Florida Captures E.A. "Bud" Gingher Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions
Published on May 19, 2018 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Florida Everblades claimed the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Trophy as Eastern Conference champions on Saturday with a 3-2 win over the Adirondack Thunder in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Florida wins the series 4 games to 1, and awaits the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Colorado Eagles and Fort Wayne Komets in the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals.
The Everblades raced out to a 3-0 first-period lead in Game 5 on goals from Matt Mackenzie, Michael Kirkpatrick and Mitchell Heard. Mike Szmatula got the Thunder on the board 2:39 into the final period and Colton White added a power-play tally at 12:03 to cut Florida's lead to one but that was as close as Adirondack got.
Kirkpatrick led Florida in the series with eight points (3g-5a) while Martin Ouellette went 4-1 with a 2.46 goals-against average and a save percentage of .922. Adirondack was led by Ryan Schmelzer who had four goals and eight points.
This marks the fourth time the Everblades have advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals in team history. Florida fell to Idaho in 2004 and Trenton in 2005 before defeating Las Vegas 4 games to 1 in 2012.
The trophy is named in recognition of E.A. "Bud" Gingher, who was Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors from 1992-95. Gingher, who passed away in 2002, co-founded the Dayton Bombers in 1991 and owned the team for seven seasons, serving as President and Governor until selling the team in 1998. Gingher was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.
Gingher Trophy Champions
2018 Florida Everblades
2017 South Carolina Stingrays
2016 Wheeling Nailers
2015 South Carolina Stingrays
2014 Cincinnati Cyclones
2013 Reading Royals
2012 Florida Everblades
2011 Kalamazoo Wings
2010 Cincinnati Cyclones
2009 South Carolina Stingrays
2008 Cincinnati Cyclones
2007 Dayton Bombers
2006 Gwinnett Gladiators
2005 Florida Everblades
2004 Florida Everblades
2003 Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
2002 Dayton Bombers
2001 Trenton Titans
2000 Peoria Rivermen
1999 Richmond Renegades
1998 Hampton Roads Admirals
ECHL Stories from May 19, 2018
- Cannata Makes 51 Saves in Eagles' 4-3 Win Double Overtime - Colorado Eagles
- Adirondack Thunder Season Ends with 3-2 Loss in Game 5 - Adirondack Thunder
- Florida Captures E.A. "Bud" Gingher Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions - ECHL
- Americans Unveil 10th Anniversary Logo - Allen Americans
- Game 5 - Adirondack (1-3) vs. Florida (3-1) - Adirondack Thunder
- Komets Slip 2-1 - Fort Wayne Komets
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