The Florida Eels Empire team looked very strong in  this past weekend's games. The Florida Eels Empire team also played host to the Atlanta Knights Empire team over the weekend at the Fort Myers Skatium. Like the Elite squad, this was the Empire team's first official games. The boys had trained for 14 days but only one week as a team. There were a lot of uncertainties of course and we were all very anxious to see how they came out.

In game one the two teams matched up extremely even. It was a very close match up as the forwards drove up and down the ice only to be denied time and time again by both net minders. The Eels coach, Frankie Scarpaci was so pleased with the defensive play by his players. He said, not just the D-Men. The forwards back checked like we were in February playoffs. It was impressive indeed. In the end Atlanta won 1-0 but the coaching staff was anything but disappointed. The guys performed very well in all 3 zones and in net.

In game two the Eels Empire squad came out with even more fire under their belly. They turned on the attack just a bit and continued with their tenacious back checking. This time the Eels scored first and never looked back. They scored 2 more and completely denied Atlanta in the scoring department as Daryl Smith earned the game with  his first shutout of his young junior career.

 The Empire team then played an additional Exhibition game vs. the University of Tampa and it was the excitement of the weekend, The game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation and went into a 5 minute OT. The score remained scoreless after OT and then it went to a 3-man shoot out. At the end of the 3 man shoot out the score remained tied. The Eels finally won with a sudden death goal by TJ Clingerman.

 Over the weekend Stephen Bourque, Liam McCume and Bill Boeberg all scored 2 goals. Rookie Bryan Miller accumulated 3 assist.  Great way to start the season.