BLADES WIN GAME SEVEN 4-0

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –  It takes four wins to advance in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. 

Wednesday night in North Florida, the Florida Everblades defeated the host Jacksonville Icemen 4-0, secured that fourth win, and completed an impressive comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to win the South Division Semifinal series 4-3.

Offensively, a four-goal second period – one night after scoring three goals in the middle frame – completed the Everblades’ comeback in the series and eliminated the second-seeded Icemen for the third straight postseason. 

Defensively, Cam Johnson made 27 saves in his first shutout of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs and the ninth postseason shutout of his Everblades career.

With the first-round series in the books, the Blades now move onto the South Division Finals, in which the squad will hold home-ice advantage over the Orlando Solar Bears.

All of the offense came in the second period, as the Everblades scored three goals in a span of 4:02 to take control of the decisive game with a 3-0 lead. Will Reilly (2:24), Sean Josling (4:36) and Cam Darcy (6:26) did the damage as the good guys erupted in the middle frame for the second straight night. Cole Moberg added a shorthanded goal at the 18:48 mark as the Blades pulled ahead 4-0, a lead that would stand the rest of the way.

 

Oliver Chau and Logan Lambdin both registered two assists, while Reilly also added an assist for a two-point night. Josh Ho-Sang and Todd Skirving also had assists for the Everblades.

The Everblades will have home ice advantage for the 2024 South Division Finals, which get underway with Games One and Two on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, respectively, at Hertz Arena. Friday’s game will begin at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s puck drop will be at 7:00 p.m. Games Three, Four and Five (if necessary) will be played in Orlando on May 7, 9 and 12. Should the series require a Game Six or Game Seven, those contests would be played at Hertz Arena on May 14 and 15. 

 

Tickets for South Division Finals games that will be played at Hertz Arena will go on sale Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. Fans may purchase tickets at the Fifth Third Bank Box Office at Hertz Arena, online HERE, or by calling the Everblades office at 239-948-PUCK.

Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information on the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Lexus and to purchase tickets for games played at Hertz Arena. 

 

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BLADES BITS

The Everblades have now won nine straight playoff series, as the squad continues its quest to become the first ECHL team to win three consecutive Kelly Cup Championships.

Florida has won all four postseason series against Jacksonville. The Everblades have eliminated the Icemen from the postseason three years in a row.

In addition to playing a scoreless first period for the fourth time in the seven-game series, the Everblades and Icemen combined to play a scoreless period for the eighth time this postseason.

Thanks to four goals in the second period – and seven in the middle frame in the final two games – the Everblades registered 13 of the team’s 16 goals in the series in the middle period. In the seven-game set, Florida scored one goal in the first period, one goal in the third period and one goal in overtime. 

Cam Johnson improved to 35-9-3 in postseason play in goal for the Everblades. Johnson’s first shutout of the 2024 postseason was his ninth playoff clean sheet for the Blades. He registered four shutouts in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs and four more in the 2023 postseason, en route to a pair of June M. Kelly Playoff Most Valuable Player Awards.

Wednesday Night’s Scoresheet 

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JOIN THE FUN 

Tickets for home games in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Lexus are available now, as are 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff Packages, which include games in all four rounds. To learn more, please click HERE.

Season ticket plans for the 2024-25 campaign are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2024-25 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits, and options click HERE. 

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more! Everblades put FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades' easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular- season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825. 

Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop! 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM, or online at espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com. Stay up to date by following the Blades on social media with all the latest news, scores, and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.