Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Mississippi Seawolves locked the Florida Everblades into the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs, the first team in the league to clinch a berth.

With a month remaining in the season, it’s only the first step coach Malcolm Cameron sees for the Everblades to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the Kelly Cup.

“It’s (making the playoffs) is a minor accomplishment relative to what we want,” said Cameron. “The next accomplishment will be to secure home ice for the playoffs, then obviously trying to secure the division so we get home ice for two rounds. If we (win) the conference that’s home ice for three rounds, and then if we win the Brabham Cup that’s home ice throughout.”

The Brabham Cup goes to the ECHL team with the highest point total in the league. It’s an honor the Everblades captured once before, in the 2004-05 season.

For now, the biggest hurdle facing the Everblades could be keeping their edge and continuing to play well.

“We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” said Cameron. “All we have done is guarantee our spot and the guys are motivated for more than that.”

“I think, from what we have shown from our last two weekends, is we have found a grove and we will keep on going with that right into the playoffs, hopefully,” said team captain Kevin Baker.

With just 12 games left, the Blades have a 12-point lead in the South Division over second-place South Carolina, which also is tied for second overall in the conference with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The Blades also hold an eight-point lead over the Alaska Aces in the chase for the best record in the league.

The Everblades won’t know their first playoff opponent until April, but odds are the game will be on home ice.

“Right now, there is nothing left for us to perfect,” said Cameron, “Right now it’s about just staying the course – no more big peaks and no big valleys. Just stay on course and continue to make small improvements in different areas of our game.”

The Everblades are on the road for three games in three nights, two of those against Mississippi Friday and Saturday, followed by a game Sunday at Gwinnett.

The Blades return to home ice at Germain Arena on March 17 for a pair of midweek games against the Charlotte Checkers.

PAIR CALLED UP: Forwards Mathieu Roy and Patrick Bordeleau have been summoned by the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League.

Roy makes his second visit to the AHL this week since March 8 with the Rochester Americans.

The call-up is the third this season for Bordeleau, who previously spent time in Albany and Springfield for a combined seven games.

NHL DEBUT: Former Everblade forward Matt Hendricks made his National Hockey League debut Tuesday night with the Colorado Avalanche against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Henricks is the 16th player to dress for both the Everblades (2004-05) and an NHL team. He also is the 401st former ECHL player to skate in the NHL.

Hendricks, 27, took two shots Tuesday night, but had no points and one minor penalty in 17 shifts.

Prior to Tuesday, Hendricks had played in 32 games with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League this season.