MacLean Sparks Blades to 2-1 Triumph at Orlando

MacLean Sparks Blades to 2-1 Triumph at Orlando

Orlando, FL – Trailing after the first period for the first time in two weeks, Brandon MacLean scored back-to-back goals in the second to rally the Florida Everblades to a 2-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center Saturday.

The Solar Bears got ahead 8:33 into the first on the power play when Ian Slater notched his second of the weekend, batting a Mike Ullrich rebound out of mid-air and in after Blades forward Carl Nielsen was ejected for kneeing.

Following the goal, the Blades outshot Orlando 4-0 to close the opening frame and carried the momentum into the second as MacLean scored his third of the year, whipping a rebound past the blocker of outstretched Solar Bear goalie Christopher Gibson to even the score just 63 seconds into the middle frame.

MacLean followed that tally up half a period later with his second shorthanded goal of 2013-14, hammering home a Trevor Bruess rebound on a 2-on-1 rush to boost the Everblades to a 2-1 lead with 6:02 left in the second.

Florida’s defense clamped down on Orlando from there, allowing just 12 total shots between the second and third periods—while the Blades’ offense poured 31 shots on net in the last two frames.

A mad scramble in front of Everblades netminder Jesse Deckert in the closing seconds of the game resulted in Orlando’s leading scorer, C.J. Severyn, twisting a wrist shot wide of the net, which allowed a Matthew Pistilli clear and a Rocco Carzo faceoff win to cement the 2-1 road victory for Florida.

Deckert registered 23 stops to improve to 5-0-0-1 while Gibson made 37 stops but suffered his third loss to the Everblades on the young season.

The Blades now return to Germain Arena to open up a three-game homestand, starting with a 7:30pm Wednesday contest against the Atlantic Division’s Elmira Jackals.

It will be the start of the Blades’ “Two Dollar Wednesdays,” with $2.00 hot dogs, Bud drafts and Barefoot Wines throughout the game.

Tickets are now on sale at the Capital Bank Box Office at Germain Arena, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Wednesday’s interdivision tilt will be broadcast locally on FOX Sports Radio 1350 AM and worldwide online on America ONE, the official internet television provider for 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.###