Solar Bears Hold Off Everblades to Take 2-0 Series Lead

By Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Ryan Massa’s 36 saves helped lift the Orlando Solar Bears to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals Friday night at Germain Arena.  Orlando now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0, with the series shifting to Orlando next week.

BOX SCORE

VIDEO: To watch the game highlights CLICK HERE 

The Solar Bears got out to a quick lead just as they did on Wednesday night, with Ryan Moore scoring off of a rebound off of a wraparound attempt by Eric Faille. A rebound bounced perfectly to Moore’s stick and he was able to beat a sliding Nedeljkovic to give Orlando the 1-0 lead at 3:45 of the opening period.

Goaltender Ryan Massa stymied the Everblades of the remainder of the first period and most of the second.   Matt Berry was able to finally get the Blades on the board with 4:43 left in the second period-- his third goal of the series; on an incredible individual effort.  Berry picked up the puck off the boards and skated to the slot where he dangled through two Solar Bears players before ripping a shot past Massa’s glove for the tally.

Just 33 seconds later, Orlando responded after a defensive breakdown by the Blades that left the entire right side of the ice open for Mason Marchment to hit Eric Baier streaking through the middle of the circle. Baier accepted the pass and snuck a shot past Nedeljkovic on his blocker side for the goal.

The third period would start off with a bang, courtesy of Michael Kirkpatrick. Florida started the third period on the power play, and Kirkpatrick broke in along the right side of Massa and with help from an unintentional screen by an Orlando defender, he was able to snap a shot past Massa’s blocker to tie the game up at two.

The Solar Bears were able to regain the lead off of a defensive zone turnover, and with Jusitin Buzzeo able to come in one on one on Nedeljkovic and tuck it around the pad to make it a 3-2 game at 11:30 of the third.

Ryan Massa came up big for the Solar Bears for the remainder of regulation, putting away every shot fired his way from that point on. Despite a late push by the Blades after pulling Nedeljkovic for the extra attacker they couldn’t get the tying goal past the strong netminder and Orlando would just hang on for a 3-2 victory.

The Solar Bears will take their 2-0 series lead home, and will have the next two and possibly three games at the Amway Center. Game 3 is slated for Thursday (April 20) at 7:00 p.m.

Fans can catch the game on WJBX (101.5 FM, 104.3 FM, 770-AM), or online by CLICKING HERE. Fans may also watch the game online on ECHL.TV 

South Division Semifinal Playoff ScheduleBest-of-Seven Series(Orlando leads 2-0)

Game 1:Wednesday, April 12, Orlando - 4 at Florida - 2 Game 2:  Friday, April 14 vs. Orlando - 3 at Florida - 2  Game 3:  Thursday, April 20 at Orlando, 7:00 p.m. (Amway Center)Game 4:  Saturday, April 22  at  Orlando, 7:00 p.m. (Amway Center)Game 5:  Sunday, April 23 at Orlando, 4:00 p.m. (Amway Center)**Game 6:  Tuesday, April 25 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. (Germain Arena)** Game 7:  Wednesday, April 26 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.  (Germain Arena)****If Necessary

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.comPlayoff Tickets Now on Sale: Playoff game tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online by CLICKING HERE

Discounted Group Tickets:Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you may also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

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