Blades versus Eagles

So we saw a fast paced game between the Everblades of Estero and the Colorado Eagles. Since the "Blades" are the ECHL affiliate of not only Tampa Bay, the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), but also the Charlotte Checkers and the Syracuse Crunch of AHL, several newcomers played this evening.  At the Germain arena in Estero, Florida

And it sorta showed! The speed was not quite there! The passing was not exact! But the energy of this young and short - yes, 8  guys of 5'11, plus 2 at 5.9 do make for a short team ;-) - was all there.

The  Eagles team included several of that height, including the Captain (not Horation) just Riley.

The shortness of highest players did not hamper any of them in scoring: 

Daavettila (6), Ostrow (5'10), Parker and Ulanski (5'11) scored for the Eagles, as did Johnston, while Henrion (also 5'11) scored the sole goal for the Everblades, despite the 34 sogs, of which the Eagles' goalie, Cheverie, at 6'3 larger than Cann, who is 5'11, only allowed that one. Of the 13 games he played he won 10, and only lost 3 in overtime.

Trevor Cann for the Blades only played 3 games thus far and lost 2 (Friday included). Although after letting in  2 goals in 1., he warmed up through 2. and most of the third period, Ulansky's empty netter can not be blamed on him ;-)! 

There was no doubt about the three stars of the game:

 Henrion the number three, Ostrow and Cheverie of the Eagles, numbers two and one, respectively.

It was a quite entertaining game, the Blades peppered Cheverie with 34 shots, while the Eagles managed 21 ...... but with 3 goals against Cann and the one empty netter! Photos to be posted soon.

For the hockey fight lovers, the game had two...IMO..Mychan (Co) vs Buess, and later Parker (Co) vs Dame-Malka......real ones! Several other penalties were called, but only one opportunity was utilized for goals, Johnston for the visitors. 8 penalties for the Eagles (1 goal)' 5 for the Blades (0 goal)

The crowd was respectable and loud, even without the animation by ice girls and Swampee, the mascot.

Near us was the quietest fan: a grizzled muzzle Chihuahua in Swampee disguise, lol.  

But his owner made up for it...and her friends wore green hair, shook bells and screamed "Go Blades". All for naught the team barely went on board with the lonely goal. 

Captain Roy of the Blades, was apparently still in Movember mode, looking striking with dark full beard and sideburns. This is Roy's 6th season with the Blades. 

A player named Joe Stejskal reminded me of an old friend with the same name who, in his salad days played goalie in the, now known as, Czech Republic. Which made me wonder, did anyone of Vladimir's family emigrate to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, long time ago?