The Florida Everblades have made history: With a stunning 4-3 overtime victory in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Final, Florida has won their third consecutive Kelly Cup, becoming the first team in ECHL history to win three consecutive championships.
Matt Wedman scored on a quick shot 3:38 into overtime, a goal that will go down as one of the most historic goals in ECHL history.
🏆 Everblade achieves third consecutive victory!!! 🐊 🐊🐊
A declaration of unstoppable determination Follow
Matthew Wedman is the OT hero of the Kelly Cup Championship!!!!!!!!!!#ECHL #KellyCup #champion pic.twitter.com/Ooy8nTTneZ
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) June 9, 2024
The Everblades had to rally from a 3-1 deficit going into the third period to send the game into overtime. Despite taking 18 shots, Florida couldn’t tie the game until 1 minute, 47 seconds left in regulation when the puck ricocheted off Kansas City Mavericks goaltender Jack Lafontaine’s body and hit Florida forward Mark Senden for his second goal of the period.
Not wanting their historic season to end after winning the Brabham Cup as ECHL regular season champions, the Mavericks appeared to be in control in Game 5. They held a 3-1 lead on 28-18 shots with 20 minutes left but were unable to take the series home to KC.
But as has often been the case in the past three postseasons, the Everblades somehow found a way to get back to winning ways.
Goaltender Cam Johnson helped the team win its third straight championship in front of the largest crowd in Everblades history. He made 29 saves in Game 5 despite facing a ferocious attack in the first two periods.
Johnson, the MVP of the past two championships, was sometimes overwhelmed by the team’s flawless scoring attack, led by Oliver Chau, who led all players in the postseason with 23 points and helped lead the team to last year’s championship.
The Everblades have now won an ECHL-record 12 consecutive playoff series and three straight Kelly Cup championships.
In addition to winning their third straight championship, the Everblades became the first team in ECHL history to win four postseason championships in the league. Florida also won the Kelly Cup in 2012 and has won in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Kelly Cup Final Results
Kansas City Mavericks (66-15-6) vs. Florida Everblades (52-22-9)
Game 1 – Florida 8, Kansas City 1
Game 2 – Kansas City 5, Florida 1
Game 3 – Florida 6, Kansas City 3
Game 4 – Florida 4, Kansas City 1
Game 5 – Florida 4, Kansas City 3 (overtime)
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