‘The work’s not done yet’: Everblades prepare for Kelly Cup Finals

ESTERO, Fla. (WINK) — The Florida Everblades are back in a familiar spot, but the standard has not changed.

After winning the Eastern Conference over the weekend, the Everblades returned to practice at Hertz Arena this week as they prepare for another trip to the Kelly Cup Finals.

Florida is in the Finals for the fourth time in five seasons. The Everblades have won four Kelly Cups, the most in ECHL history, including three straight from 2022 to 2024.

Head coach Brad Ralph said the feeling of winning never gets old, but the team has been focused on turning the page.

“We try to celebrate the little wins along the way,” Ralph said. “I think this group has done a great job of keeping the big picture in mind. So that was kind of the message after last game. Let's enjoy this, but we all understand, you know, there's one thing that we're all chasing right now.”

For goaltender Cam Johnson, this stage is nothing new. Johnson has been in net for Florida’s last three Kelly Cup championships and said the team’s experience matters this time of year.

“We got an old enough group here, a mature enough group to kind of understand what we need to do,” Johnson said. “Again, it just comes down to us, and playing our game, and doing what we do best.”

Forward Carson Gicewicz is getting his first chance to play in the Finals with Florida. He said it is the opportunity he came to Estero for.

“We expect to be here, but a lot can happen between the start of the season and now. So, we're fortunate to be here. I'm so excited about it, but I will say we've earned our opportunity to raise the cup, so that’s what we're going to try to do.”

The Everblades are still waiting to find out who they will play in the Kelly Cup Finals. Kansas City leads Fort Wayne 3-2 in the Western Conference Final, with Game 6 set for Monday night.