Blades undertake 3-game, 3-day task
When the Florida Everblades hit the road for the next three games of their ECHL South Divisional Championship series with the South Carolina Stingrays, they not only have to battle the Rays, but also the schedule.
The Blades face a schedule oddity this weekend with three games in three nights, beginning Friday.
“That’s going to be tough, for sure,” said Blades defenseman Doug O’Brien. “We have had a good week of practice this week, working on systems and taking care of the body and that’s what we need to do … especially in the playoffs.”
The physical aspect of three games in three nights aside, there’s also the mental side of the game, which can be even more wearing in playoff hockey.
“It’s tough,” said O’Brien, “but it’s our job to be mentally prepared for it. If we can do it, it will be a bonus to our game.”
Blades coach Malcolm Cameron has his plans ready for battling the fatigue likely to strike the players over the stretch.
“When players get tired they tend to do what we call puck stare,” said Cameron. “You combat that by taking shorter shifts, by only keeping guys on the ice for 30-45 seconds a shift and then they are off the shift. Short shifts and high intensity is going to be the key.”
There’s another advantage Cameron has over the Stingrays – his bench.
“We have five guys who have sat out every night (in the playoffs),” he said. “We can change almost a third of our lineup every night to keep fresh legs in and we will use our whole bench.”
Another benefit is all 22 players on the Blades’ bench have seen action in at least one game during the playoff run so far.
Both of the first two games of the series were decided by one goal. South Carolina showed its determination in Game 2 by coming back from a 4-1 deficit against the Blades with a pair of quick goals in the closing minutes.
It was a scare that the Blades needed and which makes them realize how the entire series will go – close, tough games that go down to the final minutes of regulation.
“I think it is definitely going to be a close series for the remainder of it,” said O’Brien. “We both have skilled lineups and goalies that are playing well.”
The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1. All three road games will be shown live inside Germain Arena.
Should the Blades force a Game 6, it will be a quick turnaround, returning to Germain Arena next Tuesday.