ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades clinched a playoff spot with a 4-2 win over the Savannah Ghost Pirates Wednesday night in front of 6,419 fans.
Florida outshot Savannah 18-9 in the first period, including nine shots on two power plays, but both teams failed to score in the opening period.
After much of the second period continued the same way, the two teams got goals less than a minute apart. Nick Granowicz scored a nice backhand goal to open the scoring; just 53 seconds later, Craig Needham scored his seventh goal of the season on a two-on-one rush.
Early in the third, Carson Gicewicz scored on a shorthanded breakaway to give Florida their first lead of the game. Gicewicz leads Florida with 21 goals and three shorthanded markers this season.
The Everblades added a power play goal late in the frame with Oliver Chau getting a touch on Kade Landry’s point shot for goal 18 on the year to put Florida up by two. That goal ended up being important as Devon Paliani got the Ghost Pirates back within one with the goalie pulled. Dillon Hamaliuk added an empty net goal to end things off and put Florida in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
BLADES BITS
- Florida is the first team in the ECHL to clinch a playoff spot this season.
- Alex Kile is on a seven-game point streak with an assist tonight. This point streak ties Colin Theisen for the longest point streak this season.
---
JOIN THE FUN
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. 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.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers