The Florida Everblades are the first team in the ECHL to clinch a 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs birth after capturing a 4-2 win over the Savannah Ghost Pirates Wednesday night.
In the first period, the Everblades set the tone - outshooting the Ghost Pirates 18-8, including nine shots on two power plays.
In the second period, Savannah center Nick Granowicz put his squad on the board with a backhand goal to give the Ghost Pirates a 1-0 lead.
Just 53 seconds later, Everblades' center Craig Needham answered the call with a goal of his own, netting his seventh of the season on a two-on-one rush to even the score at one a piece.
Carson Gicewicz set the tone in the third period after scoring a quick goal on a shorthanded breakaway to give the Green and Blue their first lead of the game at 2-1.
Gicewicz leads the Everblades in scoring with 21 goals and three shorthanded markers on the season.
The Everblades put the nail in the coffin during a power play late in the third period after Oliver Chau found the back of net off of a shot from Kade Landry, extending the lead 3-1.
The Ghost Pirates weren't done yet as Devon Paliani tacked one on the board after pulling their goalie, cutting the Everblades' lead 3-2.
Dillon Hamaliuk added some extra relief after scoring an empty net goal to end the game with a 4-2 final score, punching Florida's ticket to the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The Everblades are the first team in the ECHL to clinch a playoff birth this season.
The 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs are set to begin on April 16 as the Everblades look to add a fourth-consecutive title to their already historic dynasty.
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