Re-Cap: Everblades vs. Stingrays (3/30/11)

Although the Everblades were lucky enough to have their playoff spot handed to them they won't be lucky enough to have home ice advantage handed to them, so they're going have to actually buckle down and play some hockey. The question is, will they?
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The Blades came out strong and really played physically. It was a delightful change of pace to be honest. The game remained scoreless until Bobby Raymond threw one to the net on the power play. Mathieu Roy re-directed it past the Stingrays goalie to make it 1-0 at the 15:58 mark. Following the goal, Tim Spencer dropped the Gloves and took on a Stingray right at center ice.



He landed a few bombs and took some as well and left the ice to the crowd roaring. The Rays weren't able to even it up and the period ended with the Blades still up 1-0.
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The Stingrays maintained much of the puck possession in the second. The game could have easily tilted to the Stingrays favor if goalie Mike Zacharias had not stood so tall. The Blades increased their lead late in the period to 2-0 thanks to a beautiful wrister from Alex Hutchings off of a loveley pass from Ian McDonald about 16 minutes into the period. Immediately after the goal a minor scrum ensued.



Somehow, Hutchings ended up with an attempted spearing call against him. I'm still not sure when this "spearing" occurred. It didn't matter though, Mathieu Roy made it 3-0 minutes later. His goal, with 12 seconds left on the clock, really got the arena rocking. The score remained 3-0 when the period ended and it was great to see the score after so much pressure from the Stingrays.
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The Blades really looked good in the third. They skated well, and made solid passes. Unfortunately, the Stingrays still maintained much of the puck possession throughout the period. It paid of for the Rays when they were finally able to figure out Zacharias around 7 minutes into the period to ruin his shut-out and make it 3-1. Despite their hard work, the Blades were really shut-down, only managing 4 shots in the period. Luckily
, one of those shots was able to get past the Rays goalie. That goal, Tim Spencers first as an Everblade, exactly 18 minutes into the period made it 4-1. The Stingrays just could not come back and when the final horn sounded, the Blades skated away with a much needed, and well deserved, win.
Three stars: 3. Spencer, 2. Zacharias, 1. Roy
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Game photos:
 

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Some thoughts:
- I feel a lot better about the goaltending situation as long as Zacharias is under contract. He obviously likes playing here.
- I have no idea why, but I type out Matt Zacharias every time I want to say Mike Zacharias. Weird.
- Raymond was awesome as usual. Really, how has no AHL team even called him up yet?
- It was nice of Imbeault to show up and play. He looked good.
- It would have been nice to not have as many shots allowed (35? Sheesh). Thank goodness Zacharias is on fire right now.
- There were a few too many neutral zone turnovers and they did get caught flat footed a few times. The game could easily gone in the Rays favor.

YouTube Tuesday

This week's series with the Stingrays is a big one. Though the Blades clinched a playoff spot, they still have a chance to gain a better position in the playoffs. If they want any advantage in the upcoming playoff they have to show-up and play with some heart. Get pumped guys.

News and Notes

Let's get right to it.

- The Blades clinched a playoff spot thanks to the Cyclones beating the Walleye last night. I guess it works for them that they didn't have to put any effort in to earn it. The upcoming series against the Stingrays simply decides playoff position and home ice advantage.

- The team hasn't made an anoouncement yet (they'll probably wait until I hit the publish button), but the ECHL transactions is showing the team signed defenseman Evan Stephens. His stats:



- The Blades made Puck Daddy again this weekend. Not for jerseys or line brawls though, it's finally for something good. Big congrats to Drew Larman for being an awesome dude and having it recognized.

- The pictures from Friday are up you can head over to the stream or enjoy a neat feature I just discovered from Flickr. Slideshow!



- The video of the shoot-out is also up. Enjoy. You may want to turn down the volume first.



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In Lieu of a Re-Cap....

Please enjoy this kitty,


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our

because honestly, there is no way to re-cap the game. They played horribly and they should consider themselves lucky it was only 5-0. It seems the team held a meeting after the game. I can only hope this will be what the team needs to wake-up. Personally, I'm tired of giving them the benefit of the doubt. I hope they prove me wrong, but it's hard to believe they'll actually care enough to try.

Re-Cap: Everblades vs. Nailers (3/25/11)

After Wednesday's lackluster performance you had to wonder which Everblades were going to show up. The team that can control the play and make you pay or the team that enjoys being paid to watch the game from the best vantage point in the arena.



Lucky for us (and my blood pressure), the former of the two decided to show up and play some hockey.

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The Blades started to dominate right from the drop of the puck. They really appeared to have more of the control throughout the period. Though it was a bit back and forth, the Blades really looked like the better team (hallelujah). The greatest miracle of the period had to be the Blades scoring first.



It may seem like no big deal, but J.F. David's goal was the first time the Blades have scored first in six games. It was also a power play tally, something the Blades have not seen too much of lately either. The period ended with the Blades leading 1-0. They also led in SOG (another miracle!) 12-8.

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The Nailers weren't going to sit back and take anything though. They responded in the second by evening it up seconds into a power play courtesy of a B.S. goal on a B.S. tripping call on Drew Larman. The Blades kept their cool, and although the Nailers put on some pressure they just couldn't get it past goalie Mike Zacharias. The Blades were able to end the period on a high note with a goal from Alex Hutchings in the closing minutes to make it 2-1 and take the lead again.

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Even more pressure was applied to the Blades in the third but they kept their cool and held the Nailers off for much of the period. Unfortunately, Wheeling pulled their goalie and were able to slip one through Zacharias' five-hole with the extra man. It was sad that after such a solid game from the Blades they saw it tied up 2-2 with around 40 seconds left, but it was just one of those things that can't always be stopped (although shot blocking may have helped, hint, hint). With the end of the period seeing the teams tied up 2-2 it was time for a little OT.

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Neither team was able to take advantage of OT, the winner of the extra point would be determined by shoot-out. We shot first:

- Alex Imbeault- No goal
- Joey Haddad- Goal
- Brad Snetsinger- Goal
- Doug Rogers- No Goal
- Alex Hutchings- No Goal
- Brandon DeFazio- No Goal
- Dusty Collins- Goal
- Chris Kushneriuk- No Goal
- Matt Beca- Goal!

I did it get it on video and I've already applied my amazing video editing skills to it. It's just a matter of getting it up on the Blogs YouTube channel.

The Game sheet is here. You can also check out my photos from Wednesday's game here.


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Some thoughts:

- I have to think at this point that no team wants to face us in the shoot-out. I'm pretty sure we must have one of the best records in the league.

- Same old story- Matt Beca is a constant presence and Alex Imbeault disappears for long stretches at a time.

- Initial impression of Mike Zacharias... like. He always seems to be perfectly positioned.

- I'm scared to death anytime Tim Spencer goes to check a guy into the glass in front of me. Dude lays such biggest hits I swear the glass is going to shatter.

- I don't feel bad for the guys on the receiving end of those checks. It's their fault for having the puck when Spence wants it.

- I think I need to make "Bobby Raymond for MVP" t-shirts. I can't remember a game where he's given anything less than 200%. Can't believe I didn't win his jersey last night.