Written by: Nikki Scarpaci
The third annual Florida Cup was kicked off with a bang, Saturday, October 19th, 2024, as the Mayor of Fort Myers, Kevin B. Anderson, opened the games with an honorary puck drop. The Mayor was largely impressed with the USPHPL Florida Cup event, and was pleased to participate in the puck drop and open the games.
Four teams in Florida, Florida Eels, Palm Beach Typhoon, Florida Jr. Blades, and Tampa Bay Juniors, come together every October to battle for the tile and honor of becoming the Florida Cup Champions. At its third year, the stakes grow higher as the Florida Eels have held the title of Florida Cup Champions in both the Elite and Premier Divisions for two years. Teams show up with excitement and ready to leave it on the line, as they battle to bring the cup home to their home rink and their piece of Florida.
Two-time defending champions the Florida Eels Premier were awakened and prepared to regain the tile of this year’s 2024 Florida Cup Champions as they stepped foot on the ice Saturday, October 19th, 2024 to take on the Pam Beach Typhoon. After a devastating, 4-3, loss two days prior to the Typhoon, the Eels were focused. The Florida Eels opened the game with three goals in the first period, against the Typhoon. The Eels defended their zone, and continued to secure another five goals in the second period. Taking an 8-0 victory over the Palm Beach Typhoon and securing their spot in the Championship on Sunday.
The Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors played in the Florida Cup Championship game on Sunday, October 20th at 3:00pm. Both teams making their appearance for the third time, in three years, to battle for the chance to win the Florida Cup. Stakes high, as the Florida Eels battled to remain the Florida Cup Champions, and as the Tampa Bay Juniors strived to dethrone the Eels title, taking home the cup for both the Elite and Premier Divisions this season.
Both the Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors were determined to grab the first point of the game, as the players continued to make phenomenal plays and goalies made remarkable saves. At the end of the first period, the scored remained deadlocked 0-0.
Both teams returned to the ice, with fire and grit, trying to gain the first point, the lead in the gam. At 17:47 in the second period, the Eels finally claimed the first point of the game, goal scored by Maximilian Ideström. The period closed 1-0, Eels.
In the third period, at 4:02 Tampa Bay Juniors tied the game 1-1, goal scored by Dawson Osborn. Tensions were high, as both teams were determined to advance. Players continued to lay on countless shots, hoping to get the puck through to the net. At 14:54, Xavier Charron scored the second goal in favor of the Eels, propelling the lead 2-1. Tampa Bay Juniors continued to fight to tie up the game through the very last second of play.
The Florida Eels claimed their third Florida Cup victory, with a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Juniors. Congratulations Eels!
