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Everblades' Strong Season Ends on Home Ice

Listen to the rinkside report from Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals.

The Estero-based Florida Everblades took on the reigning Kelly Cup champion Colorado Eaglesover the weekend for the last game in the ECHLfinals. 

The chants of "Let's go Blades!" were nearly deafening Saturday night.

This is the thing about minor league hockey. Unlike the much-larger arenas of the NHL, the stands are typically packed with almost entirely fans of the home team.

Such was the case at Germain Arena – where the crowd of more than 7,700 spectators was an unpolluted sea of green.

Puck drop at Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals
Credit Tara Calligan / WGCU
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WGCU
Puck drop at Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals

And, soon, that crowd was on its feet, as Spencer Smallman got the first goal of the game and put the Everblades in the lead less than halfway into the first period.

The team carried that lead into the second, before the Colorado Eagles tied it up, 1-1, and a hush fell over the once-enthusiastic crowd.

Everblades forward Spencer Smallman scores the first goal of the game.
Credit Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
Everblades forward Spencer Smallman scores the first goal of the game.

But, then, it looked like the Blades had found a savior in forward Michael Kirkpatrick, whose go-ahead goal would've put Florida back on top.

“The goal judge said it went in; the ref didn’t think it went in," Everblades Coach Brad Ralph said. "Yeah, it was hard to tell.”

Ralph says the ECHL doesn’t use video replay to judge scoring, so this ref’s opinion became law on the ice.

And, the two teams were now tied heading into the third and final period, much to the crowd’s dismay.

Referees break up a would-be fight.
Credit Tara Calligan / WGCU
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WGCU
Referees break up a would-be fight.

They chanted, "Refs you suck!" into the next period.

Things settled back down once the Everblades took the lead five minutes into the third. It was 2-1 for a while, but the reigning Kelly Cup Champions weren’t going down without a fight. This is hockey after all.

Everblades players celebrate the go-ahead goal that puts them back in the lead in the third period.
Credit Rachel Iacovone
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Rachel Iacovone
Everblades players celebrate the go-ahead goal that puts them back in the lead in the third period.

In the last ten minutes of the game, the Eagles scored, not once but twice. In a last-ditch effort, the Everblades pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker, but their fate was already sealed.

The reigning champion Colorado Eagles celebrate their second-straight Kelly Cup win.
Credit Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
The reigning champion Colorado Eagles celebrate their second-straight Kelly Cup win.

The Colorado Eagles won the fifth Game 7 in league history and the Kelly Cup, once again, as an enraged crowd and bewildered home team looked on.

“It's like someone’s taken your Christmas presents, told you Santa Claus doesn't exist," Kyle Neubersaid. "It’s just brutal.”

That’s how Blades forward Neuber described the feeling. He was the first to enter the tense and silent media room almost an hour after the game. The others were in their stalls in the locker room, sitting in full gear still, in complete disbelief.

The Everblades come off the ice to a stunned crowd after the game.
Credit Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
The Everblades come off the ice to a stunned crowd after the game.

As a reporter looped a mic through the collar of Neuber’s shirt, he joked toward the line of cameras, “I didn’t do it.”

By comparison, his teammate, Brett Bulmer, was visibly somber when he walked in.

“I honestly can’t believe it. I said that probably 50 times after game," Bulmer said. "Every single guy in there bought in. Every guy played their heart out.”

It’s that fact – the fact that every member of the team gave it their all – that gave Coach Ralph some peace of mind, despite the loss.

“Our guys did everything right," Ralph said. "What more can you ask for?”

Forward Stephen MacAullay takes a knee on the ice after the surprising loss.
Credit Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
Forward Stephen MacAullay takes a knee on the ice after the surprising loss.

Though the Everblades may not be the Kelly Cup champions this season, they did earn theBrabham Cup for the third time in team history. That cup goes to the ECHL team with the most points, which really means the most wins in regulation or overtime or, in other words, the best regular-season team in the league.

So, no second Kelly Cup for the Everblades this time. But, after a season like this, maybe it’s like Coach Ralph said: what more can you ask for?

The ice is covered in gloves from the Colorado Eagles, who stripped them off in celebration after the team's 3-2 win.
Credit Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
The ice is covered in gloves from the Colorado Eagles, who stripped them off in celebration after the team's 3-2 win.

Both teams and the crowd stand for the National Anthem before the game begins.
Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
Both teams and the crowd stand for the National Anthem before the game begins.
Referees break up one of many screaming matches during the game, none of which escalate into a full-blown fight.
Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
Referees break up one of many screaming matches during the game, none of which escalate into a full-blown fight.
Everblades defenseman Clark Seymour leaps into the air to check an Eagles player against the boards.
Tara Calligan / WGCU
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WGCU
Everblades defenseman Clark Seymour leaps into the air to check an Eagles player against the boards.
Everblades defenseman Logan Roe has the puck, as he faces three Eagles players.
Rachel Iacovone / WGCU
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WGCU
Everblades defenseman Logan Roe has the puck, as he faces three Eagles players.
Everblades defenseman Derek Sheppard kicks up a flurry of shaved ice, as he attempts to get the puck back.
Tara Calligan / WGCU
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WGCU
Everblades defenseman Derek Sheppard kicks up a flurry of shaved ice, as he attempts to get the puck back.
Everblades forward Joe Cox looks to pass the puck away from the Eagles player closing in.
Tara Calligan / WGCU
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WGCU
Everblades forward Joe Cox looks to pass the puck away from the Eagles player closing in.

Copyright 2018 WGCU

RachelIacovoneis a reporter and associate producer ofGulf Coast LiveforWGCU News. Rachel came toWGCU as an intern in 2016, during the presidential race. She went on to cover Florida Gulf Coast University students at President Donald Trump's inauguration on Capitol Hill and Southwest Floridians in attendance at the following day's Women's March on Washington.