Florida Eels Elite team had an impressive opening weekend, as they claim the weekend with two wins against the Atlanta Mad Hatters. Florida Eels Elite put their three weeks of intensive pre- season training to the test this past weekend, as they opened with a double header against the Atlanta Mad Hatters. Eels veterans and newcomers alike were dialed in and focused as they prepared for this weekends’ events, and were ready to make it known the Florida Eels Elite intends to be a contender this season.
Game One Recap:
Opening weekend for the Florida Eels Elite began on Saturday September 14, 2024 with the puck drop at 7:00 pm. The Florida Eels gained an extraordinary 6-2 WIN over the Mad Hatters. With New Jeresey native, Ethan Rotante, between the pipes for the first time this season for the Florida Eels, the players lined up to take the ice. The game opened with the first goal of the season scored at 16:08 in the first by rookie, former Florida Warrior, Dominick Dantona, assisted by Ty Elzinga and Colin McMahon. The Atlanta Mad Hatters responded with their first goal at 19:22 scored by Andrew Hale. The game was tied 1-1 at the end of the first. At 2:46 in the second period, four-year Eels veteran, and Canadian native Jackson Carnes scored the second point for the Florida Eels, goal assisted by Paxton Campbell and Asher Hamlin. Goal three was grabbed by the Florida Eels at 9:35 of the second period, scored by Swedish native and Eels rookie, Filip Nyberg, goal assisted by Yiorgos Bikakis and Dominic Doyle. Eels fourth goal was secured at 15:43 of the second period, scored by Eels Rookie and Central Florida native, Asher Hamlin assisted by Tyson Gagnon. The Eels lead the game 4-1 at the end of the second period. At 7:05 in the third, Eels second year veteran and South Florida native, Zayn Haddon-Harris , assisted by Sam Kleimen-Lee and Jackson Carnes, slid the puck into the net to secure the Eels fifth goal of the game. At 13:23 in the third period, Eels rookie and Candian native, Konnor Betrand, assisted by Yiorgos Bikakis, and Dominc Doyle secured the Eels sixth and final goal of the night. The Mad Hatters, grabbed their second goal of the evening, scored by Joseph Rebone at 16:31. The Eels secured a predominant 6-2 over the Mad Hatters, and the ignition was lit.
Game Two Recap:
After an impressive lead on Saturday morning. the Florida Eels Elite returned on Sunday, September 15th, 2024 to take on the Atlanta Mad Hatters. The Eels had a fire in their blood, and an ache in their bones to grab, the second win-sweeping the Atlanta Mad Hatters in the opening weekend. This time, Eels Goaltender and Bulgarian native, Filip Vitanov, was set between the pipes and players lined up to face off. At 1:06 in the first the Atlanta Mad Hatters Ethan Barber, scored the first goal of the game and grabbed the lead over the Eels. At 4:06 in the first the Eels responded as Florida native, Robert Gull assisted by Stepan Kuznets, and Tyson Gagnon tied the game 1-1. At 6:06 in the first period, Eels second year veteran and Fort Myers native, Dominic Doyle assisted by Filip Nyberg and Yiorgos Bikakis, scored the Eels second goal. Eels now in the lead 2-1. At 12:03 in the first Canadian native, Tyson Gagnon assisted by Stepan Kuzents and Sam Kleimen-Lee grabbed the Eels third goal, taking the Eels lead 3-1. The Atlanta Mad Hatters, responded at 14:03 in the first period, when Onrii Dalgity, scored the second goal for the Atlanta Mad Haters. The game was at a close 3-2 at the end of the first period. As the second period began, the Atlanta Mad Hatters Andrew Hale scored, tying up the game at 2:47. At 13:07, Atlanta Mad Hatters, Onrii Dalgity grabbed his second goal of the game, and the Atlanta Mad Hatters gained the lead, for the first time over the Florida Eels. However, second year veteran and Central Florida native, Yiorgos Bikakis, assisted by Zachary Bahret and Filip Nyberg, responed quickly at 13:41 tying up the game once again. At the end of the second the Florida Eels and the Atlanta Mad Hatters were locked into a stalemate 4-4. Both teams came out ready, and determined to take the game victory in the third period. At 6:39, four-year veteran and Canadian native, Jackson Carnes assisted by Paxton Campbell and Robert Gull claimed the Eels fifth goal. The Eels maintained the lead for the remainder of the game, winning 5-4 against the Atlanta Mad Hatters.
The Florida Eels veterans and newcomers alike made their presence known as they scored a total of 11 goals, over the course of two games. New talent flourished as returning talents continued to prove their worth on the ice. It should be noted that the Mad Hatters squad was solid. This was one of the best Elite teams the Florida Eels have played against from Atlanta over the last several years. Their players had solid skill set and were very disciplined. These were not easy games. We were very proud of the Eels determination fortitude and unwavering focus to stay the course. It was an impressive showing of the Eels ability to dominate and overcome obstacles to come back and win strong. The Eels Elite definitely left their mark, stating they will be a team to contend with this season. The Eels Elite, will play their next games in a little over a week, when they head to the Southeast Showcase in Virginia.
