Orlando, FL – Facing a 2-1 deficit through 40 minutes, the Florida Everblades got running goals in the third period from John Henrion and Jordan Henry to wrest a 3-2 victory away from the archrival Orlando Solar Bears Saturday at the Amway Center.

With Orlando posted to a one-goal lead after two, the Blades’ offense went to work right away in the third as Henrion grabbed a turnover created by Mathieu Roy and wired a rising shot that careened off Orlando goalie Christopher Gibson’s glove and in, tying the game just 3:02 into the final frame.

Henry followed up with 11:26 left in regulation, grabbing his own rebound on a pinch in from the point and pounding it home in traffic to boost the Blades to a 3-2 advantage.

Florida goalie Trevor Cann made the lead stand up, denying Orlando’s Ian Slater on a late breakaway to preserve his sixth win of 2013-14 on 27 saves.

The Blades opened the scoring Saturday 8:20 into the game as Roy picked up his 12th of the year, redirecting a low liner from Kellan Tochkin inside the right post to lift Florida to a 1-0 lead.

Orlando battled back exactly 90 seconds later when newcomer Taylor Matson got free behind the Blades’ defense and perfectly placed a shot between Cann’s blocker, right leg pad and the left post to even the score at one.

Defenseman Connor Goggin gave the Solar Bears their only lead of the night with 14:51 to go in the second, ripping a slap shot through traffic that beat Cann glove side for a 2-1 Orlando advantage that set the stage for Florida’s third-period dramatics.

Gibson took the loss, making 28 stops in defeat.

Special teams made the difference in the tight affair: Florida’s power play went 1-for-5 while the penalty kill negated all seven Solar Bear man advantages—including four in the third period.

The two sides will reconvene to close out the 2013 calendar year on Monday with a 7:00pm rematch at the Amway Center.

Monday’s series finale will be broadcast live online at FloridaEverblades.com and on the Everblades’ app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with a video webcast available through America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 6:45pm.

Beat the Box Office!

Don’t want to pay the box office rate for Everblades tickets? You don’t have to! Save up to $7.00 per ticket with great 10 and 20-game flex plans and group rates for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign. Lock in your flex plan or group seats now for the Blades’ next home game on January 10.

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.

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