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Florida Eels Elite head to back the Advent Center Health Ice Arena for game two, Friday, January 3rd, 2025, to take on the Hampton Roads Whalers for game two of their showing at the 2025 USPHL Tampa Showcase. The Eels Elite edged the number one ranked WBS Knights in a 4-3 overtime win, in their earlier matchup Friday. With a fire lit, the Eels were ready to claim another victory this evening this time against the number four ranked Hampton Roads Whalers. Goaltender, Landon Blaine started in his fourth game for the Eels and the first of the showcase.

Hampton Roads Whalers and the Eels battled for the first point of the game, remaining deadlocked through the first period. It was Florida Eels Brantlee Hoffman, assisted by Stepan Kuznets and Jackson Carnes, who lit the lamp first, at 7:00 minutes in the second period. Eels grabbed the lead 1-0 over Hampton. At 10:11 in the second, Florida Eels Paxton Campbell, assisted by Brantlee Hoffman and Tyson Gagnon, lit the lamp for the second time. Eels closed the second period leading 2-0 over Hampton Roads Whalers.

With a 2-0 lead over Hampton Roads, the Eels geared up for the final period. At 4:57, William (Billy) Torrone, assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris, lit the lamp for the Eels third goal of the game. After an intense back and forth 10 minutes of play between the Eels and the Whalers, it was Florida Eels Spencer Hambling, assisted by Stepan Kuznets and Jackson Carnes, that claimed the Eels fourth goal at 15:15 in the third. Florida Eels claiming their second win of the day, as they claim a 4-0 win over the Hampton Roads Whalers!

Florida Eels Elite will return to Advent Health Center Ice, tomorrow Saturday, January 4th, as they take on the Charolette Rush at 12:15pm. Join us live or tune in live on FloHockey.

Florida Eels Elite team edge number one ranked Wilkes Barre Scranton Knights in OT win, as they kick off the second half of their season Friday, January 3, 2025 at the 2025 USPHL Tampa Showcase. It was Eels goaltender, Filip Vitanov started in his fifteenth game of the season, and first game of the showcase between the pipes, the Eels lined up at center ice. The players on both teams laid everything on the ice with explosive speed, smothering forecheck and suffocating backchecking. Florida Eels General Manager stated, “it was one of the best games we played all season.”

It was WBS Knights that claimed the first point of the game, at 12:13 in the first period. The Eels fought tirelessly but remained scoreless at the end of the first. WBS Knights closed the first leading 1-0 over the Florida Eels. Eels Carmen D’Ambrosio, unassisted who claimed the Eels first point of the game at 5:54 in the second period. The Eels and WBS Knights were now tied 1-1 in the second period. At 9:34 Eels Paxton Campbell, assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris, grabbed the Eels second goal of the game taking the lead for the first time. However, at 11:53 in the second period WBS Knights struck again, and tied the game 2-2. At 19:08 in the second period, Eels Brantlee Hoffman, assisted by Tyson Gagnon grabbed the Eels third goal of the game. The Eels closed the third period leading 3-2 over WBS Knights.

The Eels continued to dominate the third period, and Vitanov continued to deflect advances made by the WBS Knights. However, with less than a minute left in the third period, WBS Knights pulled their goalie, to gain a man advantage over the Eels, and at 19:34 in the third period they tied the game 3-3. The Eels and WBS Knights were headed into overtime.

Ready to lay it on the line, and goaltenders perched in their posts, both teams lined up for the drop. Tensions high, players determined to gain the advantage, the fans cheered with excitement. With just .17 seconds ticked off in the Eels/WBS Knights overtime, it was Florida Eels Etienne Cartier, unassisted, who captured the game winning goal! Eels claiming a 4-3 win over the WBS Knights.

The Eels Elite hit the ice again this evening, where they will face off against the Hampton Roads Whalers. Florida Eels Elite vs. Hampton Roads Whalers puck drop is set for 8:15pm at the Advent Health Center Ice Arena in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Join us live, or tune in on FloHockey, don’t miss out on the action.

Florida Eels Premier started the second half of their season on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the 2025 USPHL Tampa Showcase in Wesley Chapel, Florida, where they brought home a 5-1 win. The Eels Premier faced off against the Red River Spartans, Friday morning at 11:30 am. Russ Decoste, between the pipes starting in his fourteenth game of the season and first of the showcase, the Eels Premier lined up for game action.

The Eels and Red River remained scoreless for the entire first period. It was the Florida Eels who grabbed the first point of the game at 5:56 in the second period, when Captain Anthony Zebley, assisted by Ian Dracoulis and Reid Wilson, lit the lamp. Eels Robin Kussik, assisted by Alex Cochran and Xavier Charron, grabbed the Eels second point of the game at 9:21 in the second period. At 12:11, Eels Alex Cochran, assisted by Anthony Zebley, scored the Eels third point of the game. Red River Spartans, captured their first and only goal at 19:09 in the second period. At the close of the second period Eels lead 3-1 over the Red River Spartans.

Florida Eels continued to light the lamp in the third period, when Yiorgos Bikakis, assisted by Matthew Cunningham and Xavier Charron, captured the Eels fourth goal of the game at 8:21 in the third. It was Eels Matthew Cunningham, assisted by Xavier Charron and Seth Morris, who captured the Eels fifth and final goal at 14:35 in the third. The Eels placed over 30 shots on net during the course of the game with the Red River Spartans, bringing home a 5-1 win.

Florida Eels Premier will hit the ice again tomorrow, Saturday January 4^th, 2025 for a double header day, where they will take on the Metro Jets at 11:30 am, and the Toledo Cherokee at 8:15 pm. Join the Eels live at the Advent Center Health Ice Arena in Wesley Chapel, Florida or tune in live on FloHockey.

Florida Eels return to Florida after a quick holiday reprieve and are ready to ring in the new year with a bang! Eels Premier and Elite have returned to the ice and are preparing to head to the 2025 USPHL Tampa Showcase this weekend (January 3^rd-5^th). Eels teams will face stiff competition as they take on the Red River Spartans, the Metro Jets, the Toledo Cherokee, the Minnesota Squatch, the WB Scranton Knights, Hampton Roads Whalers, Charlotte Rush, and the Carolina Jr. Canes.

The USPHL Tampa Showcase will take place at the Advent Health Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida, and provides another great opportunity for our Florida Eels players to gain exposure to some of the best colleges and universities across North America. Be sure to join the Eels live sporting your green and black or tune in live on FloHockey!

Florida Eels Premier and Elite returned Saturday, evening to take on the Northern Cyclones for their third match up of the USPHL Florida College Showcase. With a split with their earlier opponents the Jr. Canes, Florida Eels Elite pulled a 3-2 win over the Jr. Canes earlier in the day; whereas, the Florida Eels Premier fell 5-2 to the Jr. Canes earlier in the day, the Eels came in prepared for their double header of the day and to claim another win.

The Florida Eels Premier faced off against the Northern Cyclones Saturday, December 21^st at 7:00 pm. With Russ Decoste starting his second game of the USPHL Florida College Showcase between the pipes, the Eels lined up and were ready for action. At 13:49 in the first period, Florida Eels Seth Morris assisted by Matthew Cunningham scored the first point of the game. The Eels closed the first period, leading 1-0 over the Northern Cyclones.

The Florida Eels came back in the second period determine to further their lead advantage. At 9:55 in the second Captain Anthony Zebley assisted by Xavier Charron and Owen Blyth scored the Eels second point of the game. The Eels claimed their third goal, at 17:11 in the second, when Eels Viktor Gogh assisted by Ian Dracoulis found the back of the net. The Eels closed the second period with a 3-0 lead over the Northern Cyclones.

With a 3-0 lead at the start of the third period, it was Eels Matthew Cunningham assisted by Brandon Becker who grabbed the Eels fourth and final goal of the game at 7:34. The Northern Cyclones claimed their one and only goal at 19:14 in the third period. The Eels claiming a 4-1 victory over the Northern Cyclones.

The Florida Eels Elite, took the ice shortly before 10:00 pm on Saturday December 21^st to take on the Northern Cyclones. Eels Florida Eels, Filip Vitanov between the pipes for his second game start of the USPHL Florida Showcase (Ethan Rotante to start in third period), the Eels lined up for game action. The Florida Eels Elite fell 7-1 to the Northern Cyclones, the 2023-2024 National Title holders in Saturday’s game. Stepan Kuznets assisted by Ty Elzinga and Zayn Haddon-Harris scored the Eels lone goal in the first period at 14:42.

Both the Florida Eels Premier and Elite will return to Hertz Arena Sunday, December 22^nd to take on the Potomac Patriots for their fourth and final game of the USPHL Florida College Showcase. Florida Eels Elite will face off first at 9:00 am, with the Premier to follow at 11:00 am. Join us live at Hertz Arena for a full day of hockey action, and the Eels last games of the showcase. Can’t join us live? Be sure to watch live on FloHockey! Go Eels!

Friday evening proved to be an action-packed game series between the Florida Eels Premier and Elite versus the Charlotte Rush. The Eels opened their showing at the Florida College Showcase in Estero strong as they each pulled a big win. Saturday, morning the Florida Eels Premier and Elite were set to play the Carolina Jr. Canes. Both teams showed up and were determined to bring home their second win of the showcase. However, the series was split as the Florida Eels Elite pulled off a 3-2 win over the Carolina Jr. Canes, and the Florida Eels Premier fell 5-2.

Florida Eels Elite opened game time action at 9:15 am Saturday, December 21^st against the Carolina Jr. Canes. Florida Eels Landon Blaine, made his debut between the pipes, at the USHPL Florida College Showcase, and the game was off. It was Brantlee Hoffman assisted by Ty Elzinga, who scored the first point of the game at 3:27 in the first. The Eels lead 1-0 over the Jr. Canes at the close of the first period.

The second period remained 1-0, as neither team advanced in putting a puck in the net. However, at 8:44 the Jr. Canes tied the game 1-1. At 11:14 Zayn Haddon-Harris assisted by Jackson Carnes and Zachary Bahret took the lead for the Eels once again scoring the Eels second goal of the game. At 17:35 it was Eels Carmen D’Ambrosio assisted by Jackson Carnes that pushed the Eels lead by two as they scored the Eels third goal of the game. At 18:55 the Jr. Canes closed the gap by one as they scored their second goal of the game. The Eels closed the game, winning 3-2 over the Jr. Canes.

Florida Eels Premier opened the game at 11:15 am Saturday, December 21^st with Noah Van Herik making his debut between the pipes at the USPHL Florida College Showcase. At 13:28, in the first the Carolina Jr. Canes claimed the first point of the game. At 14:40, it was Eels Kenny Granacker assisted by Blake Becker and Brendan Dohan scored the Eels first goal. The Eels closed the first period tied 1-1 with the Jr. Canes.

At 4:21 in the second period, the Jr. Canes claimed the lead once again. However, at 7:52 Florida Eels Captain Anthony Zebley assisted by Xavier Charron and Robbin Kussik scored a power play goal once again tying up the game with the Jr. Canes. At the close of the second the Florida Eels and Jr. Canes were deadlocked 2-2.

The Florida Eels continued to battle in hopes of gaining the lead against the Jr. Canes. However, at 11:43 in the third, the Jr. Canes once again took the lead over the Florida Eels (3-2). The Eels pulled their goalie, Noah Van Herik, as they added a sixth player to the ice in hopes of gaining another point to tie up the game. However, with an empty net the Jr. Canes scored two goals claiming at 5-2 win over the Florida Eels.

Both the Florida Eels Elite and Premier went hope for a quick rest and to regroup before returning for their evening match ups against the Northern Cyclones.

In day one of the Florida College Showcase in Estero the Eels Premier and Elite teams over take the Charlotte Rush for their 1st win of the weekend games. When you talk about “Rivalry Games” these are it. Indeed, there is no bigger rivalry in the USPHL than the Eels and the Rush. The term is often coined These two teams are like “the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.” Both teams are amongst the top in their respective divisions for well over a decade. Both teams have steadfastly finished 1st or 2nd place in the regular season. Both systematically advanced in their Divisional playoffs to Nationals. Both have been amongst the top at Nationals regularly advancing to the semi-finals and finals. These two organizations are also amongst the the leaders in college advancements. Anytime they meet we see the best in Junior Hockey

These two organizations have met so many times over the years and deliver the best of the best. They compete so hard shift after shift, period after period game after game. These games are without doubt the highlight of so many of the Southeast, Estero, Tampa showcase games and Nationals. The attendance by fans and scouts are incredible, Last night was no exception. This was quite evident after the game with a number of college coaches awaiting to talk with these teams prospects.

There is enormous respect for one another. From the players, the coaches to the General Managers.

In the Elite game, we same strong action by both teams. The Eels players put 26 shots on the Rush net minder and put 4 passed them whereas the Rush fired 33 on the Eels goalie Filip Vitanov who turned 30 and held them to 3 for the big win. Period One, it was Zayn Haddon Harris who captured the Eels first goal of the game at 11:06. Brantlee Hoffman grabbed the Eels second goal of the game t 13:39 in the first. The first period closed the Eels and Rush were tied 2-2. The Eels remained scoreless in the second period, with the Rush pulling ahead 3-2-tensions were high. However, the Eels came in strong in the third period, at 7:14, in the third Carmen D’Ambrosio tied the game with the Eels third goal. The Eels were invigorated and at 13:31, Tyson Gagnon grabbed the Eels fourth and final goal.

At the Premier level, the Eels were victorious as well. This one was a real nail-bitter as well. The two teams played with such determination and fortitude. Up and down action. No doubt the game was the focus of the night with college scouts glued to the boards. The hitting, passing, skating, shooting and goaltending was at the “Next Level” You could see it shift after shift, The determination and intensity was unmatched. The game was scoreless until 16:33 of the 2nd period when Yiorgos Bikakis notched his 7th of the season for the actual game winner. Then in an effort to tie the game, the Rush pulled it goalie in the final minute of play to skate 6-5. But the Eels defensive play thawed their attach and the Eels goalie Russ DeCoste continued his stifling performance. Indeed, DeCoste turned away 33 of 33 shots for shutout performance. As an insurance goal, Eels star forward Robin Kuusik
put a 2nd one past the Rush net minder for a 2-0 final.

Here once again we saw a number of college coaches down both the Eels and Rush locker-rooms. This is why the players gravitate to these two marquee programs. The players from both organizations represented their teams and the league with professionalism and class.

Florida Eels are excited to take the ice tomorrow afternoon, as they take on the Bold City Battalion, in a make-up game. The Eels and Battalion last faced off in late October, when the game was called short. The game will start at 12:30pm at the Fort Myers Skatium, in the middle of the first period.

The Florida Eels and Battalion not only battle for the game win but the title of second place in the Florida Division. The Bold City Battalion currently hold the second-place spot with 20 games played with 32 points. The Eels are right behind them, in the third-place spot with 20 games played with 29 points. A win for the Eels would close the gap held by the Battalion before both team’s head to the USPHL Estero College Showcase this weekend (December 20^th-22^nd). Who will win tomorrows match up? Join us live at the Fort Myers Skatium or live on FloHockey!