Blades gain upper hand 3-2
The Florida Everblades began their quest for a second Kelly Cup title Friday night with a 3-2 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears at Germain Arena in the ECHL Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
Following a pair one-goal victories to close out the regular season last weekend against Orlando, the Everblades expected much of the same, a tight, physical, close scoring contest. The win gives the Blades (50-23) a 1-0 lead over the Solar Bears in the best-of-seven series. The second game is Saturday at Germain Arena.
“We really outcompeted them to win the game,” said Blades coach Greg Poss. “That was what we have to do – get gritty, and block shots. That’s playoff hockey.”
Florida was first on the scoreboard when Nicolas Deschamps tallied his first of two goals on the night, taking a pass from Mike Little and beating the Bears goaltender just 3:11 into the game.
Orlando won the ensuing faceoff and scored in 17 seconds, beating Florida netminder Allen York (25 saves), to tie the game. Two minutes later, Orlando took its one and only lead of the night, which they held into the second period of play.
Almost 13 1/2 minutes of the second period elapsed before the Blades gained control with a pair of goals to close out the frame.
Steven Whitney was the first to find the back of the net, tipping in a shot by Corey Trivino. They reclaimed control, winning the following faceoff, and keept the puck in Orlando’s end where Deschamps found the back of the net for the game-winning goal.
“It was good,” said Deschamps, who made his living Friday night parking in front of the net to create chaos and opportunity. “I was able to create some things out front and put the puck in the net.”
With the first game behind them, the Blades look to take a commanding lead Saturday night before the series heads to Orlando next week for as many as three games if necessary.