The ECHL Department of Player Safety has issued a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine to Florida Everblades forward Andrew Fyten following a boarding incident in Game #724. This game, held at Hertz Arena on February 22, 2025, ended in a 6-2 loss to the Tahoe Knight Monsters.
How Fyten’s Boarding Incident Shifted the Game
In this contest, Fyten’s boarding penalty in the second period at 12:33 proved pivotal. His 5-minute penalty—escalated to a 10-minute game misconduct—disrupted the Everblades’ defensive structure at a critical juncture. With Florida temporarily shorthanded, the Tahoe Knight Monsters capitalized on on the ensuing power play. The Knight Monsters scored at 13:03 when Bear Hughes netted the goal. He was assisted by Isaac Johnson and Jett Jones whose precise passes helped create the scoring opportunity. After the power play goal, the score was 4-1 in favor of Tahoe, making Florida’s deficit even more challenging to overcome.
Tahoe ultimately outscored Florida across all three periods despite Florida registering 32 shots compared to Tahoe’s 25. The penalty added to Florida’s 45 total combined penalty minutes in the game which contributed to a shift in game flow that the Knight Monsters had exploited.
Disciplinary Action
Despite being a key contributor this season—with two goals, one assist, and 23 penalty minutes in 11 games—Fyten’s on-ice penalty and suspension now sidelines him for the upcoming game against the South Carolina Stingrays on February 26.
The suspension was imposed under Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline, reinforcing the league’s determination to uphold safety and sportsmanship standards. In line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, fines collected from such incidents contribute to the PHPA’s ECHL Player’s Hardship Fund.https://twitter.com/ECHLPlayerSfty/status/1893768042053505109
South Division Standings
As the Florida Everblades prepare for their pivotal South Division matchup, Fyten’s absence could affect team performance, giving South Carolina a chance to narrow the gap. The recent 6-2 loss to Tahoe, coupled with Fyten’s suspension, makes this upcoming contest particularly significant.
Florida currently leads the division with 78 points and a .750 winning percentage, while South Carolina follows closely with 69 points and a .690 mark. This game presents an opportunity for the Stingrays to challenge Florida’s top position and potentially alter the standings.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Florida Everblades will host the South Carolina Stingrays at Hertz Arena, with puck drop at 7:30 PM EST.
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