ESTERO, Fla. — The Florida Everblades begin their quest for another Kelly Cup championship when they welcome the Savannah Ghost Pirates to Hertz Arena for the South Division semifinals.
Game 1 is set for Friday, April 24, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET to open the best-of-seven series. Florida enters the postseason in search of its fourth Kelly Cup title in the last five years, extending its streak to 11 consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff appearances, while Savannah has qualified for the first time in franchise history.
2025-26 Season Series
Florida: 7-2-0-1
Savannah: 3-6-1-0
GAME BY GAME RESULTS
November 28: Florida 6 Savannah 3 (Hertz Arena) Game Sheet
November 29: Florida 5 Savannah 2 (Hertz Arena) Game Sheet
December 19: Savannah 3 Florida 2 (Enmarket Arena) Game Sheet
December 20: Florida 4 Savannah 2 (Enmarket Arena) Game Sheet
December 21: Florida 3 Savannah 2 (Enmarket Arena) Game Sheet
February 6: Savannah 4 Florida 2 (Enmarket Arena) Game Sheet
February 7: Florida 2 Savannah 1 OT (Enmarket Arena) Game Sheet
March 25: Florida 7 Savannah 3 (Hertz Arena) Game Sheet
March 27: Florida 5 Savannah 2 (Hertz Arena) Game Sheet
March 28: Savannah 2 Florida 1 SO (Hertz Arena) Game Sheet
Series At a Glance
Florida took seven of 10 meetings, earning points in eight of the matchupsThe Everblades went 4–0–0–1 at Hertz Arena, outscoring Savannah 24–12Florida averaged 4.69 goals per game on home ice while limiting Savannah to 2.35
Road vs. Home Splits
The series tightened in Savannah, with three of five games decided by one goalFlorida earned a 2–1 overtime victory on February 7The other two contests finished in 4-2 decisions, with Savannah recording the lone empty net goal February 6
Key Note
Savannah’s lone win in Estero came in the final meeting, a 2–1 shootout victory despite being outshot 47–23
MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
Special Teams
Florida’s power play finished 4-for-31 (12.9%) in the season series, with similar results home and roadBoth teams struggled on the man advantage during the regular season, with Florida ranking 19th (17.4%) and Savannah 24th (16.1%)Florida enters the postseason in a power-play drought, going 0-for-17 over its last five games, while Savannah is 3-for-14 over the same stretchThe Everblades’ penalty kill was a major strength, going 32-for-36 (88.9%) in the season series and ranking second in the ECHL at 87.8%Savannah also finished among the league’s best on the penalty kill, ranking third at 85.6%Both teams recorded 10 shorthanded goals during the regular season, tied for fourth-most in the ECHLSavannah’s Nicholas Zabaneh led the league with five shorthanded goals, including two against FloridaAnthony Romano led Florida with eight power-play goals, while Zabaneh paced Savannah with seven
Inside Edge: While both power plays have been inconsistent, Florida’s elite penalty kill and both teams’ ability to generate shorthanded offense could play a decisive role.
In the Crease
Cam Johnson started seven of the 10 meetings, posting a 4-2-0-1 record with a .918 save percentage and 2.27 goals-against averageThe two-time ECHL Goaltender of the Year closed the regular season 8-0-1-1 over his final 10 starts, recording a .928 save percentage and 1.79 goals-against averageSavannah’s Vinnie Purpura started five games against Florida, going 3-2 with a .867 save percentage and 4.85 goals-against averagePurpura went 4-2 over his final six starts to close the regular seasonEvan Cormier appeared in two games against Florida, going 0-2 with a .813 save percentage
Inside Edge: Florida holds the clear advantage in net heading into the opening round, with Cam Johnson’s playoff experience and elite form expected to be a key factor in the series.
Even Strength Play
Florida scored 195 of its 245 goals at even strength (2.71 per game), while Savannah recorded 162 of its 209 goals at even strength (2.25 per game)Florida’s balanced attack features six skaters with 15 or more goals, 10 players in double figures, and five with at least 40 pointsSavannah had two players reach 15 goals, seven skaters hit double digits, and three record 40 or more pointsFlorida has shown the ability to generate offense throughout its lineup, while Savannah has found success keeping games tight, particularly on home ice
Inside Edge: Florida’s depth and ability to generate offense at even strength give the Everblades an advantage while Savannah’s success in tight games particularly at home points to a more structured and lower scoring style.
Game Flow
Florida has been dominant in the opening frame, outscoring opponents 62–38 in the first period, but the Everblades and Ghost Pirates were evenly matched in the season series with both teams scoring nine first-period goalsSavannah has been outscored 67–60 in the first period this seasonThe Everblades have controlled the latter stages of the matchup, outscoring Savannah 28–13 over the final 40 minutes in the season seriesSavannah’s only positive goal differential this season came in the second period, outscoring opponents 72–65
Inside Edge: Florida’s ability to score throughout all three periods while maintaining its defensive structure gives the Everblades a clear advantage in controlling the series, while Savannah’s success in one-goal games at home (9-1-0-1) could serve as a key swing factor.
Behind the Bench
Brad Ralph brings extensive postseason experience, ranking first all-time with 105 career Kelly Cup Playoff winsRalph has guided Florida to three consecutive Kelly Cup championships (2022–2024) and has never missed the playoffs in his coaching careerJared Staal has led Savannah to its first postseason appearance in franchise history in just his second season behind the bench
Inside Edge: Florida holds a significant advantage behind the bench, with Ralph’s championship experience providing a steady presence in high-pressure situations.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jordan Sambrook, Florida – Set an ECHL record with a +62 rating while anchoring the Everblades’ blue line, providing steady play in key situations at both ends of the ice.
Cam Johnson, Florida – A three-time Kelly Cup champion and two-time Playoffs MVP, the back-to-back ECHL Goaltender of the Year brings elite experience and the ability to take over games in key moments.
Anthony Romano, Florida- Led the Everblades with 62 points and was one of Florida’s most consistent offensive contributors against Savannah in the season series.
Nicholas Zabaneh, Savannah – Led the ECHL with five shorthanded goals and recorded four goals against Florida in the season series, including two while shorthanded.
X-Factor: Nicholas Zabaneh’s ability to generate offense while shorthanded could shift momentum in key moments and provide Savannah with opportunities outside of even strength.
BY THE NUMBERS
Florida finished the regular season on a 10-0-1-1 run The Everblades have earned points in 19 each of their last 19 straight games on home ice dating back to January 30 (15-0-2-2)Florida set the ECHL record allowing the fewest goals against during a single season (142) holding opponents to a league low 1.97 goals per game Anthony Romano led Florida with 17 multi-point performances and his 62 points were tied for 15th most in the ECHL Cam Johnson set a Florida Everblades record with his league best 1.84 goals-against averageSavannah has won each of their last 5 one-goal decisions Dennis Cesana finished 18th in the ECHL among defenseman with 40 points Both clubs feature a top 10 road power play with Florida rated seventh at 20.8 percent and Savannah 10th at 18.8 percent
ROUND 1 SCHEDULE
Game 1: Savannah @ Florida Friday, April 24 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)
Game 2: Savannah @ Florida Saturday, April 25 7:00 p.m. (Hertz Arena)
Game 3: Florida @ Savannah Wednesday, April 29 7:00 p.m. (Enmarket Arena)
Game 4: Florida @ Savannah Friday, May 1 7:00 p.m. (Enmarket Arena)
*Game 5: Florida @ Savannah Saturday, May 2 7:00 p.m. (Enmarket Arena)
*Game 6: Savannah @ Florida Monday, May 4 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)
*Game 7 Savannah @ Florida Tuesday, May 5 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)
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