ESTERO, Fla- Ryan Cruthers’ goal at 3:37 into overtime gave the Orlando Solar Bears a 2-1 victory over the Florida Everblades Saturday night at Germain Arena.
The first period began with both offenses being held in check, until Florida got a breakthrough 18-minutes into the period. A shot from the point from Ryan O’Byrne was deflected off the pad of Orlando goaltender John Curry. David Rutherford forced his way through traffic to pick up the rebound and scored on a wrist shot. The goal gave the Everblades a one goal lead going into the second period.
It took until the halfway point in the second period before Orlando was able to tie the game at one. A shot from neutral ice was mishandled in front of the Florida net. After a scramble in front, the puck was picked up by Mathew Sisca, who shoved the puck behind Florida goaltender Rob Madore for the goal to tie the game at 1-1 after two periods.
Both teams skated to stalemate in the third period sending the game to overtime. Orlando took the game at 3:37 of the extra session when Ryan Cruthers received a pass in the high slot, and fired off a shot that slid underneath the pad of Madore to lift the Solar Bears to a 2-1 victory.
Ryan Madore takes loss in his Everblades debut, allowing two goals on 27 shots, while John Curry earns the win stopping 27 of 28 shots faced.
Both teams will take a few days off for the holidays, and rekindle their rivalry on Thursday, December 27 at the Amway Center in Orlando. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM), or online at www.floridaeverblades.com.
Florida returns home to battle the Toledo Walleye on January 9, 11, 12, at Germain Arena.
Ticket Information: The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com
Partial-season packages are still available, and start as low as $150 and offer a flexible option for fans. These packages make for great holiday gifts for the hockey fan in your life! For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825.
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