Bears end Blades’ win streak
ORLANDO – Orlando goaltender Kent Patterson made 34 saves to help lead the Solar Bears to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades Saturday night. The loss halts the Everblades’ seven-game win streak.
The Bears opened the game on the attack, totaling 17 shots in the first period. Fortunately for the Blades (19-5), goaltender Allen York was on point.
Despite stopping chance after chance, York eventually surrendered the game’s first goal off a rebound opportunity. Jacob Cepis crept behind the defense and charged in on net with a 1-on-1 chance with York, who stopped Cepis’ shot. The defense failed to pick up Greg Miller who buried the rebound into the net.
The Blades tied the game on a power play as Alex Aleardi attempted to slide the puck across the crease to Adam Brace. The puck clipped the leg of Patterson and banked into the net.
Orlando reclaimed a 2-1 lead at 14:40 of the second period on a one-timed drive by Patrick Watling.
The Bears assumed a two-goal edge just 52 seconds later as Cepis batted in a goal following a shot by Greg Miller.
Florida started to gain momentum in the third period and the effort was rewarded when Mike Aviani netted a shorthanded tally. Aviani picked up a rebound of a shot by Brant Harris and shoved it into the net for the goal to pull the Everblades within 3-2.
The Blades continued to pepper the Orlando net with shots, but Patterson came up with all of the stops down the stretch to preserve Orlando’s win.
York took the loss despite a solid effort allowing three goals on 45 shots.
The teams will meet again at 6 p.m. Sunday.