YouTube Tuesday

We're days away from opening night. Not months or weeks, days!



If you missed it, the Blades received five players from Charlotte yesterday. There should also be a few more players from Syracuse and Brayden Irwin is expected to return from St. John. Friday can't come soon enough.

YouTube Tuesday

A preseason game this week and opening night next week?

Time to warm-up your lungs guys.

YouTube Tuesday: Everblades Add Two

The Everblades announced what should be their final two signing of the off season as forwards Aaron Bogosian and Mike Merrifield.

An Aaron Bogosian highlight for you guys.



Apparently, the Blades are going super gritty this season. Interesting.

You can also find both guys on Twitter here and here.

YouTube Tuesday

The Everblades announced their 11th signing of the off season this afternoon. The Blades newest defenceman, Jeff Dimmen,  is only the third new player to be signed by the Blades.

Germain won't be anything new to him however. He spent his college career at the University of Maine, a College Classic regular. He won a Calder cup last season with the Norfolk Admirals and was a part of their record breaking winning streak.

He also appears to be a pretty tough dude if you ask me.



By the way, I adore this new contest the Blades are having on the teams Facebook page, but for the love of all that is holy, why aren't they better prepare and slightly punctual? At this point, I'm going to start adding 15 minutes to any time they announce.

YouTube Tuesday

No need to fear guys! I could never forget about your weekly helping of YouTube gold.

This week, I have a video of the Everblades newest signing, Taylor Ellington, doing what he appears to do best.



Weird that I picked the video of a Wrangler getting his butt handed to him out of all the videos, eh?

Oh! Before I forget. The new guy just joined Twitter over the weekend. If you're into that sort of thing, you can follow him here.

YouTube Tuesday

I had hoped there would be a signing announcement today, but alas, there has been now news from The Swamp.

I think this lovely video will cheer you up. Please enjoy Carrot Top sounding the siren in Vegas.

I still can't believe the Wranglers did that by the way.



The Blades went on to win that game 7-2 and even the Kelly Cup Final series 1-1. Obviously, you guys remember what happened after that. Three home games, three wins, one Kelly Cup.

I wonder how long the curse of Carrot Top will hang over Orleans arena?

YouTube Tuesday

The Everblades keep announcing signings I approve of. This week, they announced Matt Marquardt will be returning.



He was definitely my favorite trade acquisition last year. We received him from the Bakersfield Condors in exchange for Josh Van Dyk.

He ended up with 6 goals and 12 assists in the playoffs. My favorite goal from the playoffs has to be this beauty, an overtime goal in game three of the Kelly Cup Final.



Obviously, that beauty of a goal was later overshadowed by the overtime goal we'll all remember forever, but it's still fantastic (and proof that the Wranglers had an awful ability to make the most heinous turnovers of all time at the worst possible time).

YouTube Tuesday

I had really come to expect signing announcements on Tuesdays. In fact, it was the only thing that made Tuesdays decent. Hopefully, we get a signing announcement later this week because the lack of anything interesting happening this off season is driving me nuts.

Also, I've run out of interesting videos, so please enjoy an adorable boxer being silly.

YouTube Tuesday

It looks like the Blades will not be making a signing announcement today (or at least, they won't until I post this).

Luckily, I found the most adorable video of all time to cheer everyone up:



Hopefully we get some news about a signing later this week because this waiting stuff is the pits.

YouTube Tuesday

The Everblades announced their latest signing today and I'm pretty happy with it. You really can't beat a 6' 4'', 209 lb defensive defenseman.



His stats:



He might be familiar to you if you've been to the College Classic tournament the Blades hold every year. In seven games in Germain, he notched three assists, not too shabby.

You can follow him on twitter here.

YouTube Tuesday

I've admitted I have a mild phobia of mascots haven't I? Well, I'm slowly starting to get over it thanks to the Charlotte Checkers mascot, Chubby. It's kind of hard not to like him.



I'm sure you guys are as bored as I am waiting for signing announcements, but as usual, the Blades are taking their good sweet time. I'm sure it'll be like every other year where we get our first signing announcement around the time the other teams in the league have announced half a rosters worth of signings.

YouTube Tuesday

Maybe it's wrong that I'm still watching videos of the Everblades overtime goal, but you know what? If watching these videos is wrong, I don't want to be right.

I just found this one, and it's as fantastic as all the others.



In other news, qualifying offers were announced and Coach Poss decided to come back for another season!

YouTube Tuesday

While my little blogging vacation was nice while it lasted, there's been a little too much going on in Everblades land to sit around watching insane amounts of Hulu.

Tomorrow, I'll try to sum it all up in one big, fat, re-cap post. Until then, lets sit back and reminisce about what happened about a month ago...



it still feels good doesn't it?

YouTube Tuesday

You better believe it still feels good.



Don't forget, 5-11 tonight at Germain! It's time to celebrate and say goodbye. Also, there's going to be a bounce house. I freaking love bounce houses.

YouTube Tuesday

Time to relive a little magic from Friday's Everblades game:



Also, because it works:



The photos from Friday's game are up on Flickr by the way. Check 'em out.



Rally towels tonight though, that will be fun.

YouTube Tuesday

Let's not even kid ourselves. Losing sucks.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Unfortunately, the Everblades couldn't win every single game. It just wouldn't be fair and honestly, it would make their victories a little less exciting. Of course,  that's not going to stop me from feeling a little grumpy (staying up so late hasn't helped either, I'm sure).

It doesn't matter though. This is a best of seven series and the Blades have plenty of time. It only takes the bounces shifting our way for the tide to turn. Ratchuck started it last night. Now the other guys have to finish it.

It's time to forget last night and get ourselves into the right frame of mind. Luckily, This song is totally appropriate.



Of course, in my world anything by The Clash is an appropriate choice.

On an unrelated note, comments are back to requiring our approval because Wranglers fans have had all their brain cells fried by the heat and I'm not wasting Bloggers server space with their idiocy.

YouTube Tuesday

It still feels good guys. I'm still stunned by it all.

This video? Yeah, sad Nick Bootland + Brass Bonanza blasting = heaven.



I also had to add this video (though, uh, I saw Elgin Reid, Ross Carlson, Barry Brust, and Ryan Lang so I imagine the clips are not all recent, still, it's awesome).



Monday can't come soon enough. Though I can't say I'm excited about games starting in pacific time.

Recap: Everblades vs. Kalamazoo (05/03/12 & 05/04/12)

Here’s the skinny...

The Everblades won on Wednesday (7-0) and Thursday (7-3). Yes, I know you were expecting at least part of this news yesterday, but I was totally slacking (not really mydaywasterribleandifitcouldgowrongitdid). However, the bright sunny patch was the Everblades win.

On the plus side you now get a double helping of recap and a fun surprise at the end.

Everblades vs. Kalamazoo 05/02/12

7th Man
Big props to the Everblades fan base for uniting and showing support. While attendance was only in the 3,000’s (1,000ish more than in KZoo) it was a good showing for weekday games. Also, the fan participation is superb and the creativity keeps on flowing. 

 

Becca? 
I try not to be too harsh, but Matt Beca's name was misspelled again. This happened at the beginning of the season, but was corrected after the first game. Apparently someone forgot to delete the file. While not chronological, Mike Ratchuk also suffered some name butchering on the jumbotron with an added e.

Middle frame madness
The Everblades had a ridiculous second period. I’ll say it again: Brayden Irwin. Irwin scored three goals on five shots. The man was on fire. Hat’s off to you Mr. Irwin.

Muse-ic to my ears
I’m going to continuously make muse-ic puns, you’ll just have to deal. John Muse recorded his first post-season shutout, stopping all 28 Kalamazoo shots. 

Gator Showers
As number one indicates the fans have been a huge part of this years playoff push. They have spawned a new tradition: after wins, tiny plastic alligators sprinkle onto the ice. The players have even adopted it as a hashtag on twitter #gatorshowers. 

*honorable mention: I only ever list five officially, but Mathieu Roy’s goal was highlight reel worthy. 

For the score sheet click here

Everblades vs. Kalamazoo 05/03/12

Roy is a boss
There is a serious reason he is the captain. Everyone likes a player who is willing to sacrifice their body. Mathieu Roy is that man. There was a time during the game after he blocked two shots that all I could say was, “the marks on that poor mans body”. However, Roy is well Roy and whether it be his fearless shot blocking, penchant for fisticuffs or love of cats Everblades fans rightly love him.

Blood in the water
Kalamazoo’s Nick Sirota delivered a high stick that caused blood to pool on the ice. For that he earned himself a nice double minor. His teammate Mike Matczak added a cross check to give the ‘Blades a five on three opportunity. David Fischer quickly cashed in.

Brayyyyyyyden Irrrrrrwinnnnn
Brayden Irwin once again put on a show. Selected as the first star of the game, Irwin was a +3 with four points (1g, 3a) on the night. All the haters can officially suck it.

You scored! 
Charles Landry’s face was priceless. As was his interaction with Cedric McNicoll as McNicoll assured Landry it was his goal. The first period tally was Landry’s third all time as an Everblade and first of the playoffs.

Please don’t stop the Muse-ic
Yes, another poor pun. In all seriousness Muse was definitely interesting from a stats perspective. He shows up all over the score sheet in some unexpected (not really it’s Muse. Expect the unexpected). He was penalized for tripping, earned a secondary assist on the final goal and stopped 28 shots for the second night in a row. What’s the goalie equivalent to a hat trick?






Honorable mention: David Rutherford played like a beast. His speed was essential and his two goals are nothing to shrug off. 

For the score sheet click here

Alright, now it’s time for your surprise. Swamphockey and I braved Breakaways to secure you guys some autographed pictures. 8 x 10 photos are gorgeous and signed by the individual player. 

Now I’m sure you’re asking yourself “how do I get one?”. Well, it’s pretty easy... just be the first person to answer the trivia question in the comments section correctly (hint: the answers in the blog).

Question: Who do I claim has an “Ovi inspired goal celebration”?

YouTube Tuesday

Tomorrow's game is kind of a big deal. Personally, I'm doing everything I can to distract myself so I don't turn into a giant ball of nerves.

Thankfully, YouTube is very helpful when it comes to supplying distraction. take this video for instance:



Just when you think that noting is more awesome than a goalie scoring, boom, shorthanded goalie goal!

By the way, a goalie goal is the only thing I've never seen in person. I've seen tons of hat-tricks, line brawls and goalie fights, but I've never, ever seen a goal from a goalie. Oh well, I guess I'm going to have to keep going to hockey games until I do. Poor me.

YouTube Tuesday

You know what?

It still feels good.







Friday really can't come fast enough right now.