After 3,600 miles, Blades home at last
It has been nearly a month since fans last got a chance to see the Florida Everblades skate at Germain Arena.
It may seem longer for some because only four games have been played there since the last week of October.
The Everblades (15-3-2) were gone so long (7-1-1, and logging 3,617 miles over the 17-day trip) that fans missed them setting several team and league records. Among the marks are a league-best 10-game win streak and a franchise-best 12 goals in one game on Nov. 22 against the Augusta Lynx.
“For the organization and, personally, on any team that I’ve played on that’s the best month of hockey I’ve ever been a part of,” said team veteran Earnie Hartlieb. “I hope that we can continue that into December and roll it on into the playoffs.”
Hartlieb added that, outside of the success, the team learned a lot about itself being on the road for so long.
“We learned that we can come back,” said Hartlieb, “We were down 3-0 (against Reading) in the last game of the trip and we came back and won 4-3. So, we learned that we are not just a team that can score six or seven or more goals, but also can work hard and come from behind to win a tough game.”
Despite all the success the Blades found on the road, its needless to say they are glad to be back at home and on friendly ice.
“It’s definitely good to be back home,” said Hartlieb.
Something else Blades fans have missed is the outstanding play of team captain Kevin Baker.
When he was signed by the Blades in the off season from the now defunct Texas Wildcatters, Blades fans knew him as a ‘Blades killer’ for nearly being a one-man wrecking crew against them in big games.
Fans rejoiced at his signing, but after the first 10 games, some fans were wondering if the ‘Blades killer’ had folded himself after putting up substandard numbers through six games.
“Kevin has become exactly what I always knew he was – a goal scorer and an excellent player on the power play,” said Blades coach Malcolm Cameron.
That could be an understatement.
When the team left last month on the road trip, Baker was barely averaging one point a game. Now he is averaging nearly a goal a game to go along with 13 assists, for a team-leading 29 points.
“It was a good month for the whole team,” said Baker. “My line is playing well. We are cashing in on power plays, but I give most of the credit to the guys on my team for getting the puck to me.”
Fans finally get to see the real Baker when they host the South Carolina Stingrays Friday and Saturday nights at Germain Arena.
During the first intermission Friday, the playing of the “Chicken Dance” will be heard for the last time at an Blades game.
Saturday it’s the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring a new, unwrapped stuffed toy to throw onto the ice when the Blades score their first goal. The toys will be distributed to area youth charities.