The Florida Dynasty

For all the wins and points that the Kansas City Mavericks had this season, the postseason is a different animal. In the case of the Kelly Cup, it's an angry alligator from Estero, Florida as the Florida Everblades were putting the hurt on the Mavericks in the final with a 3-1 lead in the series. Game Five went tonight in gator country with one more Everblades win putting them in the record books as the first ECHL team to three-peat as champions. The lede image above may give away the ending if you examine it closely, but this final was only a matter of time when it came to how well the Everblades were executing their gameplan.

Despite Kansas City leading 3-2 in Game Three with 20 minutes to play, the Everblades grabbed victory in the third period with a four-goal outburst to claim the 6-3 win. Florida controlled Game Four from the opening face-off with a 4-1 win, but Kansas City looked like they weren't content with their season ending in the Florida swamps tonight as they took a 3-1 lead into the third period.

Florida cut the deficit to one goal when Mark Senden got a step on a defender for a shorthanded 2-on-1, and he buried it past Jack LaFontaine to make it a 3-2 game at 8:55. It seemed things may play in Kansas City's favour as time wore on, but one of the strangest goals you'll see in any playoffs may have been the turning point.
When your coaches tell you to go to the net, this is why. Mark Senden drives the net as Cole Moberg gets a shot off that Jack LaFontaine partially stops, but the puck carries into Senden as he arrives at the net, bounced off the Florida forward, and lands in the net with 1:48 to play as the Everblades tie the game at 3-3!

This game would need overtime, and, as you likely know, every shot is a potential game-winner when it comes to next-goal-wins moments. With Game Five and a potential championship moment up for grabs or a trip back to Missouri for both teams, this happened.
Matt Wedman's shot from the high slot area beats Jack LaFontaine on the blocker side, and the entire Hertz Arena erupts in celebration as the Florida Everblades capture the 2024 Kelly Cup - their third consecutive championship - with the overtime goal just 3:38 into the extra frame. Congratulations to the ECHL dynasty known as the Florida Everblades!

Oliver Chau, with nine goals and 14 assists, was named the Kelly Cup MVP after his outstanding postseason where he added two shorthanded goals as well. Both Chau and Bobo Carpenter finished with 23 points as they averaged a point-per-game in the playoffs in helping the Everblades capture the championship. The Everblades now stand alone with four Kelly Cup championship seasons, and made history with their third-straight championship. They become the first team to defeat the regular-season champions in each of their three championships over the last three seasons.

I'll give credit to each of Kyle Neuber (three-time champ), Jordan Sambrook (two-time champ), and Evan Cormier (first-time champ) for their success this season as these three former U SPORTS players hoisted the Kelly Cup as champions this season. While none won a national championship while attending a Canadian university, they can all claim their titles of "champion" thanks to their efforts this season in helping Florida capture their championship. Congratulations to these three men on their victory!

Of course, maybe the biggest chunk of praise came from down the road after the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final at the postgame conference.
For those who aren't aware, Jake Maurice, Paul's son, is the play-by-play broadcaster for the Florida Everblades, so that fact allowed Paul Maurice to get a comment in about Jake being a part of the last two Everblades' championships while he still seeks his first professional hockey championship. Looks like dad's got some work to do!

Again, full marks goes to the Florida Everblades on their historic victory tonight! Kansas City had an incredible season, but I made the comments on May 31 that experience is a valuable commodity when it comes to winning championships. It seems that held true in this year's Kelly Cup Final as the Florida Everblades showed why they're the three-time, three-consecutive champions as they'll celebrate the 2024 Kelly Cup championship all week long!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!