2019 PLAYOFFS PREVIEW: USPHL PREMIER / FLORIDA BY JIM DEN HOLLANDER / USPHL.COM
2019 Playoffs Preview: USPHL Premier / Florida
By Jim den Hollander / USPHL.com
While the Florida Eels (28-13-3-0) have become the first team in the Premier Florida Division to earn an invite to the National Championship tournament beginning March 8, the other spot will be up for grabs between the Florida Jr. Blades and Tampa Bay Juniors this weekend.
Jr. Blades @ Juniors
Friday, Feb. 22, 11:15 a.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. ET
Monday, Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. ET (If necessary)
All games to be played at Hertz Arena, Estero, Fla.
The Blades and Juniors limped to the finish line, both winning just two of their final 10 games with a tough lineup of contests down the stretch.
The Juniors (15-24-3-2) finished 12 points clear of the Blades (10-31-1-2) this season and will be the home team, although all the games will be played at the Hertz Arena in Estero, home barn of the Blades.
The Blades and Juniors squared off 10 times this season, eight of them before Christmas, split evenly, both teams winning four.
The Juniors grabbed the edge in the season series, winning their most recent encounters, Feb. 1 and 2, a home and away set with scores of 5-1 and 7-3.
