Everblades finish off Icemen in playoffs for 3rd straight season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A great regular season and another bitter finish in the postseason for the Icemen.

For the third straight year, Jacksonville saw its season end in the Kelly Cup playoffs to the rival Everblades in a 4-0 loss in Game 7 on Wednesday night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The Icemen were 7-2-2 against Florida in the regular season and unbeaten at home against their main rival.

But Jacksonville imploded down the stretch. The Icemen led the best-of-seven series 3-1 but saw Florida surge back with impeccable defense to win the final three games. The Everblades outscored Jacksonville 11-2 over the last three games to move on in the Kelly Cup playoffs. Much like in Game 6 when it scored three goals, Florida used a ferocious second period to take control.

It scored all four goals in the period, including three over a four-minute span near the end of the second. Goalie Cam Johnson stopped 27 shots in the clincher, and was 24 of 25 in save opportunities in Game 6.