The Florida Eels Elite Come Up Big With A 7-2 Win Over the Jr Blades in Game One of the First Game of the First Round of the USPHL Florida Division Playoffs. 

Both teams came out a bit cautious in the first period. You can’t say it was a feeling out process and these two squads have competed 10 times this season and know each other all to good. But it is playoff hockey and the players were a bit defensive minded. The Eels put laid 11 shots on the Blades netminder and the Blades unleashed only 6 shots on the Eels goalie Tom Steere. The Blades did manage to put one behind Steere and at the end of the first period the Eels found themselves in an unfamiliar deficit against cross town rivals the Jr Blades.

The Eels responded in period two this time delivering a 18 shot tent offensive on the Blades goalie and capitalizing putting 4 in the net. Meanwhile the Eels stepped up their defense as well and thawed the Blades attack by keeping a close gap on line rushes and a completely stifling back check. The Blades were held to a stingy 11 shots on net. They did manage to score their 2ndof the night but the Eels lead was now 4-2 and the Blades knew they had a mountain to climb. That climb was saddled by a heavy hitting Eels squad.

In the 3rdperiod the Eels put things into a whole other gear. Instead of reverting to defense or containment mode, the Eels sent their team into battle with more vigor and vinegar. Indeed, the Eels pounded 19 shots on the Blades goalie who stood tall and tried to shut the Eels explosive arsenal down. But the Blades could hot halt the Eels assault. The Eels struck for 3 more goals and elevated their lead to 7-2 and seized the win.

The Eels Elite team is one win away from advancing to the USPHL Nationals to be hosted at Merrimack College North Andover March 9-11the for the Elite Division. However, let there be no mistake. The Eels coaching staff and their players will not be taking the Blades for granted. This is a tough squad and they never quit. Moreover, they have two solid coaches who will be looking to rebound and avenge this loss. The Eels will also be re-grouping Saturday to examining another game plan for Sunday. We will not sit on our laurels or be complacent. The Eels are on a mission and ready for Sunday.

Scoring in the game went as follows:

Scoring