Orlando's Buzzer Beater in Overtime Beats 'Blades 4-3

ORLANDO, FL -- Patrick Watling scored the game winning goal at 4:59 of overtime to lead the Orlando Solar Bears (33-28-4-5, 75 pts) to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Florida Everblades (44-23-1-2, 91 pts) Thursday night at the Amway Center.

Taking the early lead, the Orlando Solar Bears took advantage of a quick transition into the attacking zone to take the 1-0 lead. Breaking down the right wing side, Jack Rodewald moved into the circle. Cruising towards the net, Rodewald fired a soft wrister towards the net that managed to beat Everblades goaltender Anthony Peters.

Doubling their lead, Orlando added another goal just over three minutes after their previous strike. Getting to the front door, Brett Findlay's shot took a very strange bounce along the ice. While Anthony Peters looked to have the goal covered, the puck somehow hopped over his outstretched body and into the net.

Gaining back some momentum the Everblades took advantage of a power play opportunity midway through the second period to cut the Solar Bears' lead in half. Though Orlando goaltender Rob Madore stopped the initial shot, the puck trickled across the crease. Getting to the puck first, Brendan O'Donnell got just enough on the puck to tip it across the goal line.

Under a minute after O'Donnell's goal, the 'Blades tied the game off another rebound in front of the Orlando goal. An initial shot from Gabriel Desjardins on the left wing side took a deflection off the pads of Rob Madore and headed towards the right side of the crease. Picking up the puck, Greg Gibson fired his quick shot high into the net to tie the game.

Taking their first lead of the game, the 'Blades completed their quuck trifecta of goals off of another rebound. An initial shot from Kevin Lynch high in the zone was stopped by Rob Madore. However, the rebound would once again fall to the stick of Brendan O'Donnell whose quick shot buried the puck past Madore and into the net. The goal was the third scored by the Everblades in 1:52 span.

Entering the third period, the Solar Bears' began to mount a comeback. Midway through the final frame, Orlando finally got their game tying goal. Getting the puck at the right wing circle T.J. Foster fired the puck towards the net. Getting his stick too the puck first, Erik Bradford tipped the puck through the five hole of Anthony Peters.

With the game tied, both teams attempted to find the potential game-winning goal. However, some good saves from both Peters and Madore kept the game tied resulting in the two rivals heading to a five minute, sudden death overtime period.

Moving into the 'Blades zone, Orlando's Patrick Watling picked up the rebound in front of the net and managed to get his shot past Anthony Peters and across the line just before the buzzer to earn a 4-3 win for the Solar Bears.

Rob Madore was solid in goal for the Solar Bears, earning the win in goal after stopping 38 of the 41–shots he faced. Anthony Peters was also solid in goal but takes the loss for the Everblades after allowing four goals on 34-shots.

The Florida Everblades begin Fan Appreciation weekend as they end the regular season this Friday night at Germain Arena when they take on in-state rivals Orlando Solar Bears. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.Promotional details listed below.

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

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, April 8 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend begins!  Everyone will receive a FREE Everblades team photo courtesy of FGCU & Direct Impressions....The first 200 fans will receive a FREE ticket to Naples Zoo! There will be prizes and giveaways all night long! Following the game there will be an auction of hockey portraits painted by Evebrlades players which will benefit the For the Kids Foundation.  Saturday, April 9 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend continues! The first 5,000 fans will receive a FREE rally card!  Fans will receive a Wawa food voucher as they exit the arena...The Everblades team awards ceremony will take place prior to the game  More prizes and giveaways handed out to fans throughout the night!  The white jerseys the team wore this season will be auctioned off following the game.  

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.

2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available:  Full  and flexible partial season ticket plans are  currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help 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###