By Florida Eels Staff
The third annual Florida Cup was kicked off with a bang, Saturday, Oct. 19, as the Mayor of Fort Myers, Kevin B. Anderson, opened the games with an honorary puck drop. The Mayor was largely impressed with the USPHL Florida Cup event, and was pleased to participate in the puck drop to open the games.
Four teams in Florida – the Florida Eels, Palm Beach Typhoon, Florida Jr. Blades, and Tampa Bay Juniors – come together every October to battle for the title and honor of becoming the Florida Cup Champions. In its third year, the stakes grew 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. Who will win this year? Tune in and find out!
Saturday Elite Recap:
Florida Eels vs. Palm Beach Typhoon
Florida Eels and Palm Beach Typhoon opened the Elite games. The Typhoon came out strong and ready for action, after succumbing to a 3-2 loss to the Florida Eels just two days prior. Ready to make their mark, on the two-time defending Florida Cup Elite Champions, the Palm Beach Typhoon grabbed two quick goals within the first five minutes of play. With back-and-forth play, between the Florida Eels and the Palm Beach Typhoon, the Typhoon claimed a 7-5 victory over the defending champions advancing them to the Championship on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Juniors vs. Florida Jr. Blades
The Florida Jr. Blades showed up ready for action as they took on the Tampa Bay Juniors. The Blades secured the first and only goal of the first period early on in the game. The Tampa Bay Juniors came back in the second period taking the lead 2-1. Third period, Blades tied the game at 4:40 and battled to maintain that tie or take the lead until 8:01, when the Tampa Bay Juniors scored and took the lead 3-2. Tampa Bay Juniors were able to capture their insurance goal at 18:59 claiming the win 4-2 over the Blades, sending them to the Championship on Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Juniors and the Palm Beach Typhoon will face off Sunday, Oct. 20, at noon for the Florida Cup Championship. Who will take home the cup?
The Florida Eels and the Florida Jr. Blades , cross town rivals, will play a consolation game Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. Tune in live or on FloHockey to see who will be the Elite Florida Cup Champion.
Premier Recap:
Florida Eels vs. Palm Beach Typhoon
Two-time Florida Cup defending champions the Florida Eels were awakened and prepared to regain the title of this year’s 2024 Florida Cup Champions as they stepped foot on the ice Saturday to take on the Palm 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.
Tampa Bay Juniors vs. Florida Jr. Blades
Tampa Bay Juniors focused and ready to make it to the Sunday Championship, grabbed two goals within the first 8 minutes of the Saturday game against the Florida Jr. Blades. The Juniors continued to grab another two goals in the second before the Blades responded with their first and only goal of the game, closing the second period 5-1. The Jr. Blades continued to try to gain their way to the net, but Tampa deflected their advances and scored two more goals in the third claiming a 7-1 victory and an advancement to the Sunday Championship.
The Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors will face off Sunday, at 6:00 pm for the Premier Florida Cup Championship, for the third time in three years! Who will win the Cup? Will it be the two-time defending champions, the Florida Eels, or the two-time finalist the Tampa Bay Juniors? The Florida Junior Blades and the Palm Beach Typhoon will play in a consolation game Sunday at 3 p.m.. Join us live or tune in on FloHockey, to see who will become the next Florida Cup Champion
