Harris Nets Hat Trick to Lead 'Blades to Win at Orlando

ESTERO, FL – Brant Harris netted a hat trick to lift the Florida Everblades to a 6-5 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center Sunday evening.  The Everblades (20-4-0-1, 41 pts) split the weekend set at Orlando.The Everblades grabbed the first goal of the game at the 3:33 mark.  Alex Aleardi wristed a shot from the right wing circle that clipped off the post and in.   The goal was reviewed by the goal judge and the referee but the goal did stand and Florida took a 1-0 lead.

Orlando evened the score when Scott Tanski picked up a centering feed in the slot and snapped a shot past Florida goaltender Allen York.

Just 31 seconds later, the Everblades reclaimed the lead when Brant Harris tipped and redirected an Artem Sergeev shot from the point past Orlando netminder Kent Patterson for the go-ahead goal.

The ‘Blades extended their lead at 12:18 of the period when Mike Aviani slipped a pass across the crease to Jason Wilson. Wilson then flipped the puck into the net behind Patterson to put the score at 3-1.

The Solar Bears pulled within one shortly before the end of the period.  Defenseman Matt Finn one-timed a shot that clipped past a screened York to put the score at 3-2 after 20 minutes of play.

Orlando tied the game early in the second on a goal by Stefan Della Rovere at 5:33 of the period.  The two teams exchanged goals the rest of the way out.

Florida reclaimed the lead two minutes later on the second goal of the game by Harris, who beat Patterson on a wrist shot from the circle.

Just 15 seconds later, Mike Ulrich tied the game at four, when he banked the puck off the outstretched body of York, who dove to make the save.

The ‘Blades grabbed the lead again in the second, when Alex Aleardi netted his second strike of the game.  However, Orlando tied it back up with just eight seconds remaining in the middle frame on a rebound shot from Patrick Watling to put the score at 5-5 after 40 minutes of play.

Both teams traded off chances in a tightly contested third period, until Harris secured the go-ahead marker at the 11:04 mark.  Harris gathered a loose puck low in the slot, and hurled a shot behind Patterson to secure the hat trick and the eventual 6-5 Florida victory.

Allen York earns the win stopping 31 of 36 shots faced, while Patterson takes the loss allowing six goals on 37 shots.

The Everblades continue the road trip on Tuesday at Gwinnett.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsFriday, January 9, 7:30 p.m. vs. Orlando  .Saturday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. vs. Orlando - The Fur Circus will be performing and it's Heroes and Villains Night! Ticket InformationGame Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.comDiscounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

12 & 24 Game Ticket Packages are currently on sale!  All packages save you money from the box office price, and come with many great benefits.  For more information call  239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades Main Office located at Germain Arena, Monday—Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Holiday Ticket Packs are now on sale!  Receive four endzone vouchers for any game during the regular season, an Everblades holiday t-shirt, and an autograph puck for just $50!  Holiday packs will be available at the Everblades information table in the concourse during home games, or at the Everblades main office located a Germain Arena.