Congrats to Landon Engles Forward and Defense Vince Cartier Player of the Week 12’12’20

USPHL Elite Players Of The Week: South Region

Week of Dec. 12, 2020

By USPHL Staff

Southeast Division
Forward: Michael Miller, Charlotte Rush
The local Charlotte product picked up three goals and one assist in a single game against Charleston, helping key a weekend sweep. Miller has swung between the Premier and Elite teams this season as a second-year Rush.

Defense: Kameron Williams, Richmond Generals
The Generals went 2-1 in their tight weekend series with Peninsula rivals the Whalers, and Williams was in on both the offense (1-2-3 line for the three games) plus keeping the Whalers to six goals in three games.

Goaltender: Jacob Sanders, Potomac Patriots
Unfortunately for Sanders (‘02/Spring Hill, Va.), the Pats did not pick up a victory against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, but he kept the Patriots in every one of three close matches, including a Dec. 3 OT loss. The Jr. Canes scored a total of just five goals on 104 shots, giving Sanders a .943 save percentage for the weekend.

Florida Division
Forward: Landon Engles, Florida Eels
Engles (‘03/Sioux Falls, S.D.) posted a pair of goals and assists for four points in pushing the Eels to a close weekend sweep against the powerhouse Juniors to start December. Engles has now moved to a 7-13-20 line for 15 games.

Defense: Vince Cartier, Florida Eels
The ‘04 out of Drummondville, Que., took a move to a different country – and vastly different climate – to perfect his game with the Eels, and has progressed very well early on. He scored two goals in the Eels’ win over the Juniors.

Goaltender: Nate Flores, Charleston Colonials
Flores stopped 40 of 44 shots for the Colonials in a knock-down drag-out battle with Charlotte on Dec. 6. Though the Rush ended up coming out with the 4-1 victory, the ‘02 from Cave Creek, Ariz., is certainly rounding into form. He had also given up just one goal in 15 minutes of work against a strong Carolina team in November.

In game one of the weekend double header between the Eels and Atlanta  Madhatters, the Eels went down in the 1st 2 periods of play 2-0 and the Hatters were not showing any signs of easing up. The Eels coaches juggled the lines and re-grouped in between the 2nd and 3rd period and the Eels came storming back to tie things all up 2-2.

With only minutes remaining in the game the Hatters made another surge to gain the lead but the Eels learning from their mistakes vs the Tampa Juniors, suffocated the Hatters and thawed their efforts to take the lead. The Eels sent this in to OT and for 5 minutes both teams pushed hard up and down the ice 3 on 3 but neither scored and the game remained tied 2-2 forcing it from regular OT to a shootout.

Each team went back and forth shooter after shooter but then the Eels snipers took control and the Eels put this one to rest winning it big time capturing  2 points while the Hatters earned 1 from the OTL

The two squads square off once again Saturday at 4:45 pm to wrap up the weekend pair of games between the two Elite teams. The Eels were excited to garner the 2 points with this win and hope to further extend some day light tomorrow  if they sweep the games.

 The Florida Eels Premier team squares off at 12:30 pm against the Atlanta  Madhatters in Game One of a two game weekend away series. 

 

Today the Eels Premier team Faces Off vs the Madhatters. The Eels are tied for 1st place with the Tampa Juniors. Both having 12 wins 5 losses for 24 points. The Juniors are off this weekend whereas the Eels have a 2-game series against the Madhatters. There are 4 points on the line and with a sweep the Eels can go up by 4 points and move once again into sole possession of 1st place.

The Eels and all of the teams in the South and Florida Divisions compete in the Christmas Showcase next week at Hertz Arena. So, everyone if jockeying and posturing for placement in the standings. More important than standings are for the Eels to get their game back in sync. We will let the standings and seeding take care of itself. It is more important for the Eels to get back on track. They went through a molehill this past month and we feel very good about our game right now. So, if you are available tune in on Hockey TV for what will no doubt be very exciting pair of games.

The Florida Eels Premier Team Overpowers The Madhatters 7-2 in Game One of Weekend Away Series in Atlanta 

 

The Eels have had the Madhatters number in the previous 3 games this season and this one today proved the same. In previous matches the Eels defeated the Madhatters 8-0, 8-4 and 5-1. Today the Eels came out on fire throttling their foes 7-2. It was a very clean game between the two clubs. A lot of rubber seen by both goalies alike. The game was face paced and each team at times went wide open. The score was tight in the 1st period with only one goal scored and that by the Eels. However, the Eels opened things up in the 2nd scoring 3 and then repeated with 3 additional goals in the 3rd to create an insurmountable task for the Madhatters. One thing for sure, is the Eels never took the Hatters for granted. This is a pesky club with a lot of character and they never quit. Regardless of the score, the Hatters keep coming at you.

 

Atlanta is a well coached team and they have quite a few very talented young players. They are building this club the right way. They are a determined team and have a strong work ethic. No doubt they are a team you cannot take lightly or for granted.

 

The two clubs square off once again tomorrow night at 7:45 pm Please join us on HockeyTV or if you can in Atlanta

 

Scoring in the game went as follows:

 

 

Florida Eels 7 at Atlanta Mad Hatters 2 – Status: In Progress (0:00 remaining in 3rd)
Friday, December 11, 2020 – Atlanta Ice House

Florida Eels 1 3 3 – 7
Atlanta Mad Hatters 0 1 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Voyda 3 (Roost, Podrezov), 7:31. Penalties-Zebley Eel (roughing), 9:08; Draper Atl (roughing), 9:08; Larson Atl (hooking), 9:32; Melikov Eel (hooking), 11:36; Swygert Eel (cross-checking), 14:29; Larson Atl (interference), 15:31; Poole Atl (interference), 16:02; Larson Atl (hooking), 18:21.

2nd Period-2, Florida Eels, Goral 4 (Court, Zebley), 12:36. 3, Florida Eels, Zebley 13   17:39 (PS). 4, Atlanta Mad Hatters, Baker 4 (Garzon , Regan ), 18:29 (PP). 5, Florida Eels, Roost 11 (Castonguay, Dill), 19:21. Penalties-Goral Eel (roughing), 2:05; Dollershell Atl (roughing), 2:05; Mesaros Atl (slashing), 5:03; Patterson Eel (hooking), 12:53; Grajewski Eel (boarding), 16:38.

3rd Period-6, Atlanta Mad Hatters, Florit 9 (Baker, Regan ), 3:46. 7, Florida Eels, Haddon- Harris 5 (Roost, Podrezov), 7:10. 8, Florida Eels, Zebley 14 (Roost, Podrezov), 11:34. 9, Florida Eels, McNeish 1 (Haddon- Harris, Maroszek), 14:39. Penalties-Koss Atl (tripping), 6:03; Garzon Atl (high-sticking), 9:26; Goral Eel (high-sticking), 12:38; Koss Atl (slashing), 13:24; O’Gwen Eel (major -slashing), 15:53.

Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 13-16-13-42. Atlanta Mad Hatters 10-11-12-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 0 / 0; Atlanta Mad Hatters 1 / 0.
Goalies-Florida Eels, O’Gwen 4-3-0-0 (33 shots-31 saves). Atlanta Mad Hatters, Kennedy 3-1-2-0 (42 shots-35 saves).

 

The Florida Eels Eclipsed by The Tampa Juniors 6-5 To Split Weekend Series.

 

In what easily was our best two performances all season the Eels Elite team spit their weekend set of games against the Tampa Juniors. The guys continued their relentless fore-check and assault on Tampa from where they left off on Friday night in which they realized a 7-3 thrashing on the previously undefeated Tampa Elite squad. At home the boys came out with the same jump in their game and the winning attitude. All cylinders were firing, and things appeared to be going their way. In fact, twice the Eels led by two goals, but those pesky Tampa players kept edging back.

 

The two squads have played incredible games each match played. In the previous two games the Eels made dramatic come backs and managed to lose in OT. In fact, in one game the Eels came back from a 4-1 deficit going into the 2nd period only to lose 6-5 in OT.

 

In yesterday’s game the Eels were up by 1 at the 18:26 mark in the game that being less than 2 minutes and the Tampa Coach pulled their goalie   and they tied it up. Then the Tampa team put one pass the Eels team with only 5 seconds remaining for a heartbreaking loss.

 

This is one game that the Eels players won’t forget. The sting and loss will last a bit. Lessons to be learned here. Being up by 2 goals against Tampa – you have to shut the barn door. Second with less than a minute to give up a goal and with 5 seconds remaining – we have to be mentally tough. Secure the tie and battle it out in OT.

 

Well, you learn twice as much from your losses than your wins. This is evident here. We have to take this one to heart. Know what we did to win Friday night and know what we were doing to go up 2 goals on Sunday. Know how to shut the door and secure the win. These are all part of the process. The Player Development Process. That is why we train all year. Development comes not just from practices but games as well

 

We are very proud of our guys and the transitioning of their game. Anyone watching the Elite team seems readily apparent they are not the same team as a month ago and not even a week ago. They are improving immensely as players and a team. We look forward to the games in Atlanta.

The Eels Premier Team Edged by Tampa 6-5 in Game Two of Weekend Series

 

The Eels Premier team like the Elite team fell victim to the Tampa Juniors 6-5. This was a see-saw exchange of goals between the two clubs. In fact, the Eels  were up by two at one portion in the game. One thing for sure it was a mark difference in effort and energies in this game over Friday night. On Sunday the boys were dialed in and the passes were on mark. The guys had tilted the ice at times but in the end it wasn’t enough. Tampa put 6 in to our 5. We know we have to be better and that is what our coaches and players will focus on all week. It starts today with our goalie session this morning.

 

I pledge we will be ready for Atlanta who had been playing very strong as of late.

Congrats To Anthony Zebley Selected Player of the Month

7 Dec by Frank Scarpaci

USPHL Elite Players Of The Month: South Region

By USPHL Staff, 12/06/20, 4:30PM EST

Florida Division

Forwards

Anthony Zebley, Florida Eels

Zebley is another Florida product who has been lights-out for the Eels from the start. The ‘04-born Estero, Fla., native had seven goals and three assists for 10 points in seven games, though all those points came in the last five games of the month, part of a scoring streak that he carried into December. He’s extended that streak to six games.