Florida Eels Organization in 8 games Deliver Strong Performances at the USPHL College Showcase With 6 Wins, 1 OTL and 1 Regulation Loss
The Eels Premier and Elite teams got to play a number of teams out the Florida Division and Southeast Conference. The Premier team had a 6-4 win over the top ranked team in the Midwest West Division the Minnesota Squatch. This was an excellent game between these two teams as we saw skill speed and high temp flow throughout the game. In game two of the weekend for the Premier team, the Eels suffered a tough loss agonist the Great Lakes top team the Metro Jets 10-3. No doubt this was a disappointing loss for the guys. It was their 2nd game of the day and you could tell the boys showed signs of rust and having 2 weeks off. They allowed 4 goals in the 1st period and was held to one for. The shots were even at 15/14 but the tally was upside down. In the 2nd period the Eels allowed 2 more and only tallied for 1 and in the 3rd it did not go any easier as the Eels allowed 4 more. The coaches had little sleep in day one as they had to regroup and get ready for day two.
In game 3 they faced off against the Rockets Hockey Club a top program in the Atlantic . The Eels won in OT 5-4 and felt a bit better on the weekend debut. The Premier team concluded the weekend with a barnburner against Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights. This was a very evenly matched game ending in regulation 2-2. The two teams continued to battle skating 3 on 3 into OT but the game still remained tied. The Eels won in a shootout to capture the win. Going 3-1 on the weekend collecting 6 out of 8 points.
The Elite squad also faced 2 games in their opening day. In game one they completely unravel the Columbia Infantry 9-0 unleashing 38 shots on the opposing goalies. In the 2nd game the Eels took on the top ranked Rockets Hockey Club from the Atlantic Division and scored another 9 goals enroute to a 9-2 clear and convincing win over the RHC. Once again the Eels pounded 33 shots and held their opponents to a dismal 19. These two games were very impressive performances by the Eels Elite squad especially when you consider the players just returned back in town and for many they had no practice with flight delays etc.
The Eels Elite team continued with their winning ways with another huge win over another Atlantic Division leader the Jersey Hitmen in day two of the Showcase. In this game the Eels impressively blanked the Hitmen with a 4-0 shutout. The Eels then took on a 3rd opponent form the North the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights in their final day of the Showcase. In this game the Eels and Knights skated 2-2 to end regulation. The game went into OT where the Knights scored to garner the win. The Eels Elite finished the weekend 3 wins and an OT loss to gain 7 out of 8 points.
No doubt the Eels impressed a good number of college scouts in attendance. There were a a number of our players spoken to after each game and many more who talked with the Eels coaches and GM Scarpaci and we expect follow up in the weeks to come.
