ESTERO — It was a bittersweet evening at Germain Arena on Tuesday. On one hand, it was a joyous occasion as the Florida Everblades welcomed fans into the venue for a championship celebration. But while the arena floor was filled with fans, the team’s locker room was quickly emptying.
With a stage set up and live music playing, thousands of fans turned out to catch a glimpse of the Kelly Cup and meet-and-greet with their favorite Everblades players. Behind the scenes, Florida’s players emptied their lockers while conducting exit interviews with coach Greg Poss.
For such a tight-knit team, the reality was finally setting in that the dream run to the championship was finally coming to an end.
“We were so focused during the run on winning games that we didn’t spend a lot of time together away from the rink having fun,” forward Matt Marquardt said. “We really had a chance to get out and enjoy it but it’s always going to be tough when you have to say goodbye.”
Many of the players will leave for home on Wednesday, with a few others trickling out as the week goes on.
“I’ve got a 1,700 mile drive home tomorrow morning.” Marquardt said.
In the meantime, the players and the fans enjoyed the sights and sounds of Germain Arena for the last time of the 2011-12 season.
“It means a hell of a lot,” longtime season ticket holder Vinny DeMaria said. “I’ve followed this team for a long time and I really feel like I’m a part of this.”
The Everblades players said getting a chance to spend time with the fans that supported them during their run to the title is rare, especially after the season.
“It was just to so great to see everyone one last time,” goalie Pat Nagle said. “They were great during the whole year and really gave us a boost during the playoffs.”
Team president and general manager Craig Brush planned the event as a way to involve the team’s “7th man.”
“Everything happened so fast when we won,” Brush said. “Tonight is all about the fans and letting them be involved because they’re a big part of this.”
Poss said he enjoyed the time with the fans, but also said it’s hard to turn the page on the latest chapter in the team’s title season.
“The players have been celebrating and now tonight was a chance for the fans to celebrate,” Poss said. “And while it’s sad to see guys leaving I think we’re all ready to rest for a while.”
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2012 KELLY CUP FINALS
Game 5: Everblades win Kelly Cup
- Video: Blades win the Kelly Cup
- Video: Hockey Fight - Sebastien Piche & Robbie Smith
- Photos: Everblades win Kelly Cup for first time
- Story: Blades players walk off with Cup as Brush reflects on title
- Story: Everblades crowned champions
- Live Updates: Everblades take on Wranglers in Game 5 of Kelly Cup Finals
- Story: Blades trying not to think about winning Cup heading into tonight
Game 4
- Video: Game 4: Blades edge closer to Cup
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals: Hockey Fight -- Florida's Ryan Donald vs. Las Vegas' Michael Busto
- Video: Everblades preview Game 4
- Photos: Everblades win Game 4 of ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs
- Everblades on cusp of Cup with 3-1 win
- Live Updates: Everblades take on Wranglers in Game 4 of Kelly Cup Finals
- Story: Blades hoping to keep momentum going into Game 4 after 3-day break
Game 3
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Blades win OT thriller
- Video: Everblades preview Game 3
- Photos: Blades 4, Wranglers 3
- Story: Everblades take time to rest after big win in Game 3
- Story: Everblades complete comeback in Game 3 to take 2-1 series lead
- Story: David Moulton - Friday's Game 3 may decide whether this is Blades' year
- Story: Series shifts to Germain Arena for Game 3
Game 2
- Chat archive: Everblades take on Wranglers in Game 2 of Kelly Cup Finals
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals: Game 2 Postgame
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Florida coach Greg Poss previews Game 2
- Photos: Game 2 - Blades 7, Wranglers 2
- Story: Blades draw even with 7-2 victory in Game 2
- Story: Diehards trek to Vegas to support Everblades
Game 1
- Chat archive: Everblades take on Wranglers in Game 1 of Kelly Cup Finals
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Players talk following Game 1
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Coaches Postgame Comments
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals Pregame - Game 1
- Video: Everblades enjoy Las Vegas
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Interview with Florida coach Greg Poss
- Video: Kelly Cup Preview
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Everblades forward Matt Beca
- Video: Kelly Cup Finals - Florida Coach Greg Poss
- Photos: ECHL Kelly Cup Finals: Game 1, Las Vegas 2, Florida
- Photos: Florida Everblades in Las Vegas
- Story: Everblades fall just short in Game 1 to Wranglers
- Story: Las Vegas, Florida more than just sunny climates for hockey players
- Story: Blades enjoy day in Vegas, but ready for Game 1 Monday
- Story: Everblades have passed late-season chemistry test
- Story: Raymond, Rutherford bring championship swagger to Everblades
- Story: Blades see similarities with Wranglers
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Comments » 1
kltb428 writes:
Thanks to the team, the coach, Craig Brush and everyone else involved at the arena for giving us this once in a lifetime experience. I know I will never forget how it feels to see our team win a championship. Would love to see everyone back but also wish them well in whatever opportunity opens up for them. They have earned it.
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