Blades KO Solar Bears 4-1
Matt Willows, Evan Bloodoff, Kevin Lynch and Brant Harris each scored goals Sunday night to lead the Florida Everblades to a 4-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears.
The Blades now lead the Wawa Sunshine Cup series 10-4.
Much like Saturday night, the Solar Bears (12-19) wasted little time taking the early lead, scoring the opening goal only 1:11 into the period. Moving into the attacking zone, Orlando’s Eric Baier sent a stretch pass across to a streaking T.J. Foster. Alone in front of the net, Foster wristed his shot past Everblades’ goaltender Anthony Peters to give Orlando the early lead.
It was not long before the Everblades (23-11) tied the score at the 10:54 mark of the first period. Ryan Martindale fired a shot on goal that was saved, but not covered by Orlando net minder Rob Madore. With the puck loose, Willows got to the puck first and buried the second chance opportunity into the back of the net.
Following a scoreless second period, it was be the Everblades that broke the tie. Just over five minutes into the third period, Bloodoff received the puck in the neutral zone. Turning on the jets, he blew by the defense, moved toward the slot and ripped a shot past Madore for a 2-1 lead.
Still trailing late in the game, Orlando pulled its goaltender in favor of the extra attacker with just over a minute remaining. The risk proved futile as Lynch took advantage of a neutral zone turnover to score an empty net tally with 1:09 remaining in the game.
Orlando again pulled the goaltender with under a minute remaining only to have Harris add to the Blades winning margin.
Peters earns his 11th win of the season, stopping 18 of the 19 shots he faced. Madore takes the loss despite a solid night, allowing two goals on 22 shots.
The Everblades return to ice Thursday night at the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the first of three straight games against their divisional rivals.