ECHL South Division Semifinals – Game 4 Recap: Florida Everblades vs Jacksonville Icemen

For the fourth straight game, the South Division Semifinals between the Florida Everblades and Jacksonville Icemen went to overtime—but this time, it marked the end of the series. Lukas Lambdin’s power play goal in the extra frame sealed a 4–3 win for Florida, completing the sweep and sending the Everblades into the Division Finals.

First Period – Trading Goals Early

Jacksonville came out strong in a must-win game and capitalized just 3:47 in. Logan Cockerill opened the scoring with his second of the playoffs, finishing off a feed from Peter Tischke and Brandon Hislop.

GOAL (3:47): Logan Cockerill (JAX) – Even strength
Assists: Peter Tischke, Brandon Hislop

Florida answered in the final minute of the period. With just 19 seconds remaining, Keenan Betts tied the game, finishing a sharp passing sequence from Olivier Chau and Lukas Lambdin.

GOAL (19:41): Keenan Betts (FLA) – Even strength
Assists: Olivier Chau, Lukas Lambdin

Score: Florida 1, Jacksonville 1
Shots on Goal: Florida 11, Jacksonville 7
Power Plays: Florida 0/1, Jacksonville 0/1
Penalties: Florida 1, Jacksonville 1

Second Period – Florida Finds Breathing Room

Florida took its first lead of the night early in the second when defenseman Cole Moberg snapped home his first of the playoffs on a shot set up by Olivier Chau and Carson Gicewicz.

GOAL (5:23): Cole Moberg (FLA) – Even strength
Assists: Olivier Chau, Carson Gicewicz

Later in the period, Colton Hargrove made it 3–1 with a hard-working goal in front, assisted by Lukas Lambdin and Dillon Hamaliuk. Justen Close immediately signaled for the officials to review the play, but after a brief discussion, the goal was upheld and ruled good on the ice..

GOAL (18:08): Colton Hargrove (FLA) – Even strength
Assists: Lukas Lambdin, Dillon Hamaliuk

The Icemen had two minor penalties in the period but managed to kill both. The Everblades outshot the Icemen 11–6 and carried a two-goal lead into the third.

Score: Florida 3, Jacksonville 1
Shots on Goal: Florida 11, Jacksonville 6
Power Plays: Florida 0/2, Jacksonville 0/1
Penalties: Florida 1, Jacksonville 2

Third Period – Icemen Rally Late

With their season on the line, the Icemen surged in the final frame. At 12:20, Christopher Brown buried the puck to cut the deficit to one. Logan Cockerill and Brendan Harris picked up assists.

GOAL (12:20): Christopher Brown (JAX) – Even strength
Assists: Logan Cockerill, Brendan Harris

Then, with under two minutes remaining, Logan Cockerill struck again—his second of the night and third of the series—to tie the game at 3–3 and force overtime. Garrett Van Wyhe and Brandon Hislop provided the helpers.

GOAL (18:13): Logan Cockerill (JAX) – Even strength
Assists: Garrett Van Wyhe, Brandon Hislop

Score: Florida 3, Jacksonville 3
Shots on Goal: Florida 14, Jacksonville 8
Power Plays: Florida 0/1, Jacksonville 0/0
Penalties: Florida 0, Jacksonville 1

Overtime – Lambdin Ends It

The Everblades controlled much of the overtime, pouring 11 shots on goal. A slashing penalty to Brandon Hislop at 10:10 gave Florida its fifth power play of the night—and they finally converted. At 12:02, Lukas Lambdin roofed the series-winner on a feed from Keenan Betts, with Joe Sambrook adding the secondary assist.

GOAL (12:02 – OT): Lukas Lambdin (FLA) – Power Play
Assists: Keenan Betts, Joe Sambrook

Final Score: Florida 4, Jacksonville 3 (OT)
Shots on Goal (OT): Florida 11, Jacksonville 7
Power Plays: Florida 1/1, Jacksonville 0/0
Penalties: Florida 0, Jacksonville 1

Final Game Stats

Final Score: Florida 4, Jacksonville 3 (OT)
Total Shots: Florida 47, Jacksonville 28
Power Plays: Florida 1/5, Jacksonville 0/2
Penalty Minutes: Florida – 4, Jacksonville – 10

Goaltending Matchup

Cam Johnson (FLA): 25 saves on 28 shots. Steady again in net, helped kill two penalties.
Justen Close (JAX): 43 saves on 47 shots. Outstanding under pressure but took the loss in overtime.

Three Stars of the Game

1st Star: Lukas Lambdin (FLA) – OT game-winner, 1G, 2A
2nd Star: Logan Cockerill (JAX) – 2G, 1A, led late rally
3rd Star: Olivier Chau (FLA) – 2A, playmaker all night

Up Next – Florida Advances

With the sweep complete, the Florida Everblades advance to the ECHL South Division Finals. Their next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the other semifinal series. Jacksonville’s season comes to an end despite pushing all four semifinal games to overtime.

Click here to see photo gallery of this game by ITR’s photographer Andrew Fielder