The Wandering Disciple

The weather is getting colder in Florida and that can only mean one thing, its hockey time in the Sunshine State. As the temps drop, the action gets hotter as the Florida Everblades begin their 2020-2021 season tonight with a home opener against Jacksonville. After last year's season came to an abrupt end due to COVID-19, this season begins with new measures to keep players and fans safe during the pandemic. (Photo: February 3, 2018)

Estero, Florida:  It may be warm outside in Southwest Florida, but inside Germain Arena, the ice is cold and the action is hot.  It is here in this frozen palace where the hockey stars of tomorrow get their chance to shine and fight to be on of only a few who make it all the way to the NHL. I grew up attending AHL hockey games as a kid in Pennsylvania.  Many of nights were spent at Hersheypark Arena watching the Hershey Bears play.  When I moved from PA, I kind of lost sight of live games.  While I still enjoyed the games on TV, it really didn't feel like hockey weather when its almost 90 degrees in winter.  For years I have wanted to take the hour drive south to Germain Arena but never really made it down there.  But on a Saturday night in February, I pulled the trigger and headed to a game. Saturday night's game featured the hometown Florida Everblades hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in an ECHL regular season game.  The ECHL is a mino...