With Series Level, Blades Return Home for Game Three

ESTERO, Fla. – It took extra hockey, but the Florida Everblades notched their first win of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs in a 2-1 overtime thriller on Sunday afternoon. The South Division semifinals now head south to Hertz Arena for a 7:30 p.m. game on Wednesday, April 24. 

Matthew Wedman was the OT hero on Sunday, lighting the lamp just past the midway point of the extra frame. The goal, Wedman’s first of the season with the Blades in his second game with the team, gave the Blades their first playoff win since June 9, 2023 – the Kelly Cup-securing game. The win was also Florida’s first this season in Duval County. In the regular season, the Everblades went 0-4-2 at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, and lost 4-0 in the opening playoff game. 

Sean Josling potted the Blades’ regulation goal to tie the game 1-1 in the second period. No scoring occurred in the first or third periods of Game Two. 

With three guaranteed home games this week, Florida could win the series without returning to Jacksonville. If the Blades notch three straight wins, that would give them the four victories necessary to move on to the next round. 

All games this week at Hertz Arena will be whiteout games for our fans! Be sure to wear white to celebrate the Everblades’ first Kelly Cup-winning team from 2012. Fans can also enjoy our Hump Day Deals during Game Three, and enjoy $3 beers and hot dogs throughout the game!

BLADES BITS

Matthew Wedman’s game-winning overtime goal was his first marker as an Everblade and his first playoff goal as a pro in his fourth season of ECHL/AHL competition. Wedman has 34 regular-season goals as a pro but had not scored in three prior postseason games. 

No strangers to overtime, the Everblades played seven overtime games in both the 2022 and 2023 Kelly Cup championship runs. The Blades posted a 5-2 mark in overtime games in the 2023 postseason, one year removed from going 6-1 in extra time during the playoffs throughout the team’s 2022 Kelly Cup championship quest.

Sean Josling’s second-period goal was the Everblades’ first marker of the 2024 postseason. A year ago, Josling registered a team-best 20 points, while tying for the team lead with 10 goals during the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Josling’s 20 points in the postseason also tied for the league lead.

The Everblades defeated Jacksonville in both the 2022 and 2023 South Division

Finals, winning those series in four games and six games, respectively. Florida leads the all-time regular-season series 46- 23-16, while also holding a 12-4 edge all-time in postseason games en route to a perfect 3-0 mark over the Icemen in all Kelly Cup Playoff series.

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