ESTERO, Fla. -- The Florida Everblades are preparing for their 2018 home opener after ending last season just short of the Kelly Cup.
Their home opener is Friday at the newly-renamed Hertz Arena.
The team held their media day Wednesday. They came up one game short in the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals last season, losing in Game 7 at home to the Colorado Eagles.
The Everblades began this season last weekend with two road games against the Newfoundland Growlers, and return home with a 1-1 record.,
It's too soon to predict how they'll do over the course of the 50 game season, but the team says they are focused on getting back to, and ultimately winning, the Kelly Cup this year.
The 'Blades face the Norfolk Admirals Friday and Saturday.
One interesting change this season is that their home ice is tinted yellow in honor of the arena's name change from Germain Arena to Hertz Arena, inspired by the company's signature bright yellow branding.
The car rental company, who is headquartered in Estero, purchased naming rights to the arena this summer, and have pending plans to paint the building's exterior a bright yellow.
