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The Florida Eels Premier Team Put On A Full Court Press for the Second Straight Game Against the Mad Hatters.

 

On Saturday, the Eels scored 6 goals against the Mad Hatters and allowed a stingy 2 for a total of 13 goals in two games. They allowed just 4 for a 9-goal differential so far on the weekend. They have dominated play throughout the series. The Eels simply have so many different weapons. From a full blown aerial attack, of high flying forwards,  to   “ground  forces, along the boards and in the crease,  to a lethal special teams – be it power play or shorthanded goals, or a shutdown penalty kill. The Eels continue a very impressive performance on every inch on the ice. They pounded close to 40 shots on the Mad Hatters goalie. Once again, Alex Caron played specular in net turning away close to 30 shots.

 

The two squads complete their 3-game series Sunday. Drop of puck 12:15 pm.

 

Scoring went as follows:

 

Florida Eels 6 at Atlanta Mad Hatters 2 – Status: Final
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – Atlanta Ice House

Florida Eels 2 0 4 – 6
Atlanta Mad Hatters 0 1 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Voyda 3 (Patterson, Karlstrom), 11:44 (PP). 2, Florida Eels, McCormick 1 (Haddon-Harris, Gaudet), 19:07. Penalties-Gallagher Atl (high-sticking), 10:14; Haddon-Harris Eel (tripping), 10:58; Whelton Atl (cross-checking), 11:25; Graham Atl (elbowing), 13:36; Gallagher Atl (slashing), 20:00.

2nd Period-3, Atlanta Mad Hatters, Graham 5 (Gallagher, Zamborsky), 7:46. Penalties-Rosansky Eel (slashing), 2:52; Hambling Eel (tripping), 6:13; Karlstrom Eel (hooking), 8:19; Whelton Atl (tripping), 9:53; Rosansky Eel (unsportsmanlike conduct), 12:44; Hendrick Atl (unsportsmanlike conduct), 12:44; Zebley Eel (roughing), 18:02; Grajewski Atl (major -hitting from behind, game misconduct), 18:02; Haddon-Harris Eel (hooking), 18:50.

3rd Period-4, Florida Eels, Petersen 1 (DavIdson, Haddon-Harris), 4:35. 5, Atlanta Mad Hatters, Washington 1 (Graham), 5:28. 6, Florida Eels, Rosansky 5 (Patterson), 10:25. 7, Florida Eels, Rosansky 6 (Moore, Svoboda), 14:31. 8, Florida Eels, Patterson 11 (Haddon-Harris), 15:05. Penalties-Shepherd Eel (misconduct-dispute referee’s judgment/ruling), 7:38; Petersen Eel (hooking), 11:42; Hambling Eel (high-sticking), 15:48; Gallagher Atl (misconduct-dispute referee’s judgment/ruling), 15:48; DavIdson Eel (bench -too many players on the ice), 17:56.

Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 12-9-18-39. Atlanta Mad Hatters 8-10-8-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 1 / 0; Atlanta Mad Hatters 0 / 0.
Goalies-Florida Eels, Caron 7-0-0-0 (26 shots-24 saves). Atlanta Mad Hatters, Vallorani 0-3-0-0 (39 shots-33 saves).

The Florida Eels Premier team came alive on Sunday with their 6-3 resounding win over the Tampa Bay Juniors. They inched so close to over taking 1st place. Now they are just 2 points out of first in the Florida Division. The Eels just came off their first regulation loss of the season against the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday night. In Friday’s game, the Eels played to a 3-2 game before pulling its goalie in the final minute but were not able to convert a goal and the Juniors scored an empty netter to make it 4-2 final. Simply put on Friday the Eels Premier team did not have it. They did not perform up to their standard.  They did not play their style. They had a strong first period but thawed their attack in the 2nd and 3rd stanza. From our coaches to our players there were no excuses. They knew it. You could see it in their faces the disappointment in their own game. They took accountability. On the way home back from Tampa you could hear the boys deliberate talk of what they needed to do collectively as a team and individually as players to ensure this won’t happen again and more specifically Sunday.

 

Sunday the Eels got to avenge their Friday night loss with their 6-3 win over the same Tampa squad. The first period the Eels were in somewhat neutral. Their game was still moderate. In fact, not only did Tampa draw first blood in the 1st period it did not take long for the Juniors to add to their lead in the beginning of the second, by scoring their 2nd of the afternoon. However, the Eels did not panic. They are known for having “ice water in their veins” The Eels were given the message by Coach Scarpaci in between the 1st and 2nd, and they responded with 3 solid goals. You could see the Eels were back in sync and they found their game. Their forecheck looked aggressive. They smothered the Juniors in the back end. The Goaltending by Alex Caron came alive. You could the game was about to be taken over by the Eels and in a big way.

 

In the 3rd period we saw the Eels light things up even more adding 3 more goals to their tally including a Hat Trick by Collin Patterson and the Juniors managed a dismal one to make the final 6-3. It was an impressive win for the Eels. No doubt as a general rule it is not easy to bounce back from a loss like Friday but this Eels team is not “Ordinary” They are built solid from the foundation up. They are solid through and through. They have skill, resilience, fortitude, determination, character, and they have all bought in. These boys are on a mission.

 

We are extremely proud of the Premier team in their efforts and performance Sunday. They learned form their loss Friday night. In fact it is often a quote GM Scarpaci echoes,  “you learn twice as much from your losses than your wins.” Friday night’s loss was a teaching tool.  Sunday’s performance  goes well beyond the win. It is who we are and who they are. It is part of the Eels DNA.

Alexandre Caron sets new record in the Florida Eels Premier team for all time wins for a Premier Goalie at 22 wins. It was a special win for Caron defeating the Tampa Juniors 6-3 on Sunday as he surpassed Jakub Kostelny’s 21 game win record set 2020-21 season.  Interesting that is the season Caron made his debut with the Eels. This season thus far Alex has won all 6 games he started. He has an impressive 1.86 GAA and boast a .939sav%. Alex is considered the top netminder in the USPHL. He played incredible last year in the playoffs and in Nationals. He had a 1.41 GAA and a .959Sav% Congrats Alex we see many more wins this season.

The Florida Eels Elite team came back on Saturday after their disappointing 4-3 loss by the Tampa Juniors and regrouped and refocused their game. They saw they could come back from a 4-1 deficit but coming close is not enough. Line ups were changed and shifted. The video showed the voids and shortcomings.

On Sunday the boys were prepared and to say they came out strong is the understatement of the year.  The Eels put on forechecking clinic. They smothered and suffocated  Tampa. They outshot Tampa by a large margin. The Eels put 7 goals by the Tampa Juniors and allowed none by Jake Mork

Way to go guys.  Way to come back

Tampa Bay Juniors 0 at Florida Eels 7 – Status: Final
Sunday, October 31, 2021 – Fort Myers Skatium

Tampa Bay Juniors 0 0 0 – 0
Florida Eels 2 2 3 – 7

1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Smyth 4 (Allen, Corbett), 5:37. 2, Florida Eels, Ward 6 (Maislin), 8:21. Penalties-Levcenko Tbj (hooking), 3:33; Ward Eel (holding), 15:18.

2nd Period-3, Florida Eels, ClIngerman 6 (Evanyk, Engles), 14:02. 4, Florida Eels, Fazzari 1 (Carpenter), 19:41. Penalties-Ingalls Eel (tripping), 1:46; Levcenko Tbj (interference), 7:51; Senio Eel (roughing), 7:51; Senio Eel (tripping), 14:11.

3rd Period-5, Florida Eels, Rioux 2 (Ward, Ingalls), 2:01. 6, Florida Eels, Dominique 3 (Evanyk, Corbett), 13:28 (PP). 7, Florida Eels, Dominique 4 (ClIngerman, Gagnon), 15:44. Penalties-ClIngerman Eel (roughing), 9:05; Creighton Tbj (boarding), 11:23; Jackson Tbj (cross-checking), 12:29; Evanyk Eel (tripping), 18:32.

Shots on Goal-Tampa Bay Juniors 7-14-13-34. Florida Eels 17-24-16-57.
Power Play Opportunities-Tampa Bay Juniors 0 / 0; Florida Eels 1 / 0.
Goalies-Tampa Bay Juniors, Garon 4-4-0-0 (57 shots-50 saves). Florida Eels, Mork 5-0-0-0 (34 shots-34 saves).

Eels Elite Goalie Jake Mork is on Fire.  He is scooching hot.  Thus far, he is 5-0 on the season. He boast a 1.18 GAA  Mork has a .965 Sav%. He has played 305 minutes. He is mentally tough as they come. He is solid all around with outstanding skill set.  His glove is lightning quick. Controls his rebounds. Squares up to his shooters. Enthusiastically  challengers every shooter in a duel. He is poised and one of the most dedicated players in the Eels program. He spends hours every day in the gym. His strength is reflected every day at practice and in every game. Without question one of the Florida Eels top college prospects. Jake is high character individual. Always willing to mentor and work with younger goalies in our youth Warrior program.

By: Joseph Munroe *Contributing Writer for the Eels

This Friday the Florida Eels Premier team faces off against The Tampa Bay Juniors at Advent Health Center Ice in Tampa, FL. The Eels’ last game was on Oct. 20 against the Florida Jr. Blades in which a game the Eels won 4-3. The Premier Team has been red hot and hasn’t lost a game in regulation at 8-0-0-1, the only game they lost was a shootout in extras. But this weekend they turn their focus to a division rival, the Tampa Bay Juniors who are in fact on a 2-0 run. The Juniors look to end the Eels hot streak this weekend.

This will be the first time these two teams are facing off since last year, in which Tampa took a slight lead 4-3 in their season series. However, the Eels have a 2-0 winning streak against the Juniors.

Eels’ phenomenon Taurin Haddon-Harris has 59 career points and is 10 away from cracking into the all-time top 20 scorers. Goaltender Alex Caron has been dominant this season with a 5-0 record and has a GAA of 1.60. Caron won his last start against the Jr. Blades in which he tied the Eels’ record for regular season wins in the USPHL Premier (since 2017). The prior record was held by Jakub Kostelny with 21 wins from the 2019-2020 season. Caron can become the team’s all-time winningest goaltender in the Premier Division this weekend.

The door is open for the Eels to take sole first place in the Florida Division with two dominant goalies and a great attack. All four lines present a great attack with stars on each line. Tauron Haddon-Harris leads the way with 14 points, 5 goals, and 9 assists. Kayde Budgell is not far behind him with 11 points, 7 goals, and 4 assists.

The Eels understand that they must take advantage of having a home-ice advantage this weekend against the first place Juniors. Although the Tampa Bay Juniors have played more games than the Eels, they have a better record than Tampa coming in at 8-0 with 17 points. The Juniors are holding a close first-place lead, but after this weekend that could easily change.

This weekend the Florida Eels Elite team faces off against the Tampa Bay Juniors kicking off a two-game set with the Juniors starting Friday night and ending on Sunday. The Eels’ have been on a roll this season coming in at 4-0 winning streak and 7-2-1 on the season.

 

These games are crucial for the Eels to make a statement with only 14 points. Although they are in second place and the Juniors are in first keep in mind the elite team has played 6 fewer games than the Juniors have. Left-winger Andrew Ward leads the team with 12 points along with Defenseman Braeden Bzovey coming in with 11 points.

Goalie Jacob Mork is undefeated this season and has a GAA of 1.47. He has been lights out this season and looks to shut out the Juniors when they come to town this weekend. He leads the league in GAA and has 132 saves on the season.

Both teams are looking to make a statement against their in-state rival this weekend. The teams must take advantage of home ice and show why they are the best team in the state of Florida. “It won’t be an easy task, but we are ready for the challenge,” said Frank Scarpaci Eels General Manager.

The anticipation has been brewing. It is an unusual year as the Florida Eels and the Tampa Juniors usually have played at least a home and away series by now. In fact in most years they were the opening weekend for both clubs. Tampa’s Premier team has played 15 games compared to the Eels who only played 9. The same is true in the Elite Division. That is a 6-game spread. Even after this weekend series there will remain a 6-game differential. If the Eels win all 6 of those games that would be 12 points. At present Tampa has 9 wins 5 losses and 1 tie for 19 points. The Eels have 8 wins and 1 tie for 17 points.

 

That is incredible for the Eels. Just two points behind Tampa and they played 6 fewer games. Indeed, the Eels have had a strong showing out of the gate. They have done so by defeating some of the best teams in the South such as the defending National Champs, the Charlotte Rush, The Hampton Road Whalers, the Potomac Patriots, the Palm Beach Typhoon, and the Florida Junior Blades.

 

Tampa and the Eels always play very well against one another. These two programs have always been evenly matched and bring out the best in one another. Both full of highly skilled and competitive guys. Last season it came down to the final game of the season to determine who would come out in 1st place. In the Premier Division and it was extremely close in the Elite Division as well. Well folks this is their first outing of the season. A home and away series. The Eels are looking to gain 4 points and overtake Tampa for first place in the Division. There are so many unknowns this weekend. We have not even had a chance to see them except shortly at the Southeast Showcase in Raleigh and on HockeyTV.  We know one thing for sure. That the Division is full with unknows. Atlanta has shown they can beat anyone as have the Jr Blades, Tampa and the new franchise – the Palm Beach Typhoon. You know the Eels coaching staff and our players have it engrained in our DNA that we take no team for granted and won’t be complacent in their approach this weekend. We look for the Eels to come out strong and they are hungry, focused as ever. Additionally, not to look too far ahead, the Eels are looking to capture the 6 points they have in hand against Tampa in the upcoming weeks.

 

On the Elite side Tampa has played 15 games won 10 for 20 points. The Eels have played 9 games won 7 lost 2 for 14 points. Like the Premier the difference is a magic 6 points and a 6 game differential

 

On Friday the Elite team plays first in Tampa at 5:30 pm and the Premier team plays 2nd at 8:15 pm They return home for Sunday’s games at the Ft Myers Skatium Elite at 10:30 am and Premier at 1:00 pm Join us live or on HockeyTv

The drama was set for the midweek game between the Florida Eels Premier and the Jr Blades. This is one of the best rivalries in all of Junior hockey. Many great games over the decade and a half. Two teams with a lot of pride and determination.  Last night was no exception. We witnessed the lead change hands several times back and forth.  In the end the Eels showed why they were ranked at the top in the Power Rankings. They suffocated the Blades defensively in timely situations and overwhelmed them offensively with an onslaught of missiles at their netminders. The Eels pounded 47 shots at the Blades goalie and he stopped 43.  Credit to their goalie as the Eels had some point blanked shots that would have normally cruised by many other opposing goalies, and he somehow thawed 6-7 potential goals. He indeed, stood on his head and played solid.

 

But Caron played stronger. It was a goalie duel, and he was the better of the two. Caron turned away 26 of 29 shots  from the Blades.  It was a solid over all game for the entire Eels team.  Adam Gaudet had a pair of goals that highlighted his night. Additionally, we had several Eels players who had 2 points – Kayde Budgell with a goal and an assist, and both  XavIer Delage  and Easton Moore picked up a pair of assists each.

 

The Eels further increased their lead over the Tampa Juniors. The Juniors take on Palm Beach this weekend and we saw last weekend the Typhoon will give you tough games so the Juniors cannot take them for granted or they will be on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Elsewhere Atlanta travels to Estero to take on the Blades.

 

The Eels are off this weekend and take on Tampa next Friday in Tampa and home on Sunday. We have yet to play them this season.

 

Good job guys and impressive win indeed.