Everblades on the Brink of Series Win

ESTERO, Fla. – It took a nailbiting 4-2 win in Game Three of the South Division Finals, but the Florida Everblades are one victory away from making the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season. The Blades look for a series sweep in Game Four of the second round on Thursday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kia Center. 

Game Three in Orlando was inarguably the closest game of the series to date. Florida struck first with a Zach Uens blast in the first period and followed it up with a Todd Skirving extender in the second. But Orlando would retaliate quickly, making it a 2-1 game at the end of the second off a Mitchell Hoelscher wrister. The Bears would then tie the game five minutes into the third from Darik Angeli. But the Blades would get the last laugh on a Matt Wedman goal off of a giveaway in the attacking zone. Oliver Chau then sealed it with an empty netter. 

That stretch of 2-2 hockey was the only time this series has been tied outside of 0-0 situations. In the first three games, the Solar Bears have yet to lead the Everblades. 

Florida has now won six consecutive playoff games dating back to Game Five of the opening round against Jacksonville. In the other Eastern Conference series, the Norfolk Admirals lead the Adirondack Thunder 2-1, game four of that series will be played on May 10. 

BLADES BITS

Josh Ho-Sang and Bobo Carpenter both had two assists. Ho-Sang’s ninth helper of the postseason is just one assist off the league lead in the playoffs. It was Ho-Sang’s third two-helper game this postseason – and second in a row – after tallying five two-assist performances in the regular season. For Carpenter, the two-point effort was his second of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Ho-Sang leads the Everblades with five points in the Orlando series, with all points coming by way of the assist. Three Blades are right on Ho-Sang’s heels, as Bobo Carpenter (4A), Matt Wedman (1G, 3A), and Mark Senden (1G, 3A) each have four points through the first three games.

Cam Johnson’s 33-save effort was his top performance of the 2024 postseason in a winning effort. Johnson’s playoff high this season is 35, which he posted in an overtime loss to Jacksonville in Game Three of the opening round. In the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Johnson leads all ECHL netminders with seven wins and 277 saves, while ranking fourth with a 1.96 GAA and seventh with a .933 save percentage.

JOIN THE FUN 

Tickets for home games in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and Scanlon 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

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