Everblades Slip Past Solar Bears in Shootout

ESTERO, FL – Matt Marquardt scored the game winning goal in the overtime shootout to lead the Florida Everblades to a 6-5 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears at Germain Arena Saturday night.Florida jumped out on top just six minutes into the contest.  Alex Lavoie centered a pass from the behind the net to the top of the crease to Steven Whitney who flipped a shot high over the shoulder of Orlando goaltender Maxime Clermont for the first goal of the game.

The Everblades made it 2-0 when Mitch Wahl centered a pass to a wide open Brant Harris at the top of the crease.  Harris tapped the puck through the five-hole of an unsuspecting Clermont.

Orlando countered late in the first when a wide open Ben Rosen received a cross-ice pass and wristed a shot past Florida goaltender Andy Iles to put the score at 2-1 after the first period play.

Harris netted his second goal of the game at 6:16 of the middle frame on a perfectly set up play.   Newcomer Jesse Graham received a pass at the right wing circle and instantly threw it across to Harris at the far circle. Harris hurled a shot past Clermont to extend the ‘Blades lead to 3-1.

Three minutes later, Denver Manderson made it 3-2 with a wrist shot from the right wing circle.

The teams continued to trade off goals when Jordan Henry scored his second goal in as many nights at 13:01 of the second period to put Florida on top by two.

Orlando tied the game in 19-second span late the second period on goals by Jacob Cepis and Johnny McInnis.

Just before the second period came to a close, Matt Marquardt raced into the zone on the right wing side and snapped a shot from the circle past the blocker of Clermont, to put the Everblades back on top 5-4 after 40 minutes of play.

Orlando tied it at 8:46 of the period on Mike Nicastro’s slapshot from the slot that evened the game at five and sent the game to overtime.

Despite some chances, neither team could seal the game in the extra session, which sent the game to be decided in the shootout.   Marquardt scored in the third round of the shootout, while Orlando failed to put one past Iles which gave Florida the 6-5 victory.

Iles earns the win stopping 30 of 35 shots faced, while Clermont takes the loss allowing five goals on 29 shots, while allowing one goal in the shootout.

The Everblades continue their homestand on Wednesday against the Gwinnett Gladiators.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsWednesday, February 25 vs. Gwinnett, 7:30 p.m. -- $2 drafts, $2 wines, $2 hot dogs all night long in the concourse! It’s also College Night!  College Students can purchase $5 tickets w/ free parking with college I.D.Hearts & Hockey Ticket Packs are still available for just $50!*T-Shirt*Autographed Puck*4-Endzone Ticket Vouchers which can be redeemed for any game this season.

To order, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office at Germain Arena. Hearts & Hockey Packs are also available on game nights at the Everblades information table located in the concourse.

Ticket InformationGame Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Prism 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.