After splitting two games against the Charlotte Checkers Friday and Saturday, it’s apparent that wins are not going to come easy for the Florida Everblades (2-2-1) this season.

Whether it’s their opponents own tenacity and desire to play their best against an Everblades squad picked by many to win the Kelly Cup, or their own mistakes on the ice, the Blades may be in for a season where seemingly every game is going to be a test.

“There are no more Mississippi’s or Pensacola’s in the league anymore,” said coach Malcolm Cameron after Florida’s 4-2 loss Saturday night to the Checkers. “There are only 20 teams in the league this year, so they are all good.”

It is important to note that with only 20 teams left in the league, the talent pool isn’t as diluted as in the past, and opening the season 2-2-1 against two opponents most believed the Everblades should be able to handle is proof of the difficult challenges ahead for the Blades.

“We have to play our game plan for 60 minutes now, not 30,” said Cameron. “It used to be able to get away with not playing a full 60 minutes against teams like Pensacola and Mississippi who weren’t as strong as the rest of the league and still get a win, but you can’t do it now – the teams are too good.”

By the same token teams have played the full 60 minutes against the Everblades.

The Blades managed to prevail 5-3 Friday night, taking advantage of Charlotte’s mistakes. The Blades scored three third-period goals.

As Cameron said, the Blades need to focus on their power play, putting pucks on the net as well as improving on defense.

Hampering their efforts are injuries to key players Peter Metcalf, Ross Carlson and Kevin Baker.

Baker, in particular, is a tough loss for the Blades. The league’s MVP and leading goal scorer from last year has struggled at times this year, notching only three points through four games. His presence looked to be missing Saturday night as he sat out with an undisclosed hand injury.

“If you can’t win without one player, then you’re not going very far. We win or lose as a team,” said Cameron, putting to rest the idea that injuries were perhaps the reason for the inconsistent play.

The road ahead gets no easier for the Everblades, as they face three games this week against the defending Kelly Cup champs – and division rival – the South Carolina Stingrays.

“Nobody wins a championship in October,” said Cameron, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The way I see it, South Carolina has three tough games ahead this week.”