Solar Bears Claw Past Everblades 5-3

Recap Written by Bryce Wright

ESTERO, FL- Rylan Schwartz scored two goals to lead the Orlando Solar Bears past the Florida Everblades 5-3 at Germain Arena in the opening game of the 2016 calendar year. The Solar Bears pick up their first win of the season against the Everblades.  Despite the loss, Florida still leads the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series eight points to two.

After a December which featured a lengthy amount of time on the road and starting the New Year at home, the Everblades came out and struck first at 10:17 into the opening frame when Ryan Martindale scored his third goal of the season putting back a rebound from a Brant Harris backhanded shot from the slot to take a 1-0 lead.

With five minutes remaining in the opening frame, Matt Rupert riffled a shot from the slot blowing it past Anthony Peters to tie the game up at one heading into the second period.

In the middle frame, the Solar Bears scored two more goals to stretch the lead to 3-1 over the Blades.

The first of those goals came just one minute into the period, Rylan Schwartz scored his first goal of the season when he accepted a Jack Rodewald backhanded pass and snapped a shot high into the net past the glove of Peters.

Five minutes later, Schwartz added another to the board after tipping a shot by Myles Harvey from the blue line putting the Solar Bears up 3-1 heading into the third period.

The Everblades kicked it up a notch just one minute into the third period to cut the lead to one when Mark Nemec blasted in a power play goal on a shot from the point to put the score at 3-2.

Two minutes later, Gabriel Desjardins banked a shot off the back of the legs of Ryan Massa from behind the net to tie the game up at three.

The Solar Bears reclaimed the lead at the seven-minute mark of the third when Max Nicastro riffled a one-timed shot from the blue line that found the back of the net to put the Solar Bears up 4-3. The power play tally was the fifth goal of the season for Nicastro.

With one-minute left in the period, the Everblades pulled Peters from the net to allow for the extra attacker.

However, the ‘Blades were unsuccessful with the extra man on the ice and the Solar Bears capitalized on the empty net when Eric Faille raced past the Everblades defense and put Orlando up 5-3.

Ryan Massa takes home the victory stopping 22 of 25 shots from the Everblades, while Anthony Peters takes the loss allowing four goals on 26 shots.

The Everblades head out on the road tomorrow when they take on the Solar Bears on Saturday (Jan ) in Orlando at the Amway Center. Game time is set at 7:05 p.m.

Upcoming Homes Games

Wednesday, January 13 vs. Brampton Beast, 7:30 p.m. – $2 Drafts, $2 Wines, & $2 Hot Dogs all night long!  College Night! College students receive $5 tickets with free parking when they present their college ID at Germain Arena.

Friday, January 15 vs. Brampton Beast, 7:30 p.m. – "Paint the Ice Night" Fans will have the opportunity to Paint the Ice following the game! ....Kids eat free in Breakaway Sports Pub with purchase on an adult entree!

Saturday, January 16 vs. Brampton Beast, 7:00 p.m. – Watch the 'Blades battle Brampton on the fan painted ice surface!  Beginning at 5:00 p.m. we will have the tailgate party featuring live music along with bounce houses and face painting for the kids!

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.

Partial Season Ticket Packages:  Partial season ticket plans are available 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###