2018 ECHL Kelly Cup Finals Thread

[JMCx4]

From: The ECHL > Headlines

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 KELLY CUP FINALS

MAY 23, 2018

The ECHL announced on Wednesday the schedule for the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals between the Florida Everblades and Colorado Eagles.

Colorado Eagles win the 2018 Kelly Cup Championship Series 4-3

Game 1 – Friday, May 25 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado ... Florida (1) - Colorado (3) ... Eagles prevail 3-1 in Game 1 of 2018 Kelly Cup Finals

Game 2 – Sunday, May 27 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado ... Florida (4) - Colorado (3) ... Heard’s late goal gives Florida 4-3 win in Game 2

Game 3 – Wednesday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida ... Colorado (5) - Florida (4) (1OT) ... Olsen's strikes give Eagles OT win in Game 3

Game 4 – Friday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida ... Colorado (6) - Florida (7) (1OT) ... Everblades even Kelly Cup Finals with 7-6 overtime win

Game 5 – Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida ... Colorado (0) - Florida (5) ... Everblades take series lead behind Oullette's shutout

Game 6 – Wednesday, June 6 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado ... Florida (2) - Colorado (4) ... Eagles force Game 7

Game 7 – Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida ... Colorado (3) - Florida (2) ... Eagles capture second consecutive title with Game 7 win


Florida defeated Adirondack 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the fourth time in team history. The Everblades captured the Kelly Cup title in their last trip to the Finals in 2012. Colorado defeated Fort Wayne 4 games to 3 in the Western Conference Finals and is seeking to become the fourth back-to-back champion in the ECHL’s 30-year history after defeating South Carolina in the 2017 Kelly Cup Finals. ...

Read more at: https://www.echl.com/schedule-announced-2018-kelly-cup-finals

Click to read more...

 

[JMCx4]

From: The ECHL > Headlines

FLORIDA, COLORADO OPEN 2018 KELLY CUP FINALS ON FRIDAY

MAY 24, 2018

Series Matchup Sheet // 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs Bracket // Playoff Leaders
Download the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals Media Guide

The battle to determine the national “AA” hockey champion begins Friday when the Western Conference champion Colorado Eagles host the Eastern Conference champion Florida Everblades in Game 1 of the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals at 7:05 p.m. MT at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. ...

Working overtime

The 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs have seen 19 overtime games through three rounds. The record for overtime games in a single postseason is 26, which was set in the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Florida is 1-1 in games that have gone beyond regulation in the postseason while the Eagles are 6-1. Colorado’s six overtime wins ties the most in a single postseason in ECHL history, which was set by the Eagles in 2017.

The Everblades defeated Atlanta 3-2 in Game 4 of the South Division Semifinals before falling to Adirondack 3-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Eagles’ overtime wins have come in Game 1 of the Mountain Division Semifinals at Wichita, Games 1 and 4 of the Mountain Division Finals against Idaho and in Games 1, 5 and 7 of the Western Conference Finals against Fort Wayne. Colorado fell in extra time in Game 5 against Wichita.

Top offense meets stingy defense

Florida leads the Kelly Cup Playoffs with an average of 3.93 goals per game while Colorado ranks third in the postseason with 2.47 goals-against per game. The Everblades have scored four or more goals in nine of their 14 games during the playoffs while the Eagles have allowed two goals or less in nine of their 17 contests.

Scoring leaders on both sides

Florida is led in the playoffs by Michael Kirkpatrick, who is tied for playoff lead with 10 goals and is third overall with 19 points. Mitchell Heard has 17 points (6g-11a), which is tied for fourth in the league through the first three rounds. Zack Kamrass is tied for second among defensemen in the postseason with 11 points (2g-9a).

Michael Joly, who as an All-ECHL First Teamselection during the regular season, paces Colorado through three rounds with nine goals and 20 points. His 20 points are tied for the ECHL postseason lead. Matt Register, who has been named ECHL Defenseman of the Year in each of the last two seasons and was the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs, leads all blueliners in the playoffs with 13 points (0g-13a).

Between the pipes

Martin Ouellette, who represented Florida in the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, has played in 12 of the Everblades’ 14 games, going 11-1. He is fourth through three rounds with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. In two appearances, Callum Booth is 1-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average and a save percentage of .887.

Joe Cannata has appeared in each of Colorado’s 17 games in the playoffs, posting a record of 12-5 with a 2.22 goals-against average and a save percentage of .924. He is second among goaltenders in the playoffs with 1,028 minutes played and 460 saves.

Behind the Benches

Florida’s Brad Ralph, the 2017-18 recipient of the John Brophy Award as the ECHL Coach of the Year, is 99-34-11 in two seasons with the Everblades and is 231-98-31 overall in five ECHL seasons with Florida and Idaho. He also spent one season as head coach of Kelowna in the Western Hockey League and two seasons with Augusta of the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he led the team to the Finals in 2011.

Colorado’s Aaron Schneekloth became the first coach to lead a team to an ECHL title in his first season as a coach in 2017 and has gone 95-38-11 in two seasons with the Eagles. Schneekloth’s .756 postseason winning percentage (28-9) is second all-time among coaches in ECHL history. ...

Read more at: https://www.echl.com/florida-colorado-open-2018-kelly-cup-finals-friday

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Due to a PITA situation, I've been in Florida the last month. I got to see game 2 of the conference finals vs. Adirondack. I know nothing about Colorado, but if the series ends in game 4,5 or 7 then I'll see the KC close out game for the 6th time. 3 in Cincinnati, 2 in Dayton and maybe 1 in Estero.

It's cool watching the last game. It has always looked to me that the winning team looks as happy as those who lift a Lord Stanley's hardware

 

[JMCx4]

Colorado takes Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals with a 3-1 victory at home. The Eagles no doubt would love to leave the ECHL as repeat champions, but I think the Everblades will be equally motivated.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

HOPING Florida can pull it off because it's time for the Eagles to focus on renovations to their arena..... and 2) Florida opens up in Newfoundland in October, so technically, by default, Florida is the Kelly Cup Champions because Colorado cannot defend its title because of their decision to "graduate" to the next level.... reminds me a bit of Manchester's transition after 2014, as they were what Colorado is attempting to do....

 

[Avsrule2022]

If the Eagles win the cup, then technically, by default, they will forever be the defending champs because no ECHL team can play them to take away the title. It will have to be a new cup and trophy for the next champions.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Colorado literally only has the possibility of one more home game on June 6th, not to mention all the other scheduled events at the arena. Or you know, they would win it in Florida too.

 

[Growler]

The Everglades seem really loaded with former NHL Draft picks. Are these players owned by the Charlotte Checkers and/or Carolina Hurricanes franchise? What's the story on this team? They seem really stacked.

 

[Avsrule2022]

The Everglades seem really loaded with former NHL Draft picks. Are these players owned by the Charlotte Checkers and/or Carolina Hurricanes franchise? What's the story on this team? They seem really stacked.

From my quick calculations, there are 2 G, 2 D and 3 F on the Everblades team who are under AHL/NHL contracts. I think that's pretty standard. If Carolina and/or Charlotte were in the playoffs, that number might be smaller. By comparison, the Eagles have 2 G, 2 D and 6 F under AHL/NHL contracts.

 

[Avsrule2022]

Also, Everblades have 14 former NHL draft pick, Eagles have 11. I would have to say 14 out of 23 players is pretty stacked.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The ECHL > News > Headlines

ECHL Today – May 27
Kelly Cup Finals - Game #2

Florida Everblades at Colorado Eagles 7:05 p.m. MT
Colorado leads series 1-0
Series Matchup Sheet

• Game 2 winners are 132-63 all-time in ECHL best-of-seven series and 21-8 in the Finals.
• Florida’s Gus Young is tied for first among defensemen in plus-minus at +9.
• Colorado’s Joe Cannata is first with 487 saves.
• Everblades lead the playoffs with four shorthanded goals.
• Eagles are tied for fourth on the penalty kill at home at 86.7 percent (39-for-45).
• Florida’s Joe Cox is tied for second among rookies with two game-winning goals.
• Colorado’s Cliff Watson leads rookie defensemen with 36 shots on goal.
• Game 3 is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida ...

 

[PanniniClaus]

Anyone have enough eyes on these teams to post line combos?

 

[Growler]

Also, Everblades have 14 former NHL draft pick, Eagles have 11. I would have to say 14 out of 23 players is pretty stacked.

I agree. that is why assumed most of them were under Carolina or Charlotte contracts. The Eagles are kind of in a unique situation with Colorado without an AHL affiliation since St. Louis took San Antonio.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

I agree. that is why assumed most of them were under Carolina or Charlotte contracts. The Eagles are kind of in a unique situation with Colorado without an AHL affiliation since St. Louis took San Antonio.

Colorado was in San Antonio, St. Louis was the one that had no affiliation, Growler

 

[JMCx4]

Florida overcomes two Colorado leads on Sunday night, to win Game 2 of the Finals & tie the series at 1 game apiece. The next three games will be in Estero.

 

[royals119]

I agree. that is why assumed most of them were under Carolina or Charlotte contracts. The Eagles are kind of in a unique situation with Colorado without an AHL affiliation since St. Louis took San Antonio.

Lots of players who were drafted but never signed, or played out their NHL ELC and weren't re-signed, end up in the ECHL. Some ECHL coaches have connections to the scouting dept at their affiliate, so they can get leads on unsigned drafted players that way.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The ECHL > News > Headlines

ECHL Today – May 30
May 30, 2018
jbabik

Kelly Cup Finals

Colorado Eagles at Florida Everblades 7:30 p.m. ET
Series tied 1-1

Series Matchup Sheet

• Colorado’s Michael Joly leads the playoffs with 21 points (9g-12a).
• Florida’s Mitchell Heard is tied for third with seven power-play points (3g-4a).
• Eagles are 6-1 in games decided in overtime.
• Everblades are third with 28.81 shots-against per game.
• Colorado’s Jake Marto is tied for first among defensemen with six goals.
• Florida’s Spencer Smallman leads rookies with 11 assists.
• Game 4 is Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida ...

 

[JMCx4]

Game 3 going to OT in Estero, with the teams tied at 4-all. Goals have been coming in bunches.

 

[JMCx4]

Colorado's Ryan Olsen scores 7 minutes into overtime, to give the Eagles a 5-4 victory & a 2-1 series lead over the Everblades.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Got to see the game tonight.

The Everblades looked to me to be the far better team....UNTIL the third period. Colorado dominated the 3rd and played better in OT.

By my eyes, a pretty evenly matched series. Would be surprised if it doesn't go at least six games.

The return or continued absence of Michael Kirkpatrick, the 'Blades leading playoff scorer could be the difference in the series.

Side note: Former Chicago bassist Jeff Coffee sang the anthem. Did a decent job. I was walking through the concourse during the first intermission and he was standing by himself. Chatted with him for a few minutes. Seemed like a real decent guy.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The ECHL > News > Headlines

ECHL Today – June 1
June 1, 2018

Kelly Cup Finals

Colorado Eagles at Florida Everblades 7:30 p.m. ET
Colorado leads series 2-1
Series Matchup Sheet

• Colorado’s Matt Register leads the playoffs with nine power-play points (1g-8a).
• Florida’s Sam Warning is on a six-game point streak (3g-4a).
• Eagles are 5-0 when outhshot by their opponent on the road.
• Everblades are third on the penalty kill at home at 88.6 percent (31-for-35).
• Colorado’s Joe Cannata leads the playoffs with 544 saves.
• Florida’s Zack Kamrass is second among defensemen with 13 points (2g-11a).
• Game 5 is Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Florida ...

 

[JMCx4]

Colorado trails 6-2 vs. Florida early in the 3rd of Game 4. A multiplayer altercation late in the 2nd, no doubt fueled by the lopsided score.

 

[JMCx4]

And more fisticuffs in the 3rd. These teams are getting to know one another VERY well.

 

[JMCx4]

The Eagles score an amazing FOUR straight man advantage goals in the last half of the 3rd period to tie this one up at 6's. And so Game 4 is going to overtime in Estero. The Everblades need to get to the locker room and sort out this epic collapse.

 

[JMCx4]

Florida's D-man Gus Young scores @ 8:28 into the OT period to give the Everblades the win, 7-6.