The Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks play in a pivotal Game 3 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals on Wednesday night. Here's a few things to keep close tabs on.
The Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks resume their series for Game 3 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals on Wednesday night. After two games in Independence, Missouri, the series shifts to southwest Florida for Games 3, 4, and 5.
The Everblades jumped all over the Mavericks in Game 1. Florida scored four times in the second period en route to an 8-1 victory. The eight-goal performance for Florida tied the Kelly Cup Finals record for most goals in a single game, matching the Johnstown Chiefs (1989), the Hampton Roads Admirals (1992), and the Charlotte Checkers (1996). The Everblades also established a new ECHL record with seven straight victories in the Kelly Cup Finals.
However, Kansas City returned the favor in Game 2. The Mavericks scored five unanswered goals, including three on the power play, to even the series at one game apiece. Deadlocked at 1-1, Kansas City scored twice in each of the second and third periods, with two empty-net goals putting the game out of reach.
Let's look at a few key stats in advance of Wednesday's Game 3.
Road Warriors
With the series shifting to Estero, Florida, the Mavericks will look to stay hot on the road. Kansas City went 29-4-3 on the road during the regular season to set an ECHL record for most road wins in a season. The Mavericks have carried that success into the postseason, going 7-1 thus far and outscoring their opponents 32-20 away from Cable Dahmer Arena.
Who's On First
Kansas City ended another streak for Florida in Game 2, snapping the Everblades winning ways when recording the game's first goal. Florida had gone a perfect 12-0 this postseason when opening the scoring before Saturday's Game 2. For what it's worth, Kansas City is 6-1 when scoring first this postseason but has yet to do so in this series.
Short Memory
With Jack LaFontaine going in Game 2, Cale Morris is the assumed starter (based on the playoff trend thus far) for the Mavericks in Game 3 on Wednesday night. The Everblades found the back of the net seven times in Game 1 before he was lifted to start the second period. Morris will look to right the ship while Florida will hope they can build off its success against the Kansas City goaltender. Question, though: might Tad O'Had stick with LaFontaine?
Scoring Leaders
Both teams feature no shortage of firepower, but two players have been surging of late. Kansas City's Jeremy McKenna has five goals and seven points in his last three games. The Mavericks forward leads all skaters with 20 points and is tied for the most goals (10) in the ECHL playoffs. Meanwhile, Florida's Oliver Chau sits just two points behind McKenna for a share of the lead. The Everblades forward has points in five of his last six games, including six in his last three games.
The Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks will get underway for Game 3 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals with a 7:30 p.m. EST puck drop.