Florida and Wheeling meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the second time, with the Everblades looking to avenge their 2016 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals loss to the Nailers. This matchup marks the Everblades’ 11th Conference Finals appearance in franchise history and their seventh in the last eight postseasons. The winner will take home the E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy and advance to the Kelly Cup Finals.
Anthony Romano leads the Everblades with eight playoff goals and 10 total points, tying for the team lead with Carson Gicewicz. Defenseman Cole Moberg is also a key contributor, ranking third among all defensemen with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists). In net, Cam Johnson has been a stalwart, posting a 1.34 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. Johnson has also won the Nick Vitucci Award as ECHL Goaltender of the Year in 2025 and 2026.
Wheeling enters the series with momentum after capturing the North Division regular-season title for the first time since 2003–04. The Nailers eliminated Reading and Maine with decisive home wins in each series. Ryan McAllister leads the way with 11 playoff points (4 goals, 7 assists), placing him seventh in the postseason. Rookie Brayden Edwards has also made an impact with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists), while Zach Urdahl’s five goals are tied for the rookie lead.
In goal, Taylor Gauthier is quietly dominant. The 2024 Nick Vitucci Award winner is fifth in the playoffs with a 1.86 goals-against average and sixth with a .934 save percentage. Gauthier has also posted three playoff shutouts, the most in the tournament.
Florida has reached the Kelly Cup Finals seven times, winning four titles, the most in ECHL history. Their recent dominance includes sweeps of Savannah and South Carolina in the first two rounds. Wheeling’s path to the Conference Finals was no less impressive, with a 4–1 series win over Reading and a hard-fought 4–3 victory over Maine.
Game 1 is set for Friday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida. The best-of-seven series continues with Game 2 the following night at 7 p.m. ET. The series then shifts to Wheeling for Games 3 through 5 before returning to Florida if necessary.
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