 blowout of the Wildcatters.

Zepp finally returned after his injury and played last night. Figures for him they are flat and despite nearly 60 sog for the Blades, they end regulation and OT 1-1. Went to the 7th shooters in the SO and Saviano finally scored and Zepp stopped the 7th Texas shooter. I'm sure he's breathing a sigh of relief.

Listening to the SO over the 'net last night made me wonder how Chuck would call one. I'm not sure you'd know for a few add'l seconds if someone scored or not because of the way Chuck gets so worked up, lol.

Anyway, the Blades look to be firmly in the playoffs.

[nccanes]

Blades lost to the Sea Wolves and the Battaglia Bros last night, 3-4. The winning goalie for Miss. was none other than Randy Petruk, so I suppose there are some happy former Blades/Canes.

Zepp lost in his 2nd outing since his injury, allowing 4 goals on 22 shots (I think).

Bates had another assist, I think he's got 6 points in 5 games or something (1 goal).

[nccanes]

Blades lost to the Sea Wolves and the Battaglia Bros last night, 3-4. The winning goalie for Miss. was none other than Randy Petruk, so I suppose there are some happy former Blades/Canes.

Zepp lost in his 2nd outing since his injury, allowing 4 goals on 22 shots (I think).

Bates had another assist, I think he's got 6 points in 5 games or something (1 goal).

[nccanes]

Blades lost to the Sea Wolves and the Battaglia Bros last night, 3-4. The winning goalie for Miss. was none other than Randy Petruk, so I suppose there are some happy former Blades/Canes.

Zepp lost in his 2nd outing since his injury, allowing 4 goals on 22 shots (I think).

Bates had another assist, I think he's got 6 points in 5 games or something (1 goal).

[nccanes]

The Blades are going strong, won 5 of the last 6.

Shane Hnidy's visa issue was worked out and he played last night. Apparently it was unknown to the fans until he showed up dressed.

Fast was sent back to Lowell apparently.

[nccanes]

The Blades are going strong, won 5 of the last 6.

Shane Hnidy's visa issue was worked out and he played last night. Apparently it was unknown to the fans until he showed up dressed.

Fast was sent back to Lowell apparently.

[nccanes]

The Blades are going strong, won 5 of the last 6.

Shane Hnidy's visa issue was worked out and he played last night. Apparently it was unknown to the fans until he showed up dressed.

Fast was sent back to Lowell apparently.

[nccanes]

This is awesome! They really have a great thing going down in Florida!

ECHL: Everblades complete sweep of IceGators
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
March 7, 2005

ESTERO — In a unique show of appreciation, the Florida Everblades rewarded and then recognized their fans Sunday night at Germain Arena.

First, the Everblades completed a weekend sweep of the Louisiana IceGators with a 4-2 victory, also sweeping the six-game season series in the process. They outshot Louisiana, 51-18, and defenseman Simon Tremblay's game-winning goal came on the 50th shot of the night at the 18:44 mark of the third period on a power play.

Brent McDonald added an empty-netter with one second remaining to allow Florida (33-17-8) to improve to 7-1-2 in its last 10 games, with five of those wins coming on a 12-day road trip. Those nine road games are what led to the team doing something it has never done in its seven-year history in the ECHL, which was to honor the home fans after the game.

Head coach Gerry Fleming grabbed the public address announcer's microphone, and with the players forming a circle at center ice, announced the game puck was being given to the fans.

Even though the Blades have been just as successful on the road, going 16-9-3 so far compared to 17-8-5 at home, they gained even more respect for the type of support they are getting at home after their most recent trip.

"We talked about it before the weekend, that we went to some places on the road where there were some empty buildings and not a very good atmosphere to play in," said veteran forward Brad Church, who played in Reading, Pa., last season with the Royals. "We came home here and the place is rocking and people are screaming. The support that we get here is second to none in the league, and we just wanted to make sure they know that they're appreciated."

Florida's next game is back on the road at Mississippi on Friday night, then the same two teams come back to Germain Arena on Saturday.

Kris Vernarsky scored the other two goals for the Blades, one on a power play 14:24 into the first period that tied the game at 1-1, and the other 1:43 into the second period on a wrister from the left circle that made it a 2-1 hockey game. He was about the only player able to figure out IceGators goaltender Kyle Kettles.

Kettles stopped 47 shots on the night, including 23 in the second period to allow Louisiana (19-31-6) to stay close. And at the 18:14 mark, Jim Shepherd made Kettles' effort count with a big goal off a turnover to tie the game at 2-2 off assists from Chris Thompson and Pascal Pelletier. Florida's 24 shots in the period were a season high.

"Kettles played phenomenal and that's his job. He had a great game and it was good to see," IceGators coach Todd Gordon said. "We battled hard, but Florida's got a great team. When they get the puck cycling they're so good at it, running picks and chipping pucks to open areas, it's tough to contain that."

An untimely slashing penalty on Kettles with under two minutes to play gave the Everblades a power play and they took advantage, as Tremblay rifled a shot from the left point that deflected off an IceGator defender and into the back of the net.

With Pensacola pulling out a 3-0 win at Mississippi earlier in the day, the Everblades still remain in second place in the American Conference's South Division, nine points behind the Ice Pilots with 14 games to play — six more at home.

[nccanes]

This is awesome! They really have a great thing going down in Florida!

ECHL: Everblades complete sweep of IceGators
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
March 7, 2005

ESTERO — In a unique show of appreciation, the Florida Everblades rewarded and then recognized their fans Sunday night at Germain Arena.

First, the Everblades completed a weekend sweep of the Louisiana IceGators with a 4-2 victory, also sweeping the six-game season series in the process. They outshot Louisiana, 51-18, and defenseman Simon Tremblay's game-winning goal came on the 50th shot of the night at the 18:44 mark of the third period on a power play.

Brent McDonald added an empty-netter with one second remaining to allow Florida (33-17-8) to improve to 7-1-2 in its last 10 games, with five of those wins coming on a 12-day road trip. Those nine road games are what led to the team doing something it has never done in its seven-year history in the ECHL, which was to honor the home fans after the game.

Head coach Gerry Fleming grabbed the public address announcer's microphone, and with the players forming a circle at center ice, announced the game puck was being given to the fans.

Even though the Blades have been just as successful on the road, going 16-9-3 so far compared to 17-8-5 at home, they gained even more respect for the type of support they are getting at home after their most recent trip.

"We talked about it before the weekend, that we went to some places on the road where there were some empty buildings and not a very good atmosphere to play in," said veteran forward Brad Church, who played in Reading, Pa., last season with the Royals. "We came home here and the place is rocking and people are screaming. The support that we get here is second to none in the league, and we just wanted to make sure they know that they're appreciated."

Florida's next game is back on the road at Mississippi on Friday night, then the same two teams come back to Germain Arena on Saturday.

Kris Vernarsky scored the other two goals for the Blades, one on a power play 14:24 into the first period that tied the game at 1-1, and the other 1:43 into the second period on a wrister from the left circle that made it a 2-1 hockey game. He was about the only player able to figure out IceGators goaltender Kyle Kettles.

Kettles stopped 47 shots on the night, including 23 in the second period to allow Louisiana (19-31-6) to stay close. And at the 18:14 mark, Jim Shepherd made Kettles' effort count with a big goal off a turnover to tie the game at 2-2 off assists from Chris Thompson and Pascal Pelletier. Florida's 24 shots in the period were a season high.

"Kettles played phenomenal and that's his job. He had a great game and it was good to see," IceGators coach Todd Gordon said. "We battled hard, but Florida's got a great team. When they get the puck cycling they're so good at it, running picks and chipping pucks to open areas, it's tough to contain that."

An untimely slashing penalty on Kettles with under two minutes to play gave the Everblades a power play and they took advantage, as Tremblay rifled a shot from the left point that deflected off an IceGator defender and into the back of the net.

With Pensacola pulling out a 3-0 win at Mississippi earlier in the day, the Everblades still remain in second place in the American Conference's South Division, nine points behind the Ice Pilots with 14 games to play — six more at home.

[nccanes]

This is awesome! They really have a great thing going down in Florida!

ECHL: Everblades complete sweep of IceGators
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
March 7, 2005

ESTERO — In a unique show of appreciation, the Florida Everblades rewarded and then recognized their fans Sunday night at Germain Arena.

First, the Everblades completed a weekend sweep of the Louisiana IceGators with a 4-2 victory, also sweeping the six-game season series in the process. They outshot Louisiana, 51-18, and defenseman Simon Tremblay's game-winning goal came on the 50th shot of the night at the 18:44 mark of the third period on a power play.

Brent McDonald added an empty-netter with one second remaining to allow Florida (33-17-8) to improve to 7-1-2 in its last 10 games, with five of those wins coming on a 12-day road trip. Those nine road games are what led to the team doing something it has never done in its seven-year history in the ECHL, which was to honor the home fans after the game.

Head coach Gerry Fleming grabbed the public address announcer's microphone, and with the players forming a circle at center ice, announced the game puck was being given to the fans.

Even though the Blades have been just as successful on the road, going 16-9-3 so far compared to 17-8-5 at home, they gained even more respect for the type of support they are getting at home after their most recent trip.

"We talked about it before the weekend, that we went to some places on the road where there were some empty buildings and not a very good atmosphere to play in," said veteran forward Brad Church, who played in Reading, Pa., last season with the Royals. "We came home here and the place is rocking and people are screaming. The support that we get here is second to none in the league, and we just wanted to make sure they know that they're appreciated."

Florida's next game is back on the road at Mississippi on Friday night, then the same two teams come back to Germain Arena on Saturday.

Kris Vernarsky scored the other two goals for the Blades, one on a power play 14:24 into the first period that tied the game at 1-1, and the other 1:43 into the second period on a wrister from the left circle that made it a 2-1 hockey game. He was about the only player able to figure out IceGators goaltender Kyle Kettles.

Kettles stopped 47 shots on the night, including 23 in the second period to allow Louisiana (19-31-6) to stay close. And at the 18:14 mark, Jim Shepherd made Kettles' effort count with a big goal off a turnover to tie the game at 2-2 off assists from Chris Thompson and Pascal Pelletier. Florida's 24 shots in the period were a season high.

"Kettles played phenomenal and that's his job. He had a great game and it was good to see," IceGators coach Todd Gordon said. "We battled hard, but Florida's got a great team. When they get the puck cycling they're so good at it, running picks and chipping pucks to open areas, it's tough to contain that."

An untimely slashing penalty on Kettles with under two minutes to play gave the Everblades a power play and they took advantage, as Tremblay rifled a shot from the left point that deflected off an IceGator defender and into the back of the net.

With Pensacola pulling out a 3-0 win at Mississippi earlier in the day, the Everblades still remain in second place in the American Conference's South Division, nine points behind the Ice Pilots with 14 games to play — six more at home.

[NHLCanes]

I was just watching News World International (NWI) on Directv (channel 366) and they had a nice report on the Blades done by the CBC. They talked about how popular the team and the game is in the Naples area, and had an interview with Brad Church and some game footage of the team. It was on the International Newsfirst broadcast at the very end. It just went off at 2:30 but the show broadcasts every hour according to the guide. and they usually replay the reports so I think they'll be showing it throughout the day if anyone wants to try to catch it.

[NHLCanes]

I was just watching News World International (NWI) on Directv (channel 366) and they had a nice report on the Blades done by the CBC. They talked about how popular the team and the game is in the Naples area, and had an interview with Brad Church and some game footage of the team. It was on the International Newsfirst broadcast at the very end. It just went off at 2:30 but the show broadcasts every hour according to the guide. and they usually replay the reports so I think they'll be showing it throughout the day if anyone wants to try to catch it.

[NHLCanes]

I was just watching News World International (NWI) on Directv (channel 366) and they had a nice report on the Blades done by the CBC. They talked about how popular the team and the game is in the Naples area, and had an interview with Brad Church and some game footage of the team. It was on the International Newsfirst broadcast at the very end. It just went off at 2:30 but the show broadcasts every hour according to the guide. and they usually replay the reports so I think they'll be showing it throughout the day if anyone wants to try to catch it.

[nccanes]

Blades eek out a win last night (vs. the Sea Wolves and Battaglia Bros.). Scored the equalizing goal with 9 seconds to go and won in OT. Suave was in goal for Miss.

Both teams have a helluva back to back, going from Biloxi to Estero and playing again tonight.

[nccanes]

Blades eek out a win last night (vs. the Sea Wolves and Battaglia Bros.). Scored the equalizing goal with 9 seconds to go and won in OT. Suave was in goal for Miss.

Both teams have a helluva back to back, going from Biloxi to Estero and playing again tonight.

[nccanes]

Blades eek out a win last night (vs. the Sea Wolves and Battaglia Bros.). Scored the equalizing goal with 9 seconds to go and won in OT. Suave was in goal for Miss.

Both teams have a helluva back to back, going from Biloxi to Estero and playing again tonight.

[Turbulence]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

[Turbulence]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

[Turbulence]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

[nccanes]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

Oops, sorry to get your hopes up with my misspelling. ;)

Alas it was Phillipe Sauve. :beatup:

[nccanes]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

Oops, sorry to get your hopes up with my misspelling. ;)

Alas it was Phillipe Sauve. :beatup:

[nccanes]

Suave was in goal for Miss.

Rico Suave? :D

Oops, sorry to get your hopes up with my misspelling. ;)

Alas it was Phillipe Sauve. :beatup:

[nccanes]

Blades win the 2nd half of the back to back. Zepp played (only the 2nd time since return from injury I think) and got a shutout. Former Blade/Cane prospect Randy Petruk was in goal for Miss.

An article I read talked about how the 2 teams buses followed each other from Biloxi to Estero thru the night. It suggested maybe the Blades slept better, lol. A LONG ride for sure!

[nccanes]

Blades win the 2nd half of the back to back. Zepp played (only the 2nd time since return from injury I think) and got a shutout. Former Blade/Cane prospect Randy Petruk was in goal for Miss.

An article I read talked about how the 2 teams buses followed each other from Biloxi to Estero thru the night. It suggested maybe the Blades slept better, lol. A LONG ride for sure!

[nccanes]

Blades win the 2nd half of the back to back. Zepp played (only the 2nd time since return from injury I think) and got a shutout. Former Blade/Cane prospect Randy Petruk was in goal for Miss.

An article I read talked about how the 2 teams buses followed each other from Biloxi to Estero thru the night. It suggested maybe the Blades slept better, lol. A LONG ride for sure!

[nccanes]

The Everblades have traded for the rights to Chris Madden - though it appears he'll finish out the year in Providence (he shut out the Monsters recently).

Madden was originally drafted by the Canes in '98, but never signed. Interesting to see him back in the 'system' - well not the 'system', but the vertical organizational structure, lol.

Though I suppose with no NHL, the Flames leaving Lowell, and PK selling the Everblades, who really knows what "the system" will look like in 6 months. :crazy:

[nccanes]

The Everblades have traded for the rights to Chris Madden - though it appears he'll finish out the year in Providence (he shut out the Monsters recently).

Madden was originally drafted by the Canes in '98, but never signed. Interesting to see him back in the 'system' - well not the 'system', but the vertical organizational structure, lol.

Though I suppose with no NHL, the Flames leaving Lowell, and PK selling the Everblades, who really knows what "the system" will look like in 6 months. :crazy:

[nccanes]

The Everblades have traded for the rights to Chris Madden - though it appears he'll finish out the year in Providence (he shut out the Monsters recently).

Madden was originally drafted by the Canes in '98, but never signed. Interesting to see him back in the 'system' - well not the 'system', but the vertical organizational structure, lol.

Though I suppose with no NHL, the Flames leaving Lowell, and PK selling the Everblades, who really knows what "the system" will look like in 6 months. :crazy: