Everblades defeat Kansas City in Game 4, take 3-1 series lead

ESTERO, Fla. – Cam Johnson made 18 saves and Oliver Chau and Joe Pendenza both had a goal and an assist to lead the Florida Everblades to a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Mavericks in Game 4 of the 2024 Kelly Cup Finals in front of a standing-room only crowd of 7,448 fans on Friday at Hertz Arena.
 
The Everblades take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series, and can become the first team in the ECHL’s 36-year history to win three consecutive championships in Game 5 on Saturday.
 
Box Score
 
Florida opened the scoring 11:25 into the contest when Oliver Chau, who had a hat trick in Game 3, skated down the right-wing side and beat Jack LaFontaine for a shorthanded goal with a wrist shot from the right-wing circle.
 
The Everblades extended the lead to 2-0 just 45 seconds into the second period when Cole Moberg’s shot from the top of the right-wing circle was deflected into the net by Joe Pendenza for his fifth goal of the playoffs.
 
Kansas City cut the deficit in half at 6:36 of the second period as Justin MacPherson scored his first goal of the playoffs, beating Cam Johnson with a quick shot from inside the right-wing circle.
 
Florida regained its two-goal advantage at the 2:56 mark of the third period when Will Reilly skated to the left-wing circle and beat LaFontaine with a wrist shot for his third postseason goal.

Bobo Carpenter set the final with an empty-net goal with 1:25 remaining in regulation.
 
Game 5 of the series is on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Hertz Arena. Catch all of the action live by tuning into FloHockey.
 
NOTES: Florida has won seven consecutive home games in the Kelly Cup Finals … Johnson recorded his 11th career win in the Kelly Cup Finals, tying Riley Gill for the most Finals wins in ECHL postseason history … Chau has scored six goals in the series, the second most in a single Riley/Kelly Cup Finals in league history. The record of seven goals is shared by three players.
 
2024 Kelly Cup Finals
Game 1 – FLORIDA 8 at Kansas City 1
Game 2 – Florida 1 at KANSAS CITY 5
Game 3 – Kansas City 3 at FLORIDA 5
Game 4 – Kansas City 1 at FLORIDA 4
Game 5 – Saturday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Florida
Game 6 – Monday, June 10 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, June 12 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)