ESTERO, Fla. — The Florida Everblades earned five of a possible six points in a three-game set against the Savannah Ghost Pirates, picking up 7–3 and 5–2 victories before falling 2–1 in a shootout Saturday. 

Florida’s strong homestand maintained its cushion atop the South Division standings with 95 points and seven games remaining. The Blades hold an eight-point lead over Atlanta, which has won five straight, and a nine-point edge on South Carolina. Florida also leads the Eastern Conference by five points over Wheeling, the ECHL’s hottest team riding an eight-game winning streak. 

Offense Surging 

The Florida Everblades’ offense surged throughout the week, scoring five or more goals in three consecutive games before Saturday’s 2–1 shootout loss. 

Carson Gicewicz has found his stride since returning from injury, recording a hat trick Friday night while adding two assists Wednesday. Now eight games back, Gicewicz has totaled six points over his last four contests and is quickly reestablishing himself as a key offensive piece after leading Florida in scoring last season.

Kyle Betts also returned to the lineup after missing 19 games, providing an immediate boost to Florida’s depth. Florida’s balanced attack was on full display as 12 skaters recorded a point Wednesday, including six multi-point performances, while 10 different players found the scoresheet in Friday’s win.

“We’re getting healthy, and that gives us depth—we’re a tough team to match up against,” said head coach Brad Ralph following Wednesday’s win. “This time of year, is exciting for our players with nine games left before the playoffs. Everyone wants to be playing well and building confidence. We’re playing as a team right now, and we’re playing hard for each other.”

Playoff Positioning Taking Shape

With seven games remaining, the Florida Everblades remain in control of the South Division and Eastern Conference races as the stretch run begins.

Florida’s magic number to clinch the South Division sits at nine, while the Blades need 12 points to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta and Wheeling each have a game in hand, keeping pressure on Florida as both teams continue to surge down the stretch.

A key opportunity awaits next weekend as the Everblades host South Carolina on April 10–11, giving Florida a direct chance to further solidify its position in the division race.

Five of Florida’s final seven games will come against South Division opponents, setting up a decisive stretch run with playoff positioning still on the line.

Standout Performers 

Oliver Chau – The Everblades captain continued his offensive surge recording six points over the past week (1g-5a) notching consecutive three-point performances to begin the series. Chau earned second star honors Wednesday and third star honors Friday night. 

Craig Needham – The Medford, Massachusetts native continued his breakout season potting a pair of goal in the win Wednesday including the game-winning goal. Needham leads Florida with 22 goals and was named the first star of the game in the series opener against Savannah. 

Sam Stange – Following a record setting second period March 21 against Orlando Stange followed with another strong week notching a pair of helpers Wednesday and scored a critical buzzer beater Friday in the first period to tie the game. The 24-year-old forward has 14 points in 13 games as an Everblade this season. 

Hudson Elynuik – Has heated up offensively for the Blades collecting points in four of his last five games. Elynuik scored Florida’s lone goal on Saturday and added a pair of assists Wednesday. The Calgary, Alberta native earned second star honors Saturday and third star honors Wednesday. 

Cole Moberg – Has fit in seamlessly since rejoining Florida March 4. The two-time Kelly Cup champion has points in four straight games and owns a +4 rating in 10 games. 

By the Numbers 

Florida has been dominant on home ice earning points in 15 straight games posting an 11-0-2-2 mark during this stretch. Florida has not lost in regulation at Hertz Arena since a 2-0 setback against Atlanta January 28. 

The Blades rank seventh in the ECHL in goals per game at 3.38 and sixth in shots per game averaging 32.22 per contest. 

The Everblades are tied for the second-best goal differential in second periods at +34 behind Kansas City which features a league best +36 margin in middle frames. 

Defensively, Florida has been most impressive in third periods holding opponents tied for a league low 42 goals in the final frame (0.64 goals per game in third periods).

Cam Johnson has started 20 of Florida’s last 21 games posting a 15-2-1-2 record with a 1.38 goals-against average and .938 save percentage during this stretch. 

Florida remains unbeaten in regulation this season when wearing specialty jerseys posting a 15-0-2-3 mark in these contests. 

Weekly Rewind (2-0-0-1)

Wednesday: Florida 7, Savannah 3 | Game Sheet

The Florida Everblades scored the first four goals of the game and never looked back in a 7–3 win over the Savannah Ghost Pirates Wednesday night at Hertz Arena. Craig Needham led the way with two goals as six Everblades recorded multi-point performances.

Florida controlled the game early, outshooting Savannah 17–3 in the first period while building a 3–0 lead behind goals from Jesse Lansdell, Oliver Chau, and Reid Duke. Needham added a pair in the second, while Logan Lambdin and Tarun Fizer scored 16 seconds apart in the third to cap the win. Cam Johnson made 21 saves to earn his ECHL-leading 26th victory.

Friday: Florida 5, Savannah 2 | Game Sheet

Carson Gicewicz recorded a hat trick to power the Florida Everblades to a 5–2 win over the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Country Night at Hertz Arena. After Savannah opened the scoring, Sam Stange answered late in the first period to send the game into the intermission tied.

Florida took control in the second period as Gicewicz scored early and Sean Allen gave the Blades the lead heading into the third. Gicewicz added two more in the final frame to complete the hat trick, while Oliver Chau and Jett Jones each recorded multi-point efforts in the victory.

Saturday: Savannah 2, Florida 1 (SO) | Game Sheet

The Everblades closed out the week with a 2–1 shootout loss to Savannah on Affiliation Night at Hertz Arena. Florida controlled the pace throughout, outshooting the Ghost Pirates 47–24, but neither team scored through the first two periods.

Savannah broke through early in the third before Hudson Elynuik answered on the power play to even the game at one. Overtime solved nothing, and the Ghost Pirates secured the extra point in the shootout despite Florida’s strong overall performance.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Florida Everblades are headed onto the road for their final road trip of the regular season when they begin a three-in-three set against the Jacksonville Icemen Thursday, April 2. 

This season Florida is 2-1-1 in Jacksonville with the two sides splitting the latest series at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena March 14-15. Overall, the Blades are 6-2-1 in nine meetings against their South Division foes. 

Entering the week, Jacksonville sits four points behind Savannah for the final playoff spot with 60 points and a game in hand. The Icemen have played some inspired hockey as of late posting a 6-4 record over their last 10 games in the midst of a furious playoff push. Jacksonville is coming off a critical 3-2 road win Sunday in Greenville. 

Craig Martin leads Jacksonville’s attack with 34 points and has goals in three-straight games while Will Hillman has produced 11 points in 15 games since being acquired from Toledo. In goal, Cameron Rowe and Michael Bullion have split the goaltending duties each recording nine wins. 

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET for all three meetings of the series.

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