The Florida Everblades are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season after defeating their in-state rivals in five games. A closer look at how the series was won.
The Florida Everblades are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season. Florida defeated its in-state rivals, the Orlando Solar Bears, in five games to advance.
This marks the third consecutive season in which the Solar Bears have qualified for the postseason and have been eliminated by the Everblades.
Before we move on from the South Division Finals, let's take a closer look at how the series was won (and lost).
Shots on Goal
Despite taking the series in a comfortable five games, the Florida Everblades were outshot 153-146. Florida outshot Orlando in Games 1, 4, and 5. The Solar Bears held the advantage in Games 2 and 3.
However, a closer look at the breakdown of shots on goal reveals that Orlando significantly outgained their in-state rivals in the second and third periods when they were trailing. In Game 2, Orlando registered 18 shots on goal to Florida's six in the third period en route to a 6-3 final score.
Likewise, in Game 3, the Solar Bears forced 19 shots on goal compared to just seven from the Everblades in the third period in a desperate attempt to not fall behind in the series 3-0.
Timeliness of Goals
In reviewing the breakdown of when the goals were scored, Florida took advantage of the first and second periods to jump all over Orlando. The Everblades outscored the Solar Bears 13-7 in the first 40 minutes of play, 6-3 in the first period and 7-4 in the second period.
Florida led 2-1 after the first period in Game 1, 3-0 in Game 2, and 1-0 in Game 3. The only game that Orlando led after 20 minutes of play was Game 4, holding a 2-0 lead, which coincided with their first lead of the series.
Distribution of Goals
Perhaps more impressive than when the goals occurred in the game were the contributions from up and down Florida's lineup. The Everblades scored 19 goals in the five-game series with Orlando, of which 12 different skaters found the back of the net.
Cole Moberg, Sean Josling, Todd Skirving, Joe Pendenza, Oliver Chau, Matt Wedman, and Bobo Carpenter all recorded two goals throughout the series. Meanwhile, Will Reilly, Cam Darcy, Mark Senden, Zach Uens, and Logan Lambdin also tallied markers.
On the other side, of Orlando's 11 goals in the series, six came from Mitchell Hoelscher and Darik Angeli.
Special Teams
The not-so-special teams may be a better headline. However, it moreso speaks volumes about both teams' effective penalty kills. Florida and Orlando converted on the power play at 20.3% and 15.4% during the regular season, respectively. Both teams killed off 85% of their penalties.
In the South Division Finals, Florida went 3 for 17 on the man advantage, with two goals coming in Game 2. Likewise, Orlando went 2 for 18 man advantage with two goals coming in Game 2 as well. The Everblades also netted a power-play goal in Game 1, going 1 for 6 in the series opener.
Cam Johnson's Brilliance
In addition to the aforementioned items, Florida's Cam Johnson was a difference-maker in the series against the Solar Bears.
The former North Dakota standout turned aside 142 of 153 shots on goal (0.928 SV%) throughout the five games with Orlando. Johnson has seen the second-most shots on goal (358) among all goaltenders in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, trailing only Orlando's Evan Fitzpatrick.
The Florida netminder will have his hands full again in the Eastern Conference Finals, regardless of the opponent. Adirondack and Norfolk finished sixth and seventh in goals scored in the league during the regular season, respectively.
Make sure you bookmark THN's ECHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
ECHL Western Conference Finals: Kansas City Mavericks Vs. Toledo Walleye Schedule Announced
Everblades Advance To Eastern Conference Finals On Carpenter's OT Winner