Superb Second Period Lifts 'Blades to Fourth Straight Win

Recap Written by Robert Molnar

ORLANDO, FL – Corey Cowick scored the game winner while Matt Marquardt, Logan Roe and Matt Willows also scored to lead the Florida Everblades (22-9-0-0, 44 pts) to a 4-3 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears (10-12-2-3, 25 pts) at the Amway Center Sunday night.

The Solar Bears opened the scoring, netting a shorthanded tally just over three and a half minutes into the game. Getting the puck in the Everblades’ zone, TJ Foster gained control of the puck. Turning away from a pressuring Logan Roe, Foster would find Johnny McInnis alone in the slot where the former ‘Blade buried his shot past Anthony Peters.

Orlando continued to pressure the Everblades, eventually adding to their lead at 14:43 of the first period. Once again getting the puck to the slot, Lindsay Sparks fired a shot that would ricochet off the post, and into the net off the skate of Anthony Peters.

Under two-minutes later, it would be the Everblades’ turn to score their first of the night. Getting an odd man rush, Corey Cowick found Matt Willows streaking into the attacking zone. A quick wrist shot from Willows would beat Orlando goaltender Rob Madore to cut the Solar Bears lead in half.

Continuing to up the pressure on the Solar Bears, the Everblades tied the game late in the second period. Bringing the puck up the ice, Brendan O’Donnell advanced the puck into the attacking zone. Spotting Logan Roe advancing, forward O’Donnell slid the puck across to the slot where Roe, a Fort Myers native, buried his shot into the back of the net for his first career goal.

Just three minutes after tying the game, the Everblades would take the lead at the 17:45 mark of the middle frame. Dancing around the crease, a patient Justin Agosta waited for his moment. Spotting an open Matt Marquardt at the front door, Agosta shoveled a pass to the Captain who in turn tipped the puck past Rob Madore.

The Everblades were not done there. With less than 30-second remaining in the second period, Corey Cowick became the beneficiary of some great team passing by the ‘Blades. Receiving the puck, Cowick fired a shot into the back of the net to give the Everblades’ a 4-2 lead.

However, prior to the end of the period, the Solar Bears would get a goal back, netting their third goal of the night with only 1.8 second remaining in the second period. Simply getting the puck into the Florida zone, Lindsay Sparks used some nifty stick work to beat Anthony Peters for his second goal of the night.

Up 4-3 entering the third period, the ‘Blades caught a massive break as an Orlando goal would be waved off by referee Zak Blazic for obstruction on Anthony Peters. Even with an increased attacking presence, the waved off goal would be the closest the Solar Bears would come to tying the game.

Anthony Peters gets the win in net for the Everblades, stopping 27 of the 30 shots he faced. Former ‘Blades goaltender Rob Madore takes the loss for Orlando, allowing four goals on 32 shots.

The Florida Everblades kick off the New Year on Friday January 1st, when they return to Germain Arena to take on the Orlando Solar Bears in the fifth game of the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can purchase tickets at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Fans can also catch the game broadcast on 770 AM or online by CLICKING HERE

Upcoming Home Games

December 28 & 29, 2015 Florida College Hockey Classic at Germain Arena! The 2015 Florida College Hockey Classic is just around the corner! This year’s participating teams include Cornell University, Boston College, Ohio State, and the defending national champion Providence College.  Cornell will play Providence College on Monday (Dec. 28) at 4:00 p.m. while Boston College and Ohio State square off at 7:30 p.m. The winners and losers will matchup on Tuesday (Dec. 29).

Friday, January 1 vs. Orlando Solar Bears, 7:30 p.m. Start 2016 with Everblades hockey! Kids eat free in Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted 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.

Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages: We off full and partial season ticket plans that will save your money and fit your budget and schedule. . For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team's main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###