Bad Luck Blades Drop 2-1 Home Decision

Estero, FL – For the second straight night, the Florida Everblades overcame a 1-0 second period deficit but could not overcome bad bounces, falling to the Orlando Solar Bears 2-1 Friday at Germain Arena.

Just as it was Thursday, Orlando got on the board first; this time it was Wade MacLeod who boosted the Solar Bears to a 1-0 edge, grabbing a faceoff won by Blades center Rocco Carzo on the penalty kill and cueing it through the legs of Florida netminder Kristers Gudlevskis with 10 seconds left in the opening frame.

Gudlevskis and his Orlando counterpart, Garret Sparks, took center stage in the second: combining for 15 saves while the Everblades’ penalty kill wiped out over a full minute of 5-on-3 Orlando power play time to keep the score 1-0 through two periods.

As he did the previous night, Florida captain Mathieu Roy tied the game at one—this time 5:48 into the third—grabbing a back-door pass from A.J. Jenks and blasting in a one-timer for his fifth goal of the season.

Bad luck beset the Blades late in regulation when a seemingly harmless centering pass from Orlando forward Tyler Murovich careened off the skates of a backchecking Mike Merrifield and into the Florida net, pushing the Bears ahead 2-1 with 3:42 remaining.

Sparks made the late lead stand up, denying chances in the final minute to Roy and Kellan Tochkin to secure Orlando’s second straight 2-1 win over the Everblades.

Despite 21 saves, Gudlevskis slipped to 4-3-0-0 on the season. Sparks won his second straight start behind 32 stops.

The Blades and Solar Bears will wrap up their three-game set Saturday with a 7:00pm showdown at Germain Arena.

It’s Swampee’s Birthday celebration Saturday at Germain Arena. Fans who bring a birthday card for Swampee to the Capital Bank Box Office between 10:00am and 6:00pm will receive $5.00 off their premium seats.

Saturday’s home rematch will be broadcast locally on 98.1 FM The Island and worldwide online on America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 7:15pm.

2013-14 Season Ticket Package Information

Ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are currently on sale—and going fast!  Full season packages begin at $380, while 10 and 20 game packages start as low as $160. Sign-up for a new season ticket package today, and receive a $20 gift card per seat to Outback Steakhouse!

For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office located at Germain Arena.

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.###