The Florida Everblades’ ECHL-record fifth Kelly Cup was probably the guttiest.
It took coming back from being down 2 games to none in the series and overcoming a three-goal, third-period deficit in Game 6, but Isaac Nurse’s sharp-angle shot with 4:36 left in double overtime clinched a 5-4 win to reclaim the ECHL title.
It is the Everblades’ fourth Kelly Cup championship in five years. They are the second team in league history to come back from being down 2-0 in the Finals. After losing Games 1 and 2 in Kansas City, they won Games 3, 4, and 5 at home to force Game 6.
Goalie Cam Johnson – already owner of several ECHL postseason records – became the first player in ECHL history to win three June M. Kelly Playoff MVP Awards.
For Nurse, in his second year as a pro, it was his first career game-winning overtime goal.
It took the second-longest game in ECHL finals history – the longest in the Kelly Cup era to make it happen. With the Mavericks holding a 4-1 lead at the second intermission, it looked as though the series was going to go to Game 7.
For most of the third period, things looked more desperate by the minute. The Everblades were getting tons of chances, but Kansas City goalie Jack LaFontaine stopped each one. But with 8:41 left, an unlikely hero, defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro, picked up his first goal of the postseason by taking a pass from Hudson Elyniuk in the high slot and burying it.
Coming back was still a steep proposition, but it now seemed more possible. Cassaro continued to contribute to the offense, taking a shot that was blocked to the side of the net. The puck rebounded off the dasher board right to Anthony Romano, who sent it into the net with 7:17 to go. Suddenly, a three-goal deficit was down to one.
The frenzied attack continued, but LaFontaine was able to hold the Everblades off. With a minute and a half left, Johnson headed for the bench, giving Florida an extra attacker. As the clock ticked down, captain Oliver Chau was in front of the crease, forcing the puck under LaFontaine’s pad until it slid past the line. After several minutes, the officials reviewed the footage and ruled a good goal. The game was tied with 13 seconds left.
As much as the regulation periods were high-scoring, the overtime periods became a goaltender duel. Johnson justified his MVP award by turning away, pouncing on, and gloving a number of quality shots. But so did LaFontaine. It was a grueling back-and-forth between both teams until finally Nurse broke through with his game-winner.
The Everblades started Game 6 much as they did Game 5 — shooting early and often. Just 8 seconds in, Sam Stange stole the puck in the Mavericks’ left face-off circle and shot it at LaFontaine. Oliver Cooper had a chance with a quick shot, but it was gloved by LaFontaine.
The Blades broke through with the ever-important first goal just three and a half minutes in when Kyle Betts redirected a one-timer shot by Zach Berzolla at the point.
The Mavericks didn’t make their first shot on goal until the 13:45 mark. By then, the Everblades already had 8. But the shots that go in the net are the ones that matter, and after a Romano holding penalty Landon McCallum scored a power play goal from the doorstep to tie the game at 1. It was Kansas City’s first power play goal since Game 2.
Then came the dreaded second period. Much as they did in Games 1 and 2 in Kansas City, the Mavericks were dominant and took a commanding lead. Almost six minutes in, Sam Stange slid into Johnson, allowing Casey Carreau to score with a shot from the high slot, giving K.C. its first lead since Game 3.
They were not done. The Mavericks’ rush, which had been contained during the three games in Estero, re-emerged to damaging effect. Hudson Wilson broke free on a Florida power play to net a shorthanded goal.
With about a minute left in the second stanza, McCallum earned a penalty for slashing Reid Duke and Duke got called for cross-checking when he retaliated. On the ensuing 4-on-4, Jakov Novak made a rare deke around Cole Moberg and scored on the breakaway to make it 4-1.
That led to the third period as the Blades rallied to continue their ECHL dynasty.
2026 Kelly Cup Finals
Florida Everblades win series over Kansas City Mavericks 4-2
Game 1: Kansas City 6, Florida 0
Game 2: Kansas City 5, Florida 2
Game 3: Florida 2, Kansas City 1 (OT)
Game 4: Florida 3, Kansas City 2 (OT)
Game 5: Florida 5, Kansas City 2
Game 6: Florida 5, Kansas City 4 (2 OT)
Florida Everblades Kelly Cup Titles
2026: Florida defeated Kansas City, 4 games to 2
2024: Florida defeated Kansas City, 4 games to 1
2023: Florida defeated Idaho, 4 games to 0
2022: Florida defeated Toledo, 4 games to 1
2012: Florida defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 1
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Kelly Cup coming home as Everblades down Mavericks to win 5th ECHL title
Reporting by Dave Montrose, Special to The News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave Montrose, Special to The News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
