ESTERO, Fla. – A pair of former North Dakota hockey student-athletes captured a postseason crown last weekend, helping the Florida Everblades capture their third straight Kelly Cup title as ECHL champions.
Goaltender Cam Johnson backstopped Florida to a title for the third straight year, becoming the first goaltender in ECHL history to win back-to-back-to-back championships. The former NCAA champion with the Fighting Hawks in 2016 finished 16-6-1 with a .932 save percentage and a 1.88 goals against average in the postseason, including a 29-save performance in the cup-clinching victory on Saturday.
Former UND captain Mark Senden also played a crucial role for the Everblades up front, potting nine goals and adding six assists for 15 points in 23 postseason games. The Medina, Minn., native was at his best in the final round, scoring three goals over the five games, including a pair of goals in the third period to tie the game and send it into overtime in the decisive Game 5.
The Everblades fourth overall title (2012, 2022, 2023 and 2024) also sets in ECHL record, while the team’s 12 consecutive series wins is also the most all-time.
Florida have defeated the Brabham Cup champion (best record during the regular season) in each of their three consecutive Finals victories (Toledo in 2022, Idaho in 2023 and Kansas City in 2024).
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