Game Day: Trip South Pits Admirals Against Division Leaders

Game #66

Admirals (25-33-6-1) at Florida (43-13-2-4)

Germain Arena

7:30 pm

Head-to-Head:

Friday is the fourth meeting of the season between the teams, and the first since late November. Similar to the current trip, the Admirals and Everblades played three times in four days at the Scope during those late November matchups. After dropping the first two games the Admirals bounced back to top the Everblades 3-2 in the weekend finale. Recent history at Germain Arena has gone in the Everblades favor as they took all three meetings last season, the only ones since Norfolk rejoined the ECHL.

Trevor Mingoia was the hero for the Admirals scoring all three Norfolk goals in that game, including the OT winner. Mingoia was the only Admiral to score more than once against Florida in the first three matchups. Three other Norfolk skaters (Darik Angeli, Kenton Helgesen, Grant Besse) have tallied against the South Division leaders this season. Angeli and Helgesen are the only active Admirals with more than a point against the Everblades this season.

Stephen MacAulay, one of four ‘Blades with a pair of goals against the Admirals this season, leads all scorers with five points (2g, 3a) through the first three games. Brett Bulmer and Joe Cox are the other active ‘Blades with two goals in the season series. Callum Booth has faced off with the Admirals twice posting a record of 1-0-1-0, while allowing 2.90 goals per game, and stopping 91% of shots faced.

Scouting the Everblades:

Florida has already clinched their spot in the playoffs, and currently holds the top overall seed in the South Division and Western Conference. With ten games left in the regular season Florida currently holds a five-point lead on second place South Carolina.

Leading scorer Mitchell Heard carries a nine-game point streak into Wednesday’s game. Heard has tallied 17 points (6g, 11a) during the nine-game stretch pushing him past Stephen MacAulay for the team lead in points. Heard’s 57 points (22g, 35a) is followed tightly by MacAulay (56 points) and McCarron (55 points).

Martin Ouellete has appeared in exactly half the Everblades games this season, posting a record of 27-5-1-2, with a 2.14 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Rookie Callum Booth has played in 25 games, going 16-6-1-2 and allowing 2.46 goals per game.

Playoff Picture:

Norfolk currently trails Atlanta by six points for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. Tied with the Admirals is Jacksonville, who has a game in hand on Norfolk and two in hand on Atlanta. Orlando, who currently has 69 points, needs only four more points to clinch the third playoff spot in the South Division.

Keeping Pace:

With seven games left in the regular season Brodie Dupont currently sits four points back from Shawn Szydlowski for the ECHL scoring title.  The captain, who has 68 points this season (21g, 47a) has set career highs for goals, assists, and points this season with the Admirals.

In addition to Dupont, rookie Grant Besse leads all ECHL rookies in points. The University of Wisconsin alum has 61 points (29g, 32a) in 61 games, two points clear of Justin Danforth from Cincinnati.

Heating Up:

Forward Domenic Alberga heads into the trio of games with the Everblades riding a four-game point streak, the second longest of his career. Alberga has already set career highs in goals (13), assists (21) and points (34).  The longest point streak of Alberga’s career was a seven-game streak, stretching from Februayr 16 to March 3 of last season.

Linemate Alex Pompeo also rides the longest point-streak of his career (four games) into the three-game set as well. Pompeo had never recorded a point in more than two straight games until the current streak.