Blades Face Elimination in Game Five

ESTERO, Fla. – After a 5-0 defeat in Game Four, the Florida Everblades have their backs against the wall with a 3-1 series deficit to the Jacksonville Icemen. The Blades must win three consecutive games against their North Florida rivals to advance to the next round, and that all starts at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Hertz Arena. 

Friday’s game was the second time this series that Jacksonville shut out Florida, as Matt Vernon turned aside all 31 shots the Blades sent his way. The Icemen netted three goals in the second period and two in the third to pull away with the victory. 

Having lost their first two home games of the series, the Everblades will now be faced with an elimination game for the remainder of the set. Games Six and Seven will be back in Duval County next week, if necessary. Florida did not face a single elimination game in last year’s Kelly Cup run. 

The winner of this series will go on to face the winner of the Greenville-Orlando series. The Solar Bears lead 2-1 after an overtime win on Friday. 

Fans are encouraged to wear white to all first-round playoff games!

BLADES BITS

The best two defenses in the ECHL were true to form in the opening period of Game Four. The South Division rivals took a 0-0 score into the first intermission for the second time in the series and played a scoreless period for the fifth time in the series. In the opening frame, the Blades and Icemen combined to put 15 shots on net, matching the series low originally posted in the middle period of Game Two.

Jacksonville’s three-goal second period was the Icemen’s second of the series, as they previously netted three in the third period of Game One. Florida collected three goals in the middle period of Wednesday night’s Game Two.

With a power-play goal in the second period, Jacksonville went 1-for-5 on the man advantage in Game Four and is now 5-for-19 on the power play in the series. The Everblades went 0-for-3 in the contest and is now 0-for-10 this postseason

The Everblades were last shutout multiple times in the Kelly Cup Playoffs back in 2019. Florida was held scoreless in three games by the Newfoundland Growlers in the five-game Eastern Conference Finals won by Newfoundland four games to one.

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! 

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