Everblades Look To Get Back On Track Against Steelheads

The Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades had their four-game win streak snapped by the Orlando Solar Bears over the weekend. They hope to start another on the road against the Idaho Steelheads Wednesday in one of seven games on the ECHL slate.

It’s the first meeting between the two teams this season. Florida, which still has a five-game point streak after falling 2-1 in overtime to the Solar Bears on Saturday, sports a 22-6-3-0 record with 47 points. They’re tied for second in the league in points, and their .758 winning percentage is third in the ECHL.

The Everblades have been getting it done on defense and in net. Their defensive strength is impressive, allowing the fewest goals against so far this season (61). The club also boasts the lowest team goals-against average (1.97).

Cam Johnson, who has dominated in net over the past five-plus seasons, shows no signs of slowing down. The Goalie of the Month for November 2024 comes into Wednesday leading the league with 17 victories and a sparkling 1.68 goals-against average.

Scoring first has been a key to the success of both teams. Florida has outscored their opponents 26-12 in the opening frame; meanwhile, the Steelheads are 10-1-2 when they score first and a perfect 7-0 when leading after the first period.

Idaho currently sits fifth in the Mountain Division with a 17-12-3-0 record and 37 points. Overall, the club is 10-6-2 on home ice this season including a 7-2-1 mark over their last 10 games.

The Steelheads are 6-7-1 all-time against the Everblades in the regular season, including 3-3-0 at home. They captured their first Kelly Cup Championship by ousting Florida in five games in 2004. The Everblades got even, however, sweeping Idaho in 2023 en route to their second consecutive Cup.

The Steelheads return seven players from that 2023 Kelly Cup Final squad including Nick Canade, Ty Pelton-Byce, A.J. White, Demetrios Koumontzis, Jade Miller, Matt Register and Patrick Kudla.

Florida still has five players from that year’s run: Logan Lambdin, Andrew Fyten, Oliver Chau, Kyle Neuber, and Johnson.

The Steelheads have been a bit banged up recently. Hank Crone was placed on the 14-day injured reserve list Jan. 4, while Pelton-Byce missed games last Friday and Saturday.

Puck drop for Wednesday’s game at Idaho Central Arena is 7:10 Pm MT.