Hurricane Affiliation Advances

[SCCaniac]

Your ECHL reporter here to report that the Florida Everblades are going to the Eastern Conference Finals of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. They knocked off the South Carolina Stingrays with a 3-0 sweep. I hope they can go all the way.

http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=2404

[StormShaman]

w00t! Go Baby Canes!

[nccanes]

My in-laws are from Reading and the Royals (Kings affiliate and who the 'Blades face in the Eastern Finals) are fairly new and very popular. Mr. NCCanes attended a game there recently. Too bad we're booked next weekend, I'd be willing to go visit Mom-in-Law. :evil:

[nccanes]

ECHL: Blades' goalie Rob Zepp helps keep playoff run going
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
April 27, 2004

ESTERO — He still has that same wide-eyed look of a kid when you see him without his goalie's mask on. But Rob Zepp has been anything but a kid so far in the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs for the Florida Everblades.

Zepp, 22, has posted a perfect 5-0 record through the first two rounds and Florida has gone 6-1 overall. His 1.76 goals-against-average and .940 save percentage rank him third out of 20 playoff goalies.

And this is his first postseason as a professional.

The Everblades host the Reading (Pa.) Royals on Wednesday night at 7:30 in Game 1 of their best-of-five Eastern Conference Finals series at TECO Arena. The winner will advance to the Kelly Cup Finals and play for the league championship

"I've got to give the kid credit, he's playing well right now and that's what the team needs," said Jeff Maund, Florida's other goaltender, after Monday morning's practice. "Whoever's going to have the hot goalie in the playoffs, odds are is going to win the series. Right now Zepper's pretty hot, so hopefully we've just got to carry that into this round."

Maund had been the team's hot goalie toward the end of the regular season, recording two shutouts in the last three games to help the Everblades avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in the history of the six-year-old franchise.

But an injury to Maund in the second game of the opening series against Roanoke forced Zepp into action, and the Newmarket, Ontario, native hasn't looked back.

"Everybody's been playing pretty good and we've been getting a few good breaks and I've been able to come up with the big saves at key times so far," said Zepp, who is under contract to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. "I don't know. I'm just trying to roll with it and try to just keep this going."

Zepp said he has been drawing on his playoff experience in juniors, when he made two lengthy runs to the championship round in the Ontario Hockey League with the Plymouth Whalers.

In three seasons with the Whalers, from 1998-2001, Zepp set all-time franchise career marks in games played (139), minutes played (7974), goals- against-average (2.39) and won- lost record (89-32-5). He also appeared in three OHL All-Star games.

"I know people say junior is junior or college is college, but that's where you learn," said Zepp, whose rookie season in 2001-02 was cut short by a groin injury but who made the ECHL All-Star team as a starter last season for the Southern Conference.

"It teaches you how to play pro and sets you up to play pro.

Those two big runs we had in Plymouth (1999-2000 and 2000-01) were huge and you learn so much from it about pressure situations and how to overcome adversity."

This season, Zepp had to put that theory to the test when the Hurricanes sent him back to the ECHL to start the season instead of to the Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League. He had performed well in Carolina's training camp and thought this was going to be his year to shine at the next level.

Then in November, Carolina fired its head coach, Paul Maurice, and most of his staff and replaced him with Peter Laviolette.

Among Maurice's staff members whom Carolina let go was Don Edwards, the Hurricanes' goalies coach.

"I really liked Donnie Edwards, he taught me a lot and really helped me out a lot, especially at the beginning of this year when I was up in Carolina for such a long time," Zepp said. "I think he set me up technically for a good year this year and I owe him a lot of credit. So it was a little tough at first to get used to."

Zepp said he called Edwards to thank him after he heard the news and added that the two might work together again in the future. His relationship with Maund grew stronger after that and he felt comfortable asking him for tips.

Maund, in addition to providing stiff competition for the starting job, became another goalies coach to Zepp. The tandem is as strong as there is remaining in the playoffs.

"It's a great comfort to know that we probably have the two best goaltenders available to us in the league right now," said veteran forward Tom Buckley, who played with Maund when Maund was a rookie in 1999-2000 and with Zepp the past two seasons.

"Both guys are so technically sound and a lot alike on practice."

Ironically, the goaltender sitting right behind Zepp in the league rankings is Reading's Cody Rudkowsky, who is 7-3 with a 1.91 GAA and a .939 GAA.

So the kid who feels like he has matured into a solid professional goaltender will get to test his wares against another hot goalie.

"Right now Rob is hot," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said. "He's been playing well and with a lot of confidence and hopefully he can just keep it going."

[nccanes]

ECHL: Blades' goalie Rob Zepp helps keep playoff run going
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
April 27, 2004

ESTERO — He still has that same wide-eyed look of a kid when you see him without his goalie's mask on. But Rob Zepp has been anything but a kid so far in the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs for the Florida Everblades.

Zepp, 22, has posted a perfect 5-0 record through the first two rounds and Florida has gone 6-1 overall. His 1.76 goals-against-average and .940 save percentage rank him third out of 20 playoff goalies.

And this is his first postseason as a professional.

The Everblades host the Reading (Pa.) Royals on Wednesday night at 7:30 in Game 1 of their best-of-five Eastern Conference Finals series at TECO Arena. The winner will advance to the Kelly Cup Finals and play for the league championship

"I've got to give the kid credit, he's playing well right now and that's what the team needs," said Jeff Maund, Florida's other goaltender, after Monday morning's practice. "Whoever's going to have the hot goalie in the playoffs, odds are is going to win the series. Right now Zepper's pretty hot, so hopefully we've just got to carry that into this round."

Maund had been the team's hot goalie toward the end of the regular season, recording two shutouts in the last three games to help the Everblades avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in the history of the six-year-old franchise.

But an injury to Maund in the second game of the opening series against Roanoke forced Zepp into action, and the Newmarket, Ontario, native hasn't looked back.

"Everybody's been playing pretty good and we've been getting a few good breaks and I've been able to come up with the big saves at key times so far," said Zepp, who is under contract to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. "I don't know. I'm just trying to roll with it and try to just keep this going."

Zepp said he has been drawing on his playoff experience in juniors, when he made two lengthy runs to the championship round in the Ontario Hockey League with the Plymouth Whalers.

In three seasons with the Whalers, from 1998-2001, Zepp set all-time franchise career marks in games played (139), minutes played (7974), goals- against-average (2.39) and won- lost record (89-32-5). He also appeared in three OHL All-Star games.

"I know people say junior is junior or college is college, but that's where you learn," said Zepp, whose rookie season in 2001-02 was cut short by a groin injury but who made the ECHL All-Star team as a starter last season for the Southern Conference.

"It teaches you how to play pro and sets you up to play pro.

Those two big runs we had in Plymouth (1999-2000 and 2000-01) were huge and you learn so much from it about pressure situations and how to overcome adversity."

This season, Zepp had to put that theory to the test when the Hurricanes sent him back to the ECHL to start the season instead of to the Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League. He had performed well in Carolina's training camp and thought this was going to be his year to shine at the next level.

Then in November, Carolina fired its head coach, Paul Maurice, and most of his staff and replaced him with Peter Laviolette.

Among Maurice's staff members whom Carolina let go was Don Edwards, the Hurricanes' goalies coach.

"I really liked Donnie Edwards, he taught me a lot and really helped me out a lot, especially at the beginning of this year when I was up in Carolina for such a long time," Zepp said. "I think he set me up technically for a good year this year and I owe him a lot of credit. So it was a little tough at first to get used to."

Zepp said he called Edwards to thank him after he heard the news and added that the two might work together again in the future. His relationship with Maund grew stronger after that and he felt comfortable asking him for tips.

Maund, in addition to providing stiff competition for the starting job, became another goalies coach to Zepp. The tandem is as strong as there is remaining in the playoffs.

"It's a great comfort to know that we probably have the two best goaltenders available to us in the league right now," said veteran forward Tom Buckley, who played with Maund when Maund was a rookie in 1999-2000 and with Zepp the past two seasons.

"Both guys are so technically sound and a lot alike on practice."

Ironically, the goaltender sitting right behind Zepp in the league rankings is Reading's Cody Rudkowsky, who is 7-3 with a 1.91 GAA and a .939 GAA.

So the kid who feels like he has matured into a solid professional goaltender will get to test his wares against another hot goalie.

"Right now Rob is hot," Everblades head coach Gerry Fleming said. "He's been playing well and with a lot of confidence and hopefully he can just keep it going."

[tommy]

Damn! Go Rob!

Thanks for sharing -- I've been trying to keep up!

[tommy]

Damn! Go Rob!

Thanks for sharing -- I've been trying to keep up!

[Turbulence]

That's great for Zepp. He could be the kind of guy who would make a solid backup in a few years.

Just imagine....Cam Ward starting, and Rob Zepp being the backup in Raleigh. That'd be quite a tandem, based on their potential now.

[Turbulence]

That's great for Zepp. He could be the kind of guy who would make a solid backup in a few years.

Just imagine....Cam Ward starting, and Rob Zepp being the backup in Raleigh. That'd be quite a tandem, based on their potential now.

[nccanes]

Well Zepp's earning his (ECHL) pay tonight. Faced 30 shots thru 2 periods (Florida only has 13). Score is still 0-0.

Update: Everblades win 1-0. Zepp faces 40 shots! Over 5000 people at TECO to watch.

[nccanes]

Well Zepp's earning his (ECHL) pay tonight. Faced 30 shots thru 2 periods (Florida only has 13). Score is still 0-0.

Update: Everblades win 1-0. Zepp faces 40 shots! Over 5000 people at TECO to watch.

[nccanes]

Andy Kent: Playoff hockey fever falls on TECO Arena
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
April 30, 2004

ESTERO — Anybody interested in seeing the difference between playoff hockey and the kind played during the regular season should have been inside TECO Arena on Wednesday night.

No decibel meter was needed to measure the enthusiasm of the crowd on hand — and there were close to 2,000 empty seats.

The 5,357 fans who did show up for Game 1 of the ECHL's Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Everblades and Reading Royals made their presence known and helped impact the level of play on the ice.

Florida managed to pull out a nail-biting 1-0 victory to grab the early advantage in the best-of- five series. The hitting was more intense than Everblades fans had grown accustomed to seeing after watching their team bow out in the first round four years in a row.

And their cheering was louder than the Everblades players, coaches and management had grown accustomed to.

"How loud was that arena when that game ended? I've never heard it that loud," said Everblades veteran forward Tom Buckley, who has suited up for the team in every one of its seasons except for the inaugural 1998-99 season. "It was unbelievable."

Everblades team president/ general manager Craig Brush said he couldn't quite get a grasp of the high decibel level from his suite above the ice, but when he moved to the press box he was taken aback.

He said the team feeds off the energy from the stands, and he said the only drawback was that it made it difficult for head coach Gerry Fleming to communicate with his players on the bench.

But he could live with that it if meant a significant home-ice advantage.

Brush added that the 5,000 Thunder Sticks handed out before the game as part of a promotion courtesy of a Fort Myers attorney certainly made a big difference. The noise generated by the inflatable noisemakers made the building sound like it was sold out.

"I like the Thunder Sticks. I'm a big fan," Florida goalie Rob Zepp said.

Even the opposing team was charged up by the energy in the arena and welcomed it. The Royals play in a building back in Reading, Pa., that is almost a carbon copy of TECO, the Sovereign Center.

Reading's building holds 7,215, which is slightly more than the 7,082 listed as capacity for TECO, but the TECO figure doesn't include the standing-room only sections. The Royals fans supposedly are just as vocal as the Everblades', according to head coach Derek Clancey.

"It was an awesome atmosphere out there (Wednesday)," said Royals goaltender Cody Rudkowsky, who kept his focus well enough to stop 19 of 20 shots in the loss.

"It's an exciting time of the year and it's a lot of fun to be playing in front of a big, loud crowd, even if they're not on our side."

As of the end of the business day Thursday, approximately 1,500 tickets still remained for tonight's Game 2. Brush said he is hoping for a sellout — and 5,000 more Thunder Sticks are going to be handed out.

"It's fun to be in a good building where there's good support," Clancey said. "It just makes the game that much more enjoyable."

A playoff game, that is.

This article cracks me up. Makes it sound like Southern Florida is a foreign country, lol.
Can Royals weather distractions?
Coach Derek Clancey hopes his team won't focus too much on the palm trees and the 80-degree temperatures in Estero, Fla.

By Julie Pelchar
Reading Eagle
ESTERO, Fla. -- The leaves of palm trees flutter in the warm wind at this Radisson Inn.
Golf carts parked curbside near the lobby shuttle guests.

Customers sip afternoon cocktails at a poolside Tiki bar.

The Reading Royals aren't in Wheeling anymore.

This exotic atmosphere will have coach Derek Clancey concerned throughout Reading's three-night stay in southwest Florida for the ECHL Eastern Conference finals.

“I don't want them to lose focus of why we're here,” Clancey said. “They see the convertibles driving around, the palm trees. They get caught up in it because they haven't seen it before.

“I addressed them last night when we got in. I told them not to lose focus of why we're here. We're not here to have fun. We're here to win games.”

The Everblades' home in Estero, which is 15 miles south of Fort Myers, is a welcome change of scenery.

Prior to this week, the playoffs had taken the Royals to Johnstown, Wheeling, W.V., and Peoria, Ill.

But the players had little time to enjoy the 80-degree weather. Clancey set an 11 p.m. curfew Tuesday. The players spent a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon napping in their hotel rooms, just as they always do on game days.

[nccanes]

Andy Kent: Playoff hockey fever falls on TECO Arena
By ANDY KENT, ankent@naplesnews.com
April 30, 2004

ESTERO — Anybody interested in seeing the difference between playoff hockey and the kind played during the regular season should have been inside TECO Arena on Wednesday night.

No decibel meter was needed to measure the enthusiasm of the crowd on hand — and there were close to 2,000 empty seats.

The 5,357 fans who did show up for Game 1 of the ECHL's Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Everblades and Reading Royals made their presence known and helped impact the level of play on the ice.

Florida managed to pull out a nail-biting 1-0 victory to grab the early advantage in the best-of- five series. The hitting was more intense than Everblades fans had grown accustomed to seeing after watching their team bow out in the first round four years in a row.

And their cheering was louder than the Everblades players, coaches and management had grown accustomed to.

"How loud was that arena when that game ended? I've never heard it that loud," said Everblades veteran forward Tom Buckley, who has suited up for the team in every one of its seasons except for the inaugural 1998-99 season. "It was unbelievable."

Everblades team president/ general manager Craig Brush said he couldn't quite get a grasp of the high decibel level from his suite above the ice, but when he moved to the press box he was taken aback.

He said the team feeds off the energy from the stands, and he said the only drawback was that it made it difficult for head coach Gerry Fleming to communicate with his players on the bench.

But he could live with that it if meant a significant home-ice advantage.

Brush added that the 5,000 Thunder Sticks handed out before the game as part of a promotion courtesy of a Fort Myers attorney certainly made a big difference. The noise generated by the inflatable noisemakers made the building sound like it was sold out.

"I like the Thunder Sticks. I'm a big fan," Florida goalie Rob Zepp said.

Even the opposing team was charged up by the energy in the arena and welcomed it. The Royals play in a building back in Reading, Pa., that is almost a carbon copy of TECO, the Sovereign Center.

Reading's building holds 7,215, which is slightly more than the 7,082 listed as capacity for TECO, but the TECO figure doesn't include the standing-room only sections. The Royals fans supposedly are just as vocal as the Everblades', according to head coach Derek Clancey.

"It was an awesome atmosphere out there (Wednesday)," said Royals goaltender Cody Rudkowsky, who kept his focus well enough to stop 19 of 20 shots in the loss.

"It's an exciting time of the year and it's a lot of fun to be playing in front of a big, loud crowd, even if they're not on our side."

As of the end of the business day Thursday, approximately 1,500 tickets still remained for tonight's Game 2. Brush said he is hoping for a sellout — and 5,000 more Thunder Sticks are going to be handed out.

"It's fun to be in a good building where there's good support," Clancey said. "It just makes the game that much more enjoyable."

A playoff game, that is.

This article cracks me up. Makes it sound like Southern Florida is a foreign country, lol.
Can Royals weather distractions?
Coach Derek Clancey hopes his team won't focus too much on the palm trees and the 80-degree temperatures in Estero, Fla.

By Julie Pelchar
Reading Eagle
ESTERO, Fla. -- The leaves of palm trees flutter in the warm wind at this Radisson Inn.
Golf carts parked curbside near the lobby shuttle guests.

Customers sip afternoon cocktails at a poolside Tiki bar.

The Reading Royals aren't in Wheeling anymore.

This exotic atmosphere will have coach Derek Clancey concerned throughout Reading's three-night stay in southwest Florida for the ECHL Eastern Conference finals.

“I don't want them to lose focus of why we're here,” Clancey said. “They see the convertibles driving around, the palm trees. They get caught up in it because they haven't seen it before.

“I addressed them last night when we got in. I told them not to lose focus of why we're here. We're not here to have fun. We're here to win games.”

The Everblades' home in Estero, which is 15 miles south of Fort Myers, is a welcome change of scenery.

Prior to this week, the playoffs had taken the Royals to Johnstown, Wheeling, W.V., and Peoria, Ill.

But the players had little time to enjoy the 80-degree weather. Clancey set an 11 p.m. curfew Tuesday. The players spent a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon napping in their hotel rooms, just as they always do on game days.

[Mona]

Go Blades.... A Cup to any part of the organization makes me happy! :spin:

[Mona]

Go Blades.... A Cup to any part of the organization makes me happy! :spin:

[nccanes]

Sounds like the fans (about as many as attended some Canes game) were treated to quite a game!

April 30, 2004 - ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (8-1) defeated the Reading Royals (7-5) 5-3 before a TECO Arena record crowd of 7,738 on Friday night. Florida leads the best of five Eastern Conference series two games to none. Game #3 is slated for Sunday at 1:00 PM in Reading, PA.

Trailing 3-2 in the third period the Everblades mounted a rally starting at the 8:58 mark when Matt Pagnutti's shot off an odd man rush was stopped initially by Reading netminder Cody Rudkowsky but the puck struck a Royal defenseman and slid in the net tying the score at three. With under three minutes remaining in the game, the Everblades were swarming in front when Ryan Brindley sent a shot through a group of players and past Rudkowsky for a 4-3 Florida lead. Chad Larose preserved the victory with an empty net goal that would be his second goal of the game. The victory moves Florida within one win from advancing to the Kelly Cup Finals.


Early in the third Reading looked as if it might escape with the split when Kent Davyduke took a pass in the slot and wristed over Zepp's glove to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.


In the second period, Reading tied the score at two when Lars Petersen found Church down low and he flipped a backhander past Zepp for his second goal of the game.


Florida's offense got things started in the first period when Mike Torney's shot from the point hit a player and slid between Rudkowsky's legs at the 5:20 mark. Florida went up 2-0 when John McNabb's hard work in front produced a loose puck that Chad Larose wristed up and under the crossbar. Reading pulled to within 2-1 when Brad Church slid a backhander passed Zepp on the powerplay.


Blades netminder Rob Zepp stopped 22 of 25 shots while Reading goaltender Cody Rudkowsky stopped 46 of 51 shots. Florida finished 0 for 6 on the power play while Reading went 1 for 5.

[nccanes]

Sounds like the fans (about as many as attended some Canes game) were treated to quite a game!

April 30, 2004 - ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (8-1) defeated the Reading Royals (7-5) 5-3 before a TECO Arena record crowd of 7,738 on Friday night. Florida leads the best of five Eastern Conference series two games to none. Game #3 is slated for Sunday at 1:00 PM in Reading, PA.

Trailing 3-2 in the third period the Everblades mounted a rally starting at the 8:58 mark when Matt Pagnutti's shot off an odd man rush was stopped initially by Reading netminder Cody Rudkowsky but the puck struck a Royal defenseman and slid in the net tying the score at three. With under three minutes remaining in the game, the Everblades were swarming in front when Ryan Brindley sent a shot through a group of players and past Rudkowsky for a 4-3 Florida lead. Chad Larose preserved the victory with an empty net goal that would be his second goal of the game. The victory moves Florida within one win from advancing to the Kelly Cup Finals.


Early in the third Reading looked as if it might escape with the split when Kent Davyduke took a pass in the slot and wristed over Zepp's glove to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.


In the second period, Reading tied the score at two when Lars Petersen found Church down low and he flipped a backhander past Zepp for his second goal of the game.


Florida's offense got things started in the first period when Mike Torney's shot from the point hit a player and slid between Rudkowsky's legs at the 5:20 mark. Florida went up 2-0 when John McNabb's hard work in front produced a loose puck that Chad Larose wristed up and under the crossbar. Reading pulled to within 2-1 when Brad Church slid a backhander passed Zepp on the powerplay.


Blades netminder Rob Zepp stopped 22 of 25 shots while Reading goaltender Cody Rudkowsky stopped 46 of 51 shots. Florida finished 0 for 6 on the power play while Reading went 1 for 5.

[Captain Slack]

GO EVERBLADES!!!!!

[Captain Slack]

GO EVERBLADES!!!!!

[nccanes]

The 'blades took the 1st two at home, and the Royals their two at home.

Deciding Game 5 at TECO on Monday.

[nccanes]

The 'blades took the 1st two at home, and the Royals their two at home.

Deciding Game 5 at TECO on Monday.

[nccanes]

'Blades Win in Game 5 - advance to Kelly Cup Finals. What a blast they'll have down in Estero.


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades are going to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in its six year history. The Everblades (9-3) defeated the Reading Royals (9-6) 3-2 before a standing room only crowd of 7,444 on Monday night. Florida got on the scoreboard first at the 8:11 mark of the opening period when Matt Pagnutti’s shot from the point found it’s way past fallen Reading netminder Cody Rudkowsky. Reading was not going to go quietly tonight as the Royals tied the game in the 2nd period when Leon Hayward pounced on a bouncing puck in front and backhanded the shot past Everblade netminder Rob Zepp. Florida would retake the lead before the second period ended when John McNabb burst through the Reading defense and whipped a wrist shot past Rudkowsky for a 2-1 lead after two periods. Nineteen seconds into the third period veteran Tom Buckley scored the biggest goal in Everblades history when his shot from the right wing circle snuck under the crossbar and Florida had a commanding 3-1 lead. Reading would answer under two minutes later when Matt Snesrud finished off an odd man rush by blistering a shot past Zepp to bring the Royals within 3-2. However, Florida tightened up defensively and Zepp made big saves down the stretch as Florida would hold to become the 2003-04 Eastern Conference Champions. Zepp stopped 36 of 38 shots. Rudkowsky stopped 34 of 37 shots. Florida finished 0 for 4 on the power play while Reading went 0 for 4. 3 Stars: 1 – Buckley - FLA 2 – McNabb- FLA 3 – Berg - FLA

[nccanes]

'Blades Win in Game 5 - advance to Kelly Cup Finals. What a blast they'll have down in Estero.


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades are going to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in its six year history. The Everblades (9-3) defeated the Reading Royals (9-6) 3-2 before a standing room only crowd of 7,444 on Monday night. Florida got on the scoreboard first at the 8:11 mark of the opening period when Matt Pagnutti’s shot from the point found it’s way past fallen Reading netminder Cody Rudkowsky. Reading was not going to go quietly tonight as the Royals tied the game in the 2nd period when Leon Hayward pounced on a bouncing puck in front and backhanded the shot past Everblade netminder Rob Zepp. Florida would retake the lead before the second period ended when John McNabb burst through the Reading defense and whipped a wrist shot past Rudkowsky for a 2-1 lead after two periods. Nineteen seconds into the third period veteran Tom Buckley scored the biggest goal in Everblades history when his shot from the right wing circle snuck under the crossbar and Florida had a commanding 3-1 lead. Reading would answer under two minutes later when Matt Snesrud finished off an odd man rush by blistering a shot past Zepp to bring the Royals within 3-2. However, Florida tightened up defensively and Zepp made big saves down the stretch as Florida would hold to become the 2003-04 Eastern Conference Champions. Zepp stopped 36 of 38 shots. Rudkowsky stopped 34 of 37 shots. Florida finished 0 for 4 on the power play while Reading went 0 for 4. 3 Stars: 1 – Buckley - FLA 2 – McNabb- FLA 3 – Berg - FLA

[SCCaniac]

Yessss!

Florida prevails. Hope they do the (South) East proud against Idaho!

[SCCaniac]

Yessss!

Florida prevails. Hope they do the (South) East proud against Idaho!

[Mona]

Go Blades... make us Caniacs proud! :spin:

[Mona]

Go Blades... make us Caniacs proud! :spin:

[talkingcanes]

First 2 ECHL Finals Games Sell Out
In Less Than 24 Hours
May 12, 2004

Florida, Idaho Sellouts Make Conference Finals Tremendous Success

PRINCETON, N.J. - The Florida Everblades sold out 7,080 tickets for both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Finals in less than 24 hours. The Everblades began selling tickets immediately following their win in Game 5 on Monday, selling over 3,500 tickets while keeping the box office open until 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

The sellouts on Friday and Saturday will give Florida four consecutive sellouts as the Everblades drew a standing-room-only crowd of 7,444 on Monday and a record-setting crowd of 7,738 for Game 2 on April 30. Florida and Idaho will play at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday with Games 3 and 4 in Idaho on May 19 and 21 at 7:05 p.m. MT.

The two crowds in Florida combined with two sellouts in Idaho made the Conference Finals one of the most successful in the 16-year history of the ECHL. The nine games drew 47,511 for an average of 5,279 per game, the third-highest per game average in league history.

Heading into the Kelly Cup Finals, the ECHL has drawn 203,604 and is averaging 3,393 per game, the highest per game average since 2000. The average of 3,393 per game is up 31 percent from the postseason average of 2,578 in 2003 when the ECHL and the now defunct West Coast Hockey League combined drew 203,651 for 79 games.

The 7,444 on Monday was the second postseason sellout and the 10th sellout of the season for Florida which had previously eclipsed its team record for attendance on January 17 (7,386), January 31 (7,581) and April 30 (7,738). The 7,444 and 7,738 are the two largest Conference Finals crowds in the past five years and are the second and third largest postseason crowds since 2000. The largest Kelly Cup Playoffs crowd since 2000 is 8,834 at South Carolina for the decisive game of the 2000 Kelly Cup Finals.

Idaho drew 10,558 for two games in the Conference Finals and averaged 5,279 per game, exceeding the capacity of the Bank of America Centre (5,006) by more than five percent. Florida drew 20,539 for three Conference Finals games and averaged 6,846 per game, more than 96

percent of the capacity of TECO Arena (7,080). Reading drew 10,857 for two games in the Conference Finals and averaged 5,429 per game, 75 percent of the capacity of the Sovereign Center (7,215).

Florida leads the postseason in total attendance with 41,334 and average attendance with 5,904. The Everblades have led the ECHL in average postseason attendance in every one of their six seasons and have eight of the Top 20 postseason crowds since 2000. In the regular season, Florida led the ECHL in total attendance with 223,732 and average attendance with 6,214, the fourth consecutive year that the Everblades have led the league in both total attendance and average attendance.

The crowd of 5,082 for Game 4 was Idaho's second sellout of the postseason and its league-leading 12th sellout of 2003-04. The crowd of 5,476 for Game 3 was the largest postseason crowd in the history of the Bank of America Centre. In the postseason, Idaho ranks third in total attendance with 28,691 and fourth in average attendance with 4,203 per game.

Making the first Kelly Cup Playoffs appearance in its three-year history, Reading is third in total attendance with 28,691 and third in average attendance with 4,781 per game. Reading has ranked second in both total and average attendance in the regular season each of its three seasons, including 2003-04 when the Royals drew 193,367 for an average of 5,371 per game. Alaska sold out two of its three postseason games and drew 17,305 for an average of 5,768 per game which ranks second in the postseason. The Aces became the first ECHL team to have two sellouts in the postseason since 2000 when Florida sold out its two first-round games with Augusta on April 8 (7,181) and 19 (7,181).

[talkingcanes]

First 2 ECHL Finals Games Sell Out
In Less Than 24 Hours
May 12, 2004

Florida, Idaho Sellouts Make Conference Finals Tremendous Success

PRINCETON, N.J. - The Florida Everblades sold out 7,080 tickets for both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Finals in less than 24 hours. The Everblades began selling tickets immediately following their win in Game 5 on Monday, selling over 3,500 tickets while keeping the box office open until 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

The sellouts on Friday and Saturday will give Florida four consecutive sellouts as the Everblades drew a standing-room-only crowd of 7,444 on Monday and a record-setting crowd of 7,738 for Game 2 on April 30. Florida and Idaho will play at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday with Games 3 and 4 in Idaho on May 19 and 21 at 7:05 p.m. MT.

The two crowds in Florida combined with two sellouts in Idaho made the Conference Finals one of the most successful in the 16-year history of the ECHL. The nine games drew 47,511 for an average of 5,279 per game, the third-highest per game average in league history.

Heading into the Kelly Cup Finals, the ECHL has drawn 203,604 and is averaging 3,393 per game, the highest per game average since 2000. The average of 3,393 per game is up 31 percent from the postseason average of 2,578 in 2003 when the ECHL and the now defunct West Coast Hockey League combined drew 203,651 for 79 games.

The 7,444 on Monday was the second postseason sellout and the 10th sellout of the season for Florida which had previously eclipsed its team record for attendance on January 17 (7,386), January 31 (7,581) and April 30 (7,738). The 7,444 and 7,738 are the two largest Conference Finals crowds in the past five years and are the second and third largest postseason crowds since 2000. The largest Kelly Cup Playoffs crowd since 2000 is 8,834 at South Carolina for the decisive game of the 2000 Kelly Cup Finals.

Idaho drew 10,558 for two games in the Conference Finals and averaged 5,279 per game, exceeding the capacity of the Bank of America Centre (5,006) by more than five percent. Florida drew 20,539 for three Conference Finals games and averaged 6,846 per game, more than 96

percent of the capacity of TECO Arena (7,080). Reading drew 10,857 for two games in the Conference Finals and averaged 5,429 per game, 75 percent of the capacity of the Sovereign Center (7,215).

Florida leads the postseason in total attendance with 41,334 and average attendance with 5,904. The Everblades have led the ECHL in average postseason attendance in every one of their six seasons and have eight of the Top 20 postseason crowds since 2000. In the regular season, Florida led the ECHL in total attendance with 223,732 and average attendance with 6,214, the fourth consecutive year that the Everblades have led the league in both total attendance and average attendance.

The crowd of 5,082 for Game 4 was Idaho's second sellout of the postseason and its league-leading 12th sellout of 2003-04. The crowd of 5,476 for Game 3 was the largest postseason crowd in the history of the Bank of America Centre. In the postseason, Idaho ranks third in total attendance with 28,691 and fourth in average attendance with 4,203 per game.

Making the first Kelly Cup Playoffs appearance in its three-year history, Reading is third in total attendance with 28,691 and third in average attendance with 4,781 per game. Reading has ranked second in both total and average attendance in the regular season each of its three seasons, including 2003-04 when the Royals drew 193,367 for an average of 5,371 per game. Alaska sold out two of its three postseason games and drew 17,305 for an average of 5,768 per game which ranks second in the postseason. The Aces became the first ECHL team to have two sellouts in the postseason since 2000 when Florida sold out its two first-round games with Augusta on April 8 (7,181) and 19 (7,181).

[nccanes]

Maybe PK is making some money on the Everblades even if he's losing it with the Canes. ;)

What a great success - attendance record for 4 straight years!

The fans are treating those players to some great crowds! The ECHL playoff game that I attended only had ~2500, but it was still enthusiastic.

[nccanes]

Maybe PK is making some money on the Everblades even if he's losing it with the Canes. ;)

What a great success - attendance record for 4 straight years!

The fans are treating those players to some great crowds! The ECHL playoff game that I attended only had ~2500, but it was still enthusiastic.

[Mona]

The fans are treating those players to some great crowds! The ECHL playoff game that I attended only had ~2500, but it was still enthusiastic.

The NHL players and fans (present company excluded) could learn something from these folks.. ;) The guys in the minors play for the love of the sport..

[Mona]

The fans are treating those players to some great crowds! The ECHL playoff game that I attended only had ~2500, but it was still enthusiastic.

The NHL players and fans (present company excluded) could learn something from these folks.. ;) The guys in the minors play for the love of the sport..

[nccanes]

The Everblades lost Game 1, 1-5 last night.

They are down 0-2 at the 1st intermission tonight.

Because of some scheduling conflicts at TECO arena, they have a strange schedule, the are playing 2-3-1-1, so they'll have to play 3 straight games at Idaho after tonight.



Games 1 and 2 will be played in Florida on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET with Games 3 and 4 in Idaho on May 19 and 21 at 7:05 p.m. MT. Game 5, if necessary, would be played in Idaho on May 22 at 7:05 p.m. MT while Game 6, if necessary, would be played in Florida on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Game 7, if necessary, would be played in Idaho on May 28 at 7:05 p.m. MT.

[nccanes]

The Everblades lost Game 1, 1-5 last night.

They are down 0-2 at the 1st intermission tonight.

Because of some scheduling conflicts at TECO arena, they have a strange schedule, the are playing 2-3-1-1, so they'll have to play 3 straight games at Idaho after tonight.



Games 1 and 2 will be played in Florida on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET with Games 3 and 4 in Idaho on May 19 and 21 at 7:05 p.m. MT. Game 5, if necessary, would be played in Idaho on May 22 at 7:05 p.m. MT while Game 6, if necessary, would be played in Florida on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Game 7, if necessary, would be played in Idaho on May 28 at 7:05 p.m. MT.

[talkingcanes]

Kelly Cup Finals
has it all

By Mark Simon
Special to NHL.com
May 14, 2004

The nice thing about the Kelly Cup Finals matchup pitting the Florida Everblades against the Idaho Steelheads is that it features a little bit of everything.

There is parity, with two teams you wouldn't have expected to be here -- Idaho finished tied for the 11th best record in the league. Florida finished tied for 13th. There is NHL-caliber goaltending on both ends with Florida's Rob Zepp pitted against Dan Ellis. There is high-caliber skill (the Everblades are considered to be the league's best transition team), and good all-around team play (the Steelheads have four players with either 11 or 12 postseason points. There is an international flavor, as two of Idaho's top players (Andrei Vasilyev and Jan Kopecky) are European. There are experienced veterans, like the 31-year-old Vasilyev, who played three stints in the NHL totaling 16 games, and Tom Buckley and Reggie Berg on the Everblades, who emerged from retirement to become two of the most likely candidates for postseason MVP honors. Buckley had nine goals and 19 points in 12 games, two points more than Berg.

"Hockey never leaves your blood," said Buckley, who worked in the real estate business for a few months before returning to the rink in midseason (Berg took a year off to work as a stockbroker and insurance salesmen.) "I had skated five times in the 10 months between games. It's amazing what will and determination can overcome. Reg and I are best friends. We came back together and now we're on a little bit of a roll."

Then there are the youngsters with NHL aspirations, like the 17 players in the finals who were born in the 80s. These are the ones for whom the national exposure and the value of winning a championship, could pay major dividends down the road.

One of those players is Idaho forward David Bararuk, the youngest player in the Kelly Cup Finals. Bararuk, a 21-year-old from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, spent most of the season with the AHL's Utah Grizzlies. Like his teammate, Steelheads goalie Dan Ellis, Bararuk returned to Boise with the Steelheads trailing their best-of-five first-round series two games to none and made a valuable impact. In 10 playoff games, he has four goals and nine points.

Bararuk scored more points in 16 ECHL games (15) than he did in 52 AHL games.
"When one line isn't playing well, the other two are," Bararuk said. "When all three are working, we dominate. We've gotten great goaltending from Dan. It's nice to know you have someone behind you that can save your butt."

Bararuk adjusted to the Steelheads ways quickly. Coming down to the ECHL got his confidence back in his scoring and puck-handling ability. In Utah, he was playing out of position, on a checking rather than scoring line. He scored more points in 16 ECHL games (15) than he did in 52 AHL games.

"Learning the pro game was an adjustment," Bararuk said. "You can't be passive in the pros. You have to make things happen. You have to get to the puck before it gets to (where it's heading). Not being a go-to guy was a transition too. That made it a little tougher."

With the Steelheads, Bararuk has felt comfortable. Before one game, the team had a "white-out" promotion where fans were encouraged to wear white shirts. Bararuk showed up decked out in a white tuxedo.

"I'm a guy that tries to do little things to loosen guys up," Bararuk said. "I'm pretty laid back for the most part, but hockey is about having fun."

Both Florida and Idaho expect sellout crowds for the entire championship round. Idaho sold out the Bank of America Centre for its two conference final games with Gwinnett. Florida drew upwards of 7,000 to TECO Arena for the last two games of its series with Reading and sold out the first two games of the Kelly Cup within 24 hours of putting tickets on sale.

NHL relevance -- Seven players in the Kelly Cup Finals are in the ECHL on NHL contracts. Four Everblades -- Damian Surma, Rob Zepp, Chad Larose, and Jared Newman are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes, while Ellis, Bararuk and Brett Draney all are signed with the Dallas Stars. In all, 22 of the players in the Kelly Cup Finals were NHL draft picks.

Eighteen NHL players have won an ECHL championship, the most notable being Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig, who won the Riley Cup with the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1991.

Many in the ECHL may be rooting for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL playoffs. The Lightning roster features eight players with ECHL experience. In all, 12 ECHL alumni are listed on the rosters of the four teams in the conference finals.

[talkingcanes]

Kelly Cup Finals
has it all

By Mark Simon
Special to NHL.com
May 14, 2004

The nice thing about the Kelly Cup Finals matchup pitting the Florida Everblades against the Idaho Steelheads is that it features a little bit of everything.

There is parity, with two teams you wouldn't have expected to be here -- Idaho finished tied for the 11th best record in the league. Florida finished tied for 13th. There is NHL-caliber goaltending on both ends with Florida's Rob Zepp pitted against Dan Ellis. There is high-caliber skill (the Everblades are considered to be the league's best transition team), and good all-around team play (the Steelheads have four players with either 11 or 12 postseason points. There is an international flavor, as two of Idaho's top players (Andrei Vasilyev and Jan Kopecky) are European. There are experienced veterans, like the 31-year-old Vasilyev, who played three stints in the NHL totaling 16 games, and Tom Buckley and Reggie Berg on the Everblades, who emerged from retirement to become two of the most likely candidates for postseason MVP honors. Buckley had nine goals and 19 points in 12 games, two points more than Berg.

"Hockey never leaves your blood," said Buckley, who worked in the real estate business for a few months before returning to the rink in midseason (Berg took a year off to work as a stockbroker and insurance salesmen.) "I had skated five times in the 10 months between games. It's amazing what will and determination can overcome. Reg and I are best friends. We came back together and now we're on a little bit of a roll."

Then there are the youngsters with NHL aspirations, like the 17 players in the finals who were born in the 80s. These are the ones for whom the national exposure and the value of winning a championship, could pay major dividends down the road.

One of those players is Idaho forward David Bararuk, the youngest player in the Kelly Cup Finals. Bararuk, a 21-year-old from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, spent most of the season with the AHL's Utah Grizzlies. Like his teammate, Steelheads goalie Dan Ellis, Bararuk returned to Boise with the Steelheads trailing their best-of-five first-round series two games to none and made a valuable impact. In 10 playoff games, he has four goals and nine points.

Bararuk scored more points in 16 ECHL games (15) than he did in 52 AHL games.
"When one line isn't playing well, the other two are," Bararuk said. "When all three are working, we dominate. We've gotten great goaltending from Dan. It's nice to know you have someone behind you that can save your butt."

Bararuk adjusted to the Steelheads ways quickly. Coming down to the ECHL got his confidence back in his scoring and puck-handling ability. In Utah, he was playing out of position, on a checking rather than scoring line. He scored more points in 16 ECHL games (15) than he did in 52 AHL games.

"Learning the pro game was an adjustment," Bararuk said. "You can't be passive in the pros. You have to make things happen. You have to get to the puck before it gets to (where it's heading). Not being a go-to guy was a transition too. That made it a little tougher."

With the Steelheads, Bararuk has felt comfortable. Before one game, the team had a "white-out" promotion where fans were encouraged to wear white shirts. Bararuk showed up decked out in a white tuxedo.

"I'm a guy that tries to do little things to loosen guys up," Bararuk said. "I'm pretty laid back for the most part, but hockey is about having fun."

Both Florida and Idaho expect sellout crowds for the entire championship round. Idaho sold out the Bank of America Centre for its two conference final games with Gwinnett. Florida drew upwards of 7,000 to TECO Arena for the last two games of its series with Reading and sold out the first two games of the Kelly Cup within 24 hours of putting tickets on sale.

NHL relevance -- Seven players in the Kelly Cup Finals are in the ECHL on NHL contracts. Four Everblades -- Damian Surma, Rob Zepp, Chad Larose, and Jared Newman are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes, while Ellis, Bararuk and Brett Draney all are signed with the Dallas Stars. In all, 22 of the players in the Kelly Cup Finals were NHL draft picks.

Eighteen NHL players have won an ECHL championship, the most notable being Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig, who won the Riley Cup with the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1991.

Many in the ECHL may be rooting for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL playoffs. The Lightning roster features eight players with ECHL experience. In all, 12 ECHL alumni are listed on the rosters of the four teams in the conference finals.

[Anonymous]

Not looking too good for the Everblades.

Down 2 games to 0 and now must win games on the road after blowing the first two games. They were not close games either (5-1 & 6-4).

Credit Idaho for wanting it more thus far.

[Anonymous]

Not looking too good for the Everblades.

Down 2 games to 0 and now must win games on the road after blowing the first two games. They were not close games either (5-1 & 6-4).

Credit Idaho for wanting it more thus far.

[nccanes]

Game 3 goes to OT with the score 0-0 (and I'm going to bed). You can listen live from the 'Blades site, but I noticed you could get an actual live video webcast from the Steelheads website for $6.00.

https://www.hotellinktv.com/livenew/hockey/idaho/billnow.asp


EDIT: Nevermind. Steelheads score in OT. Lead the series 3-0.

[nccanes]

Game 3 goes to OT with the score 0-0 (and I'm going to bed). You can listen live from the 'Blades site, but I noticed you could get an actual live video webcast from the Steelheads website for $6.00.

https://www.hotellinktv.com/livenew/hockey/idaho/billnow.asp


EDIT: Nevermind. Steelheads score in OT. Lead the series 3-0.

[nccanes]

The Everblades lost to the Steelheads in Game 5, 2-5 and lose the series 4 games to 1.

I noticed it was 2-2 in the 2nd period before I went to bed.

Oh well. :sad: Great showing by the Everblades.

I noticed in some article that the 04-05 ECHL schedules comes out next week. Maybe we should all look over the ECHL and AHL schedules....just in case. ;)

[nccanes]

The Everblades lost to the Steelheads in Game 5, 2-5 and lose the series 4 games to 1.

I noticed it was 2-2 in the 2nd period before I went to bed.

Oh well. :sad: Great showing by the Everblades.

I noticed in some article that the 04-05 ECHL schedules comes out next week. Maybe we should all look over the ECHL and AHL schedules....just in case. ;)

[tommy]

damn. i was kinda hoping for a miracle comeback, and after game 4, and through part of game 5, it looked like they might start one.

awesome year, though!!

[tommy]

damn. i was kinda hoping for a miracle comeback, and after game 4, and through part of game 5, it looked like they might start one.

awesome year, though!!