The Florida Everblades have dominated the ECHL over the past few years. The Gulf Coast's beloved hockey team made league history last season, becoming the first team to ever win three straight Kelly Cup championships. This season, they are dominating once again.
For the 26th time in the franchise's 27-year history, the Everblades have officially clinched a spot in the upcoming 2025 ECHL playoffs.
“It is kind of the expectation here with the Everblades," Head Coach Brad Ralph said. "I probably don’t have a job if we don’t make the playoffs. I’m proud of the guys. It’s been a strong year so far, and now we’re getting into the really exciting time.”
The Everblades have been virtually unstoppable this year. They're on pace for over 50 wins, currently sit atop the ECHL standings, and were the league's first team to punch their ticket to the postseason.
“We just work so hard for the guy next to us," newcomer and forward Isaac Nurse said. "I think that helps us going into every night. It’s been a catalyst for us this season.”
Just clinching a playoff spot is not the end goal for the Everblades. They still have plenty to accomplish down the stretch of the regular season and, of course, in the playoffs.
“We want to finish first," the team's point leader Carson Gicewicz said. "That’s the goal for everyone — get home ice advantage and go from there.”
The Everblades are in a much different position this year compared to 2024. Last season the team was battling down to the final few games to secure its playoff positioning, ultimately slotting in at the fourth and final spot. This year, they are the hunted, not the hunters.
“It’s been a great group of guys," Ralph said. "We’ve gotten along really well. It’s been a strong culture, and I think we’re going to have to use that to our advantage in the playoffs.”
The Blades have been at the top of the ECHL standings for almost the entire season. However, with other impressive squads like the Stingrays and Lions nipping at their skates, Florida is going to have to continue to win during the final month of the regular season to secure the coveted home-ice advantage.
“When you wake up, you want to win every game," Gicewicz said. "We’re not going to win every game, I’ll tell you that for sure, but we’re going to work our hardest to win every game.”
Florida only has six more home games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin in the middle of April.