Blades rally to win finale 5-4
Having nothing to play for but pride, the Florida Everblades pulled out a 5-4 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears Saturday night in the regular season finale at Germain Arena.
“I thought that, for the last game of the season and considering the circumstances,” said Blades coach Greg Poss, “I thought we played with good speed and good intensity, but we had a few defensive mistakes that we are going to have to fix before next week’s playoffs.”
No matter the outcome of the game, the Blades and Solar Bears knew they were going to square off again in the first round of the ECHL Easter Conference playoffs. The Everblades (49-23) host the Bears next Friday and Saturday nights at Germain Arena in the best-of-seven opening series. If necessary, the final two games will be played at Germain Arena on April 27 and 29.
Orlando (37-35) opened with two quick goals against Blades net minder Allen York (13 saves), but the Blades responded with three scores of their own before the end of the first period. Alex Lavoie’s 21st goal of the year in front of the net came as the result of a pass from Casey Pierre-Zabotel. Rob Florentino’s tally tied the game minutes later and the Blades won the ensuing faceoff with Adam Brace scoring the third goal, his 35th of the year, to put the Blades in front.
A pair of power play goals by the Solar Bears, wrapped around a goal by Nicolas Deschamps in the second period set up a do-or-die third period between the in-state rivals, which the Blades eventually won on Kevin Czuzcman’s goal from 25 feet away with than eight minutes to play.
The Blades now set their sights on the postseason, and facing Orlando in the first round.
“We saw that every game of (the last week) was a one-goal (outcome),” said Poss. “They have a pretty good team, and it will a good challenge. It was really a great regular season, but that’s over now and we will be measured by how we do”.
Florida finished the year with 105 total points, second overall in the ECHL, losing out on the Brabham Cup trophy to the Toledo Walleye on a tiebreaker.