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The Florida Eels Elite fired up and ready to claim a win, to tie the first seed spot against the Tampa Bay Juniors entered the ice on Thursday, afternoon to take on the Florida Jr. Blades. However, they feel short as Florida Jr. Blades Elite claim a 6-3 victory in Thursday, November 21^st match up against the Florida Eels Elite. Although the Eels did not meet their goal of closing the point differential with the Tampa Bay Juniors, who currently have 27 points to the Eels 25, with a win today-hope is not lost!

With Ethan Rotante staring his eight game between the pipes, the Eels lined up to face off at 1:45 pm. At 5:16 in the first the Florida Jr. Blades claimed their first point of the game. At 6:36, it was Florida Eels Lorik Tremblay assisted by Tyson Gagnon, who claimed his first goal of the game and goal for the Eels-tying up the game 1-1. At 7:47 in the first it was Jackson Carnes, assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris and Filip Nyberg, that propelled  the Eels into a 2-1 lead over the Jr. Blades. However, at 16:13 and 17:12 the Jr. Blades secured two more goals in their favor, closing the first period with a 3-2 lead over the Florida Eels.

The Florida Eels, fighting back tied the game 3-3 at 2:16 in the second when Lorik Tremblay assisted by Stepan Kuznets, secured his second goal of the game. The Eels continued to fight for another opportunity to find the back of the net but were sadly unable too. At 15:05 in the second, the Jr. Blades again captured the lead and closed the period 4-3.

The Eels came out, with hopes of regaining control of the game, and scoring points in their favor during the third period. However, the Florida Jr. Blades, pushed the goal differential by two when they scored another goal at 4:45 in the third. Even though the Eels continued to try to find opportunities to reach the back of the net throughout the third period, it was the Jr. Blades who solidified a 6-3, when they scored their final goal at 18:58 in the third. Thus, the Florida Jr. Blades, claiming a 6-3 victory over the Florida Eels Elite.

However, hope of the first-place seed title is not lost for the Florida Eels Elite. The Florida Eels Elite, will need to shake of today’s loss against the Florida Jr. Blades, as they have a quick turn around with another game tomorrow, Friday, November 22^nd in Tampa as they showdown for the first place slot in the Florida Division. A win against the current first place seed, the Tampa Bay Juniors, in tomorrow’s match up would slide the Eels into a co-hold of the first-place seed in the Florida Division. The Florida Eels are known for their tremendous grit and ability to come back and show up when it counts and the Eels are determined to slide into the first place slot to have co-hold the first place seen along with the Tampa Bay Juniors.

The Eels will head home for some rest and recovery before game day preparations tomorrow. Coaches will go back to the drawing board, and new action plans will be drawn ahead of tomorrow’s game time action. The Eels will double down on their efforts in preparation for tomorrow’s showdown match up against the Tampa Bay Juniors. Join the Florida Eels live at the Advent Health Center Ice Arena in Wesley Chapel for tomorrow’s 7:00pm puck drop or watch live on FloHockey. Let’s Go Eels!

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

The Florida Eels Premier and Elite will face off against the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday, November 22^nd in Wesley Chapel at the Advent Health Center Ice, to battle for the first-place seed in the Florida Division. Just like every season the battle for first among these two clubs, continues to be a fight till the end, and this season proves no different. It is the ultimate mid-season old fashion showdown between these two clubs and anyone could come out on top! Who will it be?

In the Premier Division, it is a showdown between the Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors for the first place seed. As luck would have it these two clubs will face off this week, at 5:00 pm to see who will claim the title of first place. The Florida Eels Premier sit tied with the Tampa Bay Juniors for the first-place seed with a current 26 points, with 18 games played, 12 Wins, 4 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 1 shootout loss. The Tampa Bay Juniors also sit currently with 26 points: 15 games played, 13 wins, 2 losses, and 3 shoot out wins. Who will take Friday’s victory, earning an additional two points to claim the top spot before Thanksgiving Break? Our bet is on the Florida Eels of course. The Eels continue to prove themselves time and time again. With major recent games won against teams like the Fort Wayne Spacemen and MJDP, the Eels have shown that they are more than capable of holding the first-place seed title. Tune in to see them pull it off.

In the Elite Division, the Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors are battling to hold the first-place seed. The Tampa Bay Juniors currently hold the first-place seed with 27 points: 15 games played, 13 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. The Florida Eels Elite, are sitting right behind them in a close second with 25 points, with 18 games played, 12 games won, 5 games lost, and 1 game tied. The Eels will have an opportunity to tie the Tampa Bay Juniors on two occasions this week: the first on Thursday, when the face the Florida Jr. Blades. If the Eels win this game, they will go into Friday’s game as co-seed first place title holders with the Juniors. This would allow them to take a solo spot as the first place seed title with a win against the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday. Will the Eels advance to a solo spot as the number one seed or co-hold  the position? The Tampa Bay Juniors are hoping to gain another victory, furthering their point lead and lead on first; whereas, the Eels are hoping to gain a victory against the Florida Jr. Blades and the the Tampa Bay Juniors to hold the solo spot. Will the Juniors hold the tile, will they have to share the spotlight with the Eels, or will the Eels take the tile solo? Our bet is the Eels will hold the first seed title after their double header. The Eels continue to show up and have stellar games, and this should be no different. Tune in and watch the Eels this Thursday and Friday, as they inch their way to the top.

Eels fans are prepared and ready to cheer loudly, hoping to bring home the first place title over the break. Will the boys pull it off? They have been preparing tirelessly all week with countless drills, video hours, gym and off-ice work. In the end it will come down to grit and power, and the Eels are ready. Join us at the Advent Health Center Ice, to cheer on the Florida Eels for the las time before their Thanksgiving break, or stream live and cheer from the comforts of your own home on FloHockey. Let’s bring the noise! Let’s Go Eels!

Date: November 22nd

Teams: The Florida Eels vs. Tampa Bay Juniors

Location: Advent Health Center Ice (Wesley Chapel)

Time: 5:00pm Premier & 7:00pm Elite

Written by Nikki Scarpaci Fliss

It is surely a funny concept. Every season starting in April, GM Scarpaci and his cadre’ of 6 coaches head on recruiting missions across the USA Canada Europe and most recently Asia. We scout literally 1,000’s of players , host 12 teams between the post season Chowder Cup teams, tryouts of upwards of 400 players from its various tryouts and Spring and Summer Showcase teams all in search for players for its upcoming season.

Our schedule will show ½ dozen games against cross town rivals the Florida Jr. Blades, our West Coast foes the Tampa BayJuniors , the  Atlanta Mad Hatters our East Coast rivals the Palm Beach Typhoon, in addition to 2-3 games verus top competitors like the the Charlotte Rush, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, and the Potomac Patriots. We will have games against the Metro Jets, the Toledo Cherokee, the Islanders Hockey Club, the Norther Cyclones, the Jersey Hitmen, the Rockets Hockey Club and several others. One can ask who are the Eels biggest Challenge?

Well to be honest with you they all are formable foes. All indeed very competitive year in and year out. Some a bit stronger depending on the year. After all it is Junior Hockey.  From an Eels coaching and management perspective we know that the stronger our opponents, are the better we will be during playoff time and advancement to Nationals. You always should remember that in the end regular season games are in fact “training games” for the playoffs and Nationals.

The Eels hallmark is our training and prepartation. The Eels are indeed intense. We have one key ingredient: Work! We undergo 4 weeks of pre-season training that includes 6+ hours per day, 7 days per week, Then during the regular season we train 4 – 5 hours per day including: gym, video training, dry land shooting and ice. In addition to our regular division games, we attend 4 showcases.

However, each year no matter how hard we train, how hard we work, we face a far stronger and more rigorous opponent than any team we face on a weekly basis. That foe is the annual Hurricane. To many they look at it as “strong and forceful storm”.  Indeed it has  “Power” that  includes wins well over 100 MPH. and storm surges with impactful flooding. To many, including the best meteorologist, think that the Hurricanes forces pass through and then dissipate. But this is a fallacy. In fact, the Eels, who have battled and taken on the likes of Hurricane Ian, Hurrican Hellene and Hurricane Milton over the past several years, harnessed the forces, power and storm strength into the very fabric and DNA of each and every player in the Eels organization.  This strength emirates from, our resolve, intestinal fortitude, determination and will to prepare, endure, experience and community volunteerism.

The Hurricane experience builds character far beyond hockey. It builds appreciation and community responsibility that is impossible to explain unless you are here. It shows our young men this is life and bigger than ice Hockey.

Well just look at the proof in the proverbial pudding. The Eels have won the playoffs 10 years; The Eels have advanced to Nationals 10 years, the Eels have made it to the semi-finals and finals more than any other program. Well folks we do attribute our systematic and continuous accomplishments to our unique training program: 5 hours per day 5 days per week. This backed by our very talented and dedicated coaching staff, allows us to set ourselves apart from others.

However, there are certain intangibles that tip us over the edge. Things that help us dig deep, and find a determination and grit like no other. We harness the POWER  from these hurricane winds, the fortitude, resolve commitment and dedication. Our boys learned to channel, to propel these ingredients to their year-end mission and goals. So when someone ask who are the Eels number one rivalry is, you can easily say the Hurricanes. But just like our other rivalries, we take them on and we win!

Written by Florida Eels GM: Frank Scarpaci

Premier

Florida Eels Spotlight Forward, Xavier Charron. Charron joins the Eels this year, and has been quite the power forward. Charron has stared in 19 games, has had five goals, eleven assists and sixteen total points so far this season. Xavier has demonstrated his tremendous play making skills single handily gain at least a point a game. Congratulations, Xavier!

Elite

Florida Eels Spotlight Elite Forward, William “Billy” Torrone. Torrone in his first season for the Eels, has stared in 13 games, and scored his first two goals of the season in Sunday’s match up against the Florida Jr. Blades. Congratulations, Billy!

Florida Eels Premier faced off against the Florida Jr. Blades, on Sunday afternoon at 12:30pm. After securing a 5-1 victory over the Palm Beah Typhoon on Friday, the Eels returned home for their first home game since last month. Fort Myers Skatium stands full of Eels fans, the Eels players were ready to bring home another win, this time on home ice. With Noah Van Herik in net, the Eels lined up ready to face off against the Florida Jr. Blades.

With the fans in the stands making the noise, the Eels had fire in their blood. The boys ready to gain another win, and were fired up. With back-and-forth action, the Eels worked continually to gain the first point of the game. At 12:41, Mitchell Wilson assisted by Xavier Charron scored the first point of the game. At 16:57, Xavier Charron assisted by Seth Morris grabbed the Eels second goal of the game. At the end of the first period, the Eels led 2-0 over the Florida Jr. Blades.

Eels energized from the first period, came with the energy to the ice. The Eels worked hard to gain an additional point. At 8:29 in the second period, the Florida Jr. Blades, scored a rebound goal, cutting the Eels lead in half, 2-1. However, at 9:09 in the second the Eels, Anthony Zebley assisted by Kenny Granaker and Alex Cochran find a quick response claiming the Eels third goal of the game. At midway through regulation the Eels now led 3-1 over the Florida Jr. Blades. After a bit of action behind the net, the Eels fended off a five-minute major. At 18:01, Seth Morris assisted by Alex Cochran and Xavier Charron grabbed goal four for the Eels. However, the Florida Jr. Blades, had a quick response at 18:58 scoring their second goal of the game, again cutting the Eels lead by half. At the end of the second period, the Eels led 4-2.

With a 4-2 lead over the Florida Jr. Blades, the Eels hit the ice ready to work. They knew the mission ahead and knew they had to come out strong. The boys rallied, and the fans cheered, another goal on the minds of everyone in the rink. Would it be for the Eels, or would it be in favor of the Blades closing the gap? Each team trying to gain a point, the Eels to further their lead, the Blades to cut the Eels goal lead. However, after 20 minutes in the third period, the third period remained scoreless. The boys had worked, and it was time to claim their victory! The Florida Eels claim a 4-2 WIN over the Florida Jr. Blades.

The Florida Eels Premier will head to Tampa, to take on the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday, November 22^nd. The Premier will face off at 5:00 pm at the Advent Health Center in Wesley Chapel. Join the Eels for their last game before the Thanksgiving break, in Tampa or watch live on FloHockey.

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

Florida Eels Elite faced off against cross town rivals Florida Jr. Blades, Sunday morning at 9:30am, and it was a good ole barn burn as they claimed a 7-5 victory. The Eels returned back from Palm Beach where they claimed 5-2 victory over Palm Beach Typhoon. The Eels came out fired up in front of the home crowd. The noise was brought, and fire was lit. With Ethan Rotante between the pipes, the Eels lined up and were ready for puck drop!

At 9:11 in the first period, Billy Torrone assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris, grabbed his first goal of the season, and the first point for the Eels. At 14:19, the Florida Jr. Blades tied up the game. However, at 14:42 Lorik Tremblay assisted by Tyson Gagnon and Stepan Kuznets scored his first goal of the game, and the second goal for the Eels. At the close of the first period, the Eels lead 2-1 over the Jr. Blades.

The Eels were bubbling with energy when they hit the ice during the second period, and at :402 Lorik Trembly assisted by Nikita Schevyev and Tyson Gagnon scored his second goal of the game and the Eels third. At 9:28, the Florida Jr. Blades, scored their second goal, closing the gap by one. At 13:30 in the second period, Brantlee Hofffman assisted by Asher Hamlin and Paxton Campbell claimed the Eels fourth goal. The Jr. Blades scored their third goal at 14:47 in the second period. However, at 15:37, the Eels Zayn Haddon-Harris assisted by Jackson Carnes and Filip Nyberg grabbed the Eels fifth goal. At 17:47, the Jr. Blades, scored their fourth goal of the game. At the close of the second the Eels held a 5-4 lead over the Florida Jr. Blades.

The Eels, determined to push the lead came out with a fire in their blood. At 4:08 Billy Torrone assisted by Ty Elzinga and Colin McMahon, grabbed his second goal of the game-the Eels sixth goal of the game. At 8:33, the Florida Jr. Blades scored their fifth goal of the game. The Eels solitified their win, at 19:30 when Stepan Kuznets assisted Ty Elzinga and Lorik Tremblay with the Eels seventh and final goal of the game.

The battle between the Florida Jr. Blades was a strong back and forth game. In the end, the Eels pulled a 7-5 victory. The Eels will face off against the Florida Jr. Blades this Thursday, November 21^st at 1:45pm at Hertz Arena. Will the Eels pull another win against the Blades, join us at Hertz or stream the game live on FloHockey.

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

Florida Eels Premier and Elite traveled to Palm Beach, Florida to take on our East Coast rivals the Palm Beach Typhoon. After being on the road for two weeks, the Eels returned back to Florida. The Eels had a combined 10 goals against the Typhoon compared to their combined three goals, pulling off a double win Friday.

The Florida Eels Premier faced off against the Palm Beach Typhoon Friday, November 15^th at 12:00 pm. With Goaltender Russ Decoste between the pipes, the Eels lined up and were ready to play. At 5:35 in the first period, Sixten Gidlund assisted by Yiorgos Bikikas clinched the first goal for the Eels. At 6:34 in the first, Alex Cochran assisted by Anthony Zebley and Brandon Becker grabbed the Eels second goal. At 11:11 in the first period, Xavier Charron assisted by Brendan Dohan grabbed the Eels third goal of the game. At the end of the first, the Eels held a 3-0 lead over the Typhoon.

The second period was action packed but yielded no goals from either team. At 8:36 in the third period, the Palm Beach Typhoon scored their only goal of the game. The Eels responded at 9:06 in the third, when Blake Becker assisted by Brendan Dohan and Teddy Feng scored the Eels final goal. The Florida Eels Premier claimed a 5-1 victory over the Palm Beach Typhoon.

The Florida Eels Elite took the ice at 3:00 pm on Friday, November 15^th to face off against the Palm Beach Typhoon. Filip Vitanov between the pipes for his 10^th game of the season,  the team prepared for face off. At 8:58 in the first period, Spencer Hambling assisted by Paxton Campbell and Ty Elzinga scored his first goal of the game and the first goal for the Eels. The Eels closed the period leading 1-0 over the Palm Beach Typhoon.

The Palm Beach Typhoon, grabbed a quick goal at :38 seconds into the second period, tying up the game 1-1. At 9:23 in the second period, Jackson Carnes assisted by Etienne Cartier scored the Eels second goal and took a 2-1 lead against the Palm Beach Typhoon. At 18:27 in the second period Tyson Gagnon assited by Brantlee Hoffman and Ty Elzinga scored the Eels third goal of the game. At the end of the second the Eels lead 3-1 over the Palm Beach Typhoon.

At :16 in the third period, Nikita Shchevyev assisted by Paxton Campbell and Tyson Gagnon clinched the Eels fourth goal of the game. At 8:51 in the third, Spencer Hambling assisted by Tyson Gagnon, grabbed his second goal of the game and the Eels fifth goal. The Palm Beach Typhoon claimed their second goal at 17:45 in the third period. The Florida Eels Elite claimed a 5-2 victory over the Palm Beach Typhoon.

Both the Florida Eels Premier and Elite head back HOME to the Fort Myers Skatium. Both Eels teams will take on the Florida Jr. Blades, on Sunday, November 17^th, for their last home game before the Thanksgiving break. The Florida Eels Elite will face off at 9:30 am, followed by the Florida Eels Premier at 12:30 pm. Join us live, packing the house, at the Fort Myers Skatium wearing your Black and Green, for this action packed game! Let’s make some noise, let’s bring the heat! Both games, will be streamed live on FloHockey, and you can follow along on Instagram for live game updates. Let’s Go Eels.

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

The USPHL named Captain Anthony Zebley as Florida’s Premier Player of the Week. Zebley had an impressive weekend at the Indiana Showcase scoring 5 points, and using impressive skill to help lead the team to three overall victories. For the full story visit the USPHL website.

The UPSPHL named Zayn Haddon-Harris, as Florida’s Elite Player of the Week. Haddon-Harris had an impressive showing at the Indiana Showcase. Haddon-Harris continues to demonstrate his playmaking abilities and helping lead his team to victories. For the full story visit the USPHL website.

The Florida Eels have played some stiff competition over the past two weeks. Starting their journey in Atlanta, Georgia to play a two-game series against the Atlanta Mad Hatters with a quick trip back to Fort Myers, before they played in the Mid-West College Showcase in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Florida Eels have no doubt worked hard and showed defining work ethic and team commitment. We are excited as the Eels return back to their home state of Florida, where they will take on a double header weekend.

Friday, November 15^th, the Eels will play our East Coast rivals the Palm Beach Typhoon in Lake Worth, Florida. Eels Premier will face off against the Typhoon Friday, November 15^th at 12:00 pm, and the Eels Elite will face off against the Typhoon at 3:00 pm. The Eels last faced the Typhoon last month were the Premier walked away with an 8-0 win and the Elite Eels won 7-5. Will they be able to pull another win this Friday? Join the Eels live at the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth Florida or stream the games live on Flohockey.

Sunday, November 17^th the Eels return HOME! That’s right your Florida Eels are returning HOME to the Fort Myers Skatium for their first home games since last month! The Eels will be playing their cross town rivals the Florida Jr. Blades. These games will be sure to be action packed and high energy as each team, battles for a win and bragging rights in Lee County. The Eels Elite will face off against the Jr. Blades Sunday, November 17^th at 9:30 am and the Eels Premier will follow with a face off against the Jr. Blades at 12:30 pm. The Eels Premier last took on the Jr. Blades last Wednesday, November 6^th at Hertz arena skating away with a 4-3 win. Whereas, the Eels Elite last played the Jr. Blades on October 20^th at the Fort Myers Skatium, where they skated away with a 3-2 win. This time both teams will be playing on home ice, who else is excited?! Will the Eels pull off another win, or will the Jr. Blades skate away with the win? Join us live at the Fort Myers Skatium or stream live on FloHockey.

Returning home from Indiana Monday, the Eels got back to work and immediately began preparing for the competition ahead this weekend. They are prepared and determined to bring home another two wins this weekend. Lets pack the house and bring the noise! Join us at home this Sunday, dressed in your black and green and ready to watch some action-packed hockey!

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss