Aleardi leads Florida to 3-2 win in Game 1

Alex Aleardi’s second goal of the game with 1:41 remaining in regulation gave the Florida Everblades a 3-2 win over the Toledo Walleye in Game 1 of the 2022 Kelly Cup Finals on Friday at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The attendance of 8,600 stands as the 10th largest in Riley/Kelly Cup Finals history.

Box Score

Toledo defenseman Randy Gazzola scored the first goal of the series with a one-timer from the top of the left-wing circle at 14:09 of the first period.

The Walleye’s playoff-leading power-play unit extended the lead at 18:04 as John Albert took a pass from Matt Berry on the right post and stuffed a shot past Florida goaltender Cam Johnson.

Florida’s power play answered with a goal of its own 12:36 into the second period to pull within one. Zach Solow was stationed on the left post, where he gathered in a pass from Jake Jaremko and swept the puck past Toledo goaltender Billy Christopoulos for his sixth goal of the playoffs.

The Everblades pulled even 6:45 into the third period when Aleardi put the rebound of a Lukas Kaelble shot past Christopoulos for his seventh postseason goal.

Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday at Huntington Center with the opening face-off at 7:35 p.m. ET. Catch all of the action live by tuning into FloHockey.

2022 Kelly Cup Finals

Game 1 – FLORIDA 3 at Toledo 2Game 2 – Saturday, June 4 at 7:35 p.m. ET at ToledoGame 3 – Wednesday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 4 – Friday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 5 – Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)Game 6 – Tuesday, June 14 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)Game 7 – Thursday, June 16 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)