Despite being in the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, there are serious doubts whether the Florida Everblades are capable of winning that elusive first championship

Gone are offensive leaders Mitch Fadden and Francis Lemieux. Fadden was released from his NHL contract following a suspected DUI incident while trying to fix a blood clot in his leg that sidelined him for more than a month. Lemieux’s rights were traded away midseason after it was determined he most likely would not be around for any potential playoff run.

Instead of trying to find suitable offensive replacements, Everblades coach Greg Poss rebuilt the team defensively, a style more suitable for a long playoff run.

That defensive transition, which has been inconsistent at best, is now more than two months old and will be put to the test by the Kalamazoo Wings, their first-round opponent.

“We’ve been working on (defense) for the last six to eight weeks. Now all that is left is to execute it,” said Poss.

To that end, the Everblades have some key pieces in place that should make their defense their strength throughout the playoffs.

Rookie defenseman Bobby Raymond brings a nose for the puck and the gritty play required to get under the skins of would-be goal scorers by being able to skate ahead of the play. Raymond’s line mate, David Fischer, has the size that Raymond lacks and shows no fear in using it to break up scoring chances or to throw a hard check near the boards to get at a loose puck.

Three-year team veteran Elgin Reid and first-year Everblade Kyle Lawson round out the defensive veterans on the playoff roster. The remaining four defensemen were acquired in trades or new signings over the last two months. All have taken to the defensive style which is now central to the Blades’ success.

Offense is where the Blades must overcome deficiencies.

For the first time in recent memory, the Blades have no one in the league’s top 20 in goals scored or assists, but the Blades can boast of having several forwards showing promise in the new system.

Veterans Ross Carlson and Mathieu Roy both were slow to change over from the fast skating, open offensive style to the more defensive-oriented style, but in recent weeks on home ice both have scored at least two goals in one game. Brad Snetsinger was acquired for the rights of Lemieux earlier this year and has shown flashes of offensive brilliance, along with rookie Matt Beca and veteran Alexandre Imbeault.

No matter how good the defense is, they still have to score goals to win. That burden may fall on the shoulders of Snetsinger, Beca and Imbeault.

“It’s important for us to focus on what we are doing, and not on what our opponent will be doing,” said Poss. “Kalamazoo has been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last two months of the regular season. They are a veteran team, an older team, so they will be prepared for the playoffs.”

The Everblades host the first two games of the best-of-five series against the Wings, but do not own home ice. The series begins Tuesday night at Germain Arena.

Game 2 is Wednesday night at Germain Arena, but after a day off for travel on Thursday, the series resumes Friday night in Kalamazoo where Games 4 and 5 would be played Saturday and Monday, if necessary.