Blades split preseason pair
Brenden Miller’s overtime goal at 4:28 in overtime sealed a 3-2 victory for the Orlando Solar Bears over the Florida Everblades in the final preseason game at Germain arena Saturday night.
The Everblades scored the first goal of the game at 9:08 in the first period when Brant Harris sniped one in over the left shoulder of Orlando goalie Ryan Massa on the breakaway. Harris, who was assisted by Brendan O’Donnell and Matt Stanisz, broke away from the Orlando defense to score his first goal of the preseason.
The Solar Bears came right back and tied the game 1-1 on a power play goal by Scott Tanski with 6:43 in the second period. Tanksi’s goal on Everblades goaltender Anthony Peters was the first power play goal given up by the Everblades this preseason.
Orlando followed that score up with a shot by Ludwig Karlsson with 29.7 seconds left in the second period to put the Solar Bears up 2-1.
The Everblades tied the game 2-2 with 18:36 in the third period when O’Donnell knocked in a rebound off a Stanisz shot. O’Donnell hammered the puck in the slot of that ripped past Massa for the goal.
Both teams failed to get the go-ahead goal at the end of regulation as the teams forced another 3-on-3 overtime in the preseason.
Both teams played well creating multiple scoring opportunities throughout the game. Brenden Miller got the best of Peters as he jabbed at the puck at the top of the crease that skipped over the shoulder of Peters for the game-winner.
Massa earned the win in net stopping 28 of 30 shots, while Peters took the loss allowing three goals on 36 shots. Harris finished the game with a goal and an assist.
The Everblades open the regular season next Friday against the Atlanta Gladiators.