Florida Eels Premier Team v. Florida Jr. Blades Friday Night 5:00 PM Hertz Arena
Today at Hertz Arena come down and join us if you are in town as our hometown Florida Eels Premier team takes on their cross-town rivals the Jr Blades at 5:00 pm in the first of the home and away series this weekend. On Saturday back at the Fort Myers Skatium, the home of the Florida Eels, we play host to the Blades at 3:20 pm. Last night we all saw the Eels Elite team seize their 2 points as they drowned the Blades in their 3-2 win.
The Eels Premier team has been pretty impressive this season. They have a 8-2 over all record. They sit 1stin the Florida Division with 16 points. The Blades are in 4thin the Florida Division with 6 points. They have 3 wins and 7 losses. The Blades have scored 30 GF and allowed 47 GA. Compared to the Eels who have scored 43 GF and allowed 23 GA. The Eels not only are 1stin their division they are ranked #1 in the entire USPHL Premier Division.
Now all of that is interesting reading and impressive analytics. How do you expect the Blades or any opponent to respond? They will be coming out on fire. Throwing everything they can at the Eels. They have videos and will look for any cracks or seems they can find in the Eels game. They will try to trap the Eels explosive and I mean explosive offense. So, folks don’t be fooled by the standings or the stats. Moreover, the Jr Blades and Eels programs are one of the best rivalries in Junior hockey. They are cross town rivals and are battling not only for positioning in the standings but supremacy of Southwest Florida and Florida Jr Hockey in general.
But do not think the Eels will come out flat or complacent. No team coached by Frankie Scarpaci will succumb to that. He breaks down every aspect of his opponents. Game by game period by period and shift by shift. Coach Scarpaci spends inordinate amount of time studding their systems, their players and coaches. He reviews all of these aspects and components with his players. He also does the same analysis of his own players performances. Seeing where his players’ weaknesses are and spends considerable time critiquing and resolving these inequities. He is a student of the game and transfers his effort to the ice. You can see how this has transcended in his players. They have explosive speed and an incredible and relentless fore-check. You can see the fire in their eyes, and they all enjoy the insatiable appetite to score. They are very exciting to watch. However, to the chagrin of the Eels opponents, they love back checking as much as their offense. Why? Coach’s philosophy: Defense first. That is how you win the big games That is how you win Championships. So tonight, expect all cylinders firing for the Eels. Pedal to the medal so to speak.
The games are always lively and extremely competitive. They play at the highest level. It is playoff atmosphere and it is only October. But no, it is Eels vs Jr Blades
Come on down and watch the best hockey in Florida. Tonight, early game 5:00 pm Hertz Arena or if you cannot make it catch it on HockeyTV
