Former Viper Dean Strong's Season Ends In Game Five Loss In ECHL Eastern Conference Finals:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Dean Strong & the Kalamazoo Wings season came to an end Saturday night after a 3-1 loss to the Florida Everblades in the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals.  The Everblades won the series 4-1 now advance to the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals.

Strong is in his third season with the Wings was also loaned twice to the American Hockey League this season. In November Strong was loaned to the AHL Chicago Wolves before returning to Kalamazoo and then was loaned to the AHL Lake Erie Monsters on December 15th 2011, collecting (4-10-11) with the Monsters before once again returning to Kalamazoo after the Monsters missed the playoffs. In 21 games with the K-Wings this year Strong collected (11-12-23) before going to the AHL. Strong played one year in Vernon (2004-05) collecting (35-56-91) with the Vipers during the regular season.

Dean Strong's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83858

This is posted on the ECHL website:

Florida claims Eastern Conference title

May 5, 2012

The Florida Everblades advanced to the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals with a 3-1 win over the Kalamazoo Wings in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida won the best-of-seven series 4 games to 1.

Florida won its third Bud Gingher Trophy as Eastern Conference champions. The Everblades also advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2004 and 2005, and are seeking their first ECHL championship. Florida will meet the Las Vegas Wranglers in the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals, with Game 1 set for Monday, May 14 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

After a scoreless first period, Mike Ratchuk opened the scoring for Florida, scoring his first goal of the postseason 9:02 into the second period. Kalamazoo pulled even on a Kory Karlander power-play goal 12:13, but the Everblades answered with a power-play goal of their own from Sebastien Piche at 18:11 to take a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Trevor Bruess provided the Everblades with some insurance, scoring his fifth goal of the postseason 5:56 into the final period.

John Muse earned the win in goal for Florida, turning aside 27 of 28 Kalamazoo shots.