Alex Orenczuk
•6/8/2026
ESTERO, Fla. (WINK) —The Florida Everblades are heading home with work to do in the Kelly Cup Finals.
Florida trails the Kansas City Mavericks 2-0 in the best-of-seven series after losing Game 1 6-0 and Game 2 5-2 on the road. The series now shifts to Hertz Arena, where Game 3 is set for Wednesday night.
Despite the early deficit, some of the Everblades’ biggest fans say there is no reason to panic.
That includes the president of the Everblades Fan Club Belinda Hanley, who said she has been coming to games since 2006 and has been part of the fan club for 20 years.
“I believed in them every year I’ve been in this club and coming to the games,” said Hanley. “My belief is always there that the boys can do what they put their minds to.”
The Everblades have won four Kelly Cups, capturing titles in 2012, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Their fourth championship set an ECHL record, and their three straight titles from 2022 to 2024 made them the first team in league history to win three consecutive Kelly Cups.
Hanley said she’s been cheering for the team up close during each one of those wins.
“I have drank from every Cup,” she said. “Back in 2012, I even went out to Las Vegas for the first two games, came home, we won it here.”
The fan club has about 140 members, she said, many of whom are expected to pack Hertz Arena when the series returns to Estero, where the Blades will look to turn the series around.
“No, I’m not worried,” she said. “I know the boys can do it. They have the fans behind them. We are the seventh man, and we will stand behind them, good or bad. The swamp is going to be packed, and it’s going to be loud.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Arena. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, with Game 5, if necessary, set for Saturday in Estero.
