The Eels traveled down to Hertz Arena to take on the Jr Blades in the 1st set of their home and away weekend series. The Eels Elite team squared off first and dropped the Blades 4-2 in the morning contest. The two teams went up and down the 200 foot surface and battled for every inch of the white paint. But the Eels experience and skill proved much superior out shooting the Blades 33 to 25. Although the Blades scored 1st the Eels struck 4 with the Blades tallying one more late in the 3rd period. The Eels got goals from Rookie Teddy Feng a native from China, Fan O’Neil from Western Canada, veteran Cooper Bergman from NY, and one from William Fischer from South Florida. The Eels got string goaltending from rookie Michael Pelc. With this win the Eels continued to hold 1st place in the Florida Division
In mid afternoon, the Eels Premier team showed why they have held dominant for over a decade in the entire USPHL. Clearly the skill level was superior. The Eels out skated the Jr Blades, they were faster, drove harder and outshot them 40 to 9. The Eels smothered the Jr Blades on the fore-check and suffocated the Jr Blades on any sustained offense with their relentless back check. The Eels unleashed 7 goals on the Blades net minder and the Eels blanked the Blades on the scoreboard.
The Scoring in this game went as follows:
1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Beckett 3 (Potter, Goddard), 3:05. 2, Florida Eels, Perry 5 (Di Re, Engles), 17:25. Penalties-Kukielka Fjb (high-sticking), 6:00; served by Ranta Eel (bench -too many players on the ice), 10:16; Deshaies Eel (roughing), 15:59; Boudreau Fjb (holding), 15:59.
2nd Period-3, Florida Eels, Trathen 9 (Salminen, Shepherd), 17:58. Penalties-Gavin Fjb (hitting from behind), 1:00.
3rd Period-4, Florida Eels, Marchetta 2 (Goddard, Perry), 4:49. 5, Florida Eels, Perry 6 (Ranta, Marchetta), 5:14. 6, Florida Eels, Salminen 7 (Trathen, Shepherd), 9:24. 7, Florida Eels, Beckett 4 (Bondar, Potter), 18:55. Penalties-Deshaies Eel (roughing), 5:58; Boudreau Fjb (holding, roughing), 5:58; Kovacik Fjb (slashing), 7:18.
Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 14-12-14-40. Florida Junior Blades 3-3-3-9.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 0 / 4; Florida Junior Blades 0 / 1.
Goalies-Florida Eels, Boughen 5-1-0-0 (9 shots-9 saves). Florida Junior Blades, Pico 2-3-0-0 (40 shots-33 saves).
The key to the Eels Premier team is not only their impressive firepower, it is their denying defense. In fact the Eels have gone 7 periods without being scored on.
