Defense must carry Everblades
With 10 games remaining in the regular season, and even though a 14th straight playoff berth is all but guaranteed, much work remains if the Florida Everblades wish to achieve their ultimate goal of winning their first Kelly Cup championship.
This year’s team has faced many of the same problems as those in the past – untimely call-ups and injuries during the most crucial time of the season. This year, however, has seen more than what is “normal” for the ECHL franchise.
So deep and often have the call-ups been over the last two months that first-year coach Greg Poss has been forced to redefine the team’s style of play, focusing more on the defense than the high-speed, back-and-forth offensive style they have relied on for much of the season.
“We definitely have had to change our focus from more of an offensive oriented team to a defensive one,” Poss said. “And, if we want to be successful in the playoffs, that is what we are going to have to be – a defensive team first.”
Although a good defense, combined with a balanced offense, is a traditional formula for success in playoff hockey, the Everblades had no need to worry about defense for most the year, relying instead on the league’s top offense and solid goaltending to see them through. Now, they look to finish the season strong, while attempting to improve their overall playoff standing.
“Right now, every team is jockeying for playoff position,” said Poss. “We are no different, but to improve our position and be successful in the playoffs, we have to learn how to slow games down, and win with more of a defensive mentality.”
That mentality showed last weekend when the Blades defeated the South Carolina Stingrays without scoring until the final three minutes, all the while keeping their opponent scoreless by limiting their quality scoring opportunities.
To maintain that high defensive level, Poss has focused on it all week in practice as the Blades prepare for the final games. Seven of those are against divisional rivals, a formula that gives them an opportunity to go from fifth overall in the conference standings to perhaps as high as second, should they win out.
The Everblades (31-26-4) return to the ice Saturday and Sunday when they welcome the South Division-leading Greenville Road Warriors to Germain Arena.
The Everblades have compiled a 4-8-2 record against the Road Warriors (37-21-3) this season, including 2-3-1 on home ice. The Road Warriors enter the weekend 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.