Well the Florida Eels Premier team is back and looking to present an exciting season. The Eels host many new faces. Their first test was against the Tampa Juniors in their season opener at Advent Health Center in Wesley Chapel (Tampa) Florida. The Eels with many new faces – 14 new players. Compared to Tampa who has 18 veteran returners. Unlike previous seasons we did not get the chance to scrimmage the local college teams such as FGCU, the University of Tampa, the University of South Florida and others. Moreover, the Eels had 11 rookies so there is a learning curve here. So, it was a case of first impression for us. We had a feeling out process.
The coaches were very happy with the foundation. The skill set was high, and the effort and determination were present and most of all, the boys played with a high compete level. But the systems were a bit off. The cohesiveness that the Eels are known for was a bit absent. It will take a bit of time being so many new guys, but we know what was there. In fact, the Eels actually controlled the play and out played Tampa 90%of the game. It was a few lapse moments and a timing or two that cost us. You cannot make those mistakes against a veteran and experienced team like Tampa without paying the price.
The coaches had a short turnaround time (less than 24 hours) and regrouped the guys. And that we did. We played the Blades at home for our home opener. And the boys came out on fire. The Eels lit the lamp with only 10 seconds into the game and then struck again with only 17 seconds into the game. In the end the Eels down the Blades 6-4. Here we saw a game with a familiar Eels lethal attack, an extremely aggressive fore-check and their patterned smothering back check. We still see areas of improvement. Of course, It was only our 2ndgame. Indeed, we have quite a few new guys and rookies but that is what our coaches do best. Our objective is the develop players to advance to College.
This week we have a pair of games against the Jr. Blades Friday and Saturday games at Hertz Arena. No doubt the Blades will be looking to avenge their losses from last weekend against the Tampa Juniors and the Florida Eels. The Eels are looking to gain some more day light in the standings and close the gap with Tampa. If you are in the area please join us, otherwise tune in to HockeyTV.
Summary Score Card of Weekend Games.
Florida Eels 3 at Tampa Bay Juniors 5 – Status: Final
Saturday, September 19, 2020 – Advent Health Center Ice
Florida Eels 1 1 1 – 3
Tampa Bay Juniors 1 0 4 – 5
1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Roost 1 (Espinasse, Goral), 8:12. 2, Tampa Bay Juniors, Lucas 3 (Frenkel), 16:53. Penalties-Espinasse Eel (elbowing), 2:58; Barrington Tbj (tripping), 3:28; Chadwell Tbj (slashing), 15:02; Maroszek Eel (holding the stick), 16:53; Flidr Tbj (roughing), 20:00.
2nd Period-3, Florida Eels, Podrezov 1 (Court), 0:23 (PP). Penalties-Walker Tbj (cross-checking), 6:44; Wawrzkiewicz Tbj (tripping), 15:20.
3rd Period-4, Tampa Bay Juniors, Esposito 1 (Johnson, Reed), 0:40. 5, Tampa Bay Juniors, Anderson 1 (Lucas, Frenkel), 4:27 (PP). 6, Tampa Bay Juniors, Johnson 2 (Anderson), 14:02 (SH). 7, Florida Eels, Zebley 1 (Maroszek), 15:10 (PP). 8, Tampa Bay Juniors, Courneya 1 (Stouffer, Wawrzkiewicz), 19:27. Penalties-Castonguay Eel (roughing, roughing), 3:24; Kaebel Tbj (roughing), 3:24; Walker Tbj (major -high-sticking), 10:31.
Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 5-11-6-22. Tampa Bay Juniors 11-11-16-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 2 / 6; Tampa Bay Juniors 1 / 3.
Goalies-Florida Eels, Caron 1-1-0-0 (38 shots-33 saves). Tampa Bay Juniors, Kujawski 2-0-0-0 (22 shots-19 saves).
Florida Junior Blades 4 at Florida Eels 6 – Status: Final
Sunday, September 20, 2020 – Fort Myers Skatium
Florida Junior Blades 3 1 0 – 4
Florida Eels 3 1 2 – 6
1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Roost 2 (Espinasse, Voyda), 0:10. 2, Florida Eels, Podrezov 2 (Zebley, Dill), 0:17. 3, Florida Junior Blades, Walters 1 (Weingartner, Fata), 4:36. 4, Florida Eels, Goral 1 (Roost, Court), 9:02. 5, Florida Junior Blades, Weingartner 1 (Lindholm), 15:02. 6, Florida Junior Blades, Lindholm 1 (Fata), 15:36 (PP). Penalties-Maynard Fjb (tripping), 13:31; Goral Eel (hooking), 14:28; Wooldridge Fjb (roughing, roughing), 16:01; Caravella Eel (roughing), 16:01; Espinasse Eel (tripping), 19:05; Voyda Eel (major -charging, game misconduct), 19:05.
2nd Period-7, Florida Junior Blades, Weingartner 2 (Lindholm, Fata), 1:04 (PP). 8, Florida Eels, Dill 1 (Podrezov, Bregante), 18:02 (PP). Penalties-Humble Eel (tripping), 4:18; Zebley Eel (tripping), 7:50; Goral Eel (tripping), 11:26; Blake Fjb (holding), 13:58; Fata Fjb (slashing), 16:15.
3rd Period-9, Florida Eels, Zebley 2 (Maroszek, Bregante), 12:05. 10, Florida Eels, Jankauskas 1 (McNeish, Swygert), 12:21. Penalties-Lindholm Fjb (high-sticking), 3:15; Caravella Eel (tripping), 5:33; McGovern Fjb (slashing), 9:16; Gay Eel (high-sticking), 9:16; Walters Fjb (roughing, roughing, game misconduct), 16:51; Podrezov Eel (roughing, roughing, game misconduct), 16:51.
Shots on Goal-Florida Junior Blades 15-18-8-41. Florida Eels 14-13-14-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Junior Blades 2 / 0; Florida Eels 1 / 0.
Goalies-Florida Junior Blades, Wise 0-2-0-0 (41 shots-35 saves). Florida Eels, Caron 1-1-0-0 (41 shots-37 saves).
