After a historic playoff presence, the Florida Everblades hosted a celebration at Hertz Arena last night for fans and community members to get autographs, pictures, and see the Kelly Cup.
Throughout their playoff run, the Blades always talked about the importance of not only having the support of each individual fan but all of Southwest Florida's support the past few months.
Despite losses and any degree of doubt, the fans continually showed their hope and belief at every home game and over social media which helped fuel this group of guys through adversity and pressure to get the job done which is why an Everblades celebration was necessary to showing their appreciation.
Looking Back to How They Got Here
"When we came out in overtime and just how the building was, how loud it was, I just knew there was no chance we were losing. There was no chance we were going back to Kansas City," said Cole Moberg during the Everblades celebration on Game 5.
With the roaring fans rallying behind him, Moberg expands on the game winning moment that Matt Wedman scored in overtime.
"I just threw my gloves off, threw my helmet off, throw your stick. It's just unbelievable. It's the best feeling in the world."
On that same note, the hero of Game 5 had a similar expression for the night he made history.
"There's no words for it. I saw Reilly coming up the wall and I just tried to get some open ice and luckily enough I was able to sneak it in," said Wedman. "It's a moment I'll never forget."
Everblades Celebration: The Swamp
Not only did the fans have part in the Everblades success, but so did Head Coach Brad Ralph.
"He's a champion through and through... He knows how to win and we all followed his lead," said Wedman.
Ralph, who consistently emphasized the importance of having hope and flushing bad moments or bad games, is the heart of his team for instilling a winning mindset into the roots of who the Everblades are.
The winning dynamic of the swamp is one that begins with Ralph and his ability to not only lead by example but execute history making hockey from what happens off the ice to what happens on the ice.
"The way we get treated from our coaches, to training staff, to every equipment guy, everyone. We get treated unbelievably. Everyone wants to be here," said Moberg.
And with that, the Everblades celebration worked to help showed their appreciation to those who have been with them every step of the way because the swamp is made up of much more than just 23 guys who play hockey, but is the entirety of SWFL instead.
