The Florida Everblades clinched a playoff spot on Friday night when they defeated the visiting South Carolina Stingrays 2-1. The final two playoff spots in the South Division were up for grabs entering this week, with the Stingrays, Everblades, and Orlando Solar Bears all fighting for those two spots. The Everblades’ rare victory over the visiting Jacksonville Icemen moved them to within one win out of their two remaining games to secure an extended season. This marks nine consecutive years that the Everblades have reached the postseason and sets them up for potentially winning a third successive Kelly Cup Championship.
The Everblades entered the month of March with a record of 14-10 over January and February and in a playoff spot. However, March would see them stumble with a sub-500 record of 7-8, ending the month on a four-game losing streak. Roster changes and a return to simple hockey have turned their play around, leading to a perfect 5-0 April and a spot in the playoffs.
Forwards Bobo Carpenter, four goals and three assists; Oliver Chau, three goals and four assists; and former NHLer Josh Ho-Sang, one goal and eight assists, have led the team in scoring over the five wins in April. Goaltender Cam Johnson has started and won all five games this month with a 0.954 save percentage. The Everblades special teams have also been a highlight in April, scoring six goals on 21 opportunities while only giving up one goal on 14 short-handed opportunities. The Everblades will need the same production, goaltending, and special teams to help them make a deep run in the playoffs.
Friday night’s playoff-clinching game was tight from the start. Cam Johnson got his tenth consecutive start for the Everblades, and Mitchell Gibson started his seventh consecutive game. Everblades forward Todd Skirving played in his 300th game in the ECHL, most of those with the Newfoundland Growlers. The Everblades outshot the Stingrays in the first period, 10-5, but neither team could beat the opposing netminder. Everblade Sean Josling (21) broke the deadlock at 8:34 of the second period with assists from Josh Ho-Sang and Will Reilly. Stingray Kyler Kupka scored his second goal of the season at 11:36, and the teams entered the locker room tied 1-1. Everblade forward Jesse Lansdell scored his second professional career goal at 3:43 of the third period, his first coming Wednesday night against the Jacksonville Icemen. That would be the game-winner and the playoff-clinching goal for the Everblades.
The Everblades play their final game at home on Saturday against the Stingrays. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm.
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