'Blades Close Preseason with 5-2 Win Over Solar Bears

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Stephen Lorentz scored twice and added an assist as the Everblades wrapped up their preseason with a 5-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears at Germain Arena Sunday evening.

Goaltender Callum Booth came out strong for the Blades in the first period, denying all nine shots fired his way. Booth made his biggest save of the opening period just seven minutes into the game, as he stretched out his glove to get some leather on a cross-crease shot.

Despite pressure from both teams, neither side could find the back of the net in the opening period and the game remained scoreless heading into the intermission.

The 'Blades got on the board early in the second period after a barrage of offensive pressure was put on by Paul Russell (pictured above) in the corner. Russell caused a turnover, and broke in with a backhand shot from the slot that hit off of Hackett in front.  Russell then skated to the rebound and put the second chance into the back of the net for the goal.

Steven Lorentz added to the Blades lead just moments later when Clark Seymour sent a pass from the corner to Lorentz who fired a one-timer on the opposite side of Hackett, and just like that it was 2-0 Florida.

Orlando got their first goal of the game off a tip down low from Todd Skirving off a blast from Kristian Pospisil at the point, making it a 2-1 game halfway through the second.  After two periods of play, the Blades led the Solar Bears 2-1 going into the intermission.

At 4:18 into the third, the Everblades added to their lead with a power play tally from Clark Seymour who lasered a shot from the point that deflected off a Solar Bears’ man in front and snuck in behind Hackett to extend the Blades lead to 3-1.

Less than a minute later, Mike Vaskivuo responded for the Solar Bears when he wired off a blast from the point with that beat a screened Booth to pull the Solar Bears within one.

Lorentz added another power play goal for the Blades with 5:17 left in the third off a beautiful one-timer from the top of the circle which was once again set up by Seymour.

Orlando, tried to claw back into the game by pulling their goalie for the extra attacker.  In the ensuing rush, Booth came up with another highlight reel save, kicking away a shot by extending his pad to the right post to put away the rebound.

Shortly after, Joe Cox added an empty netter from the other end of the ice to put the game out of reach and secure the 5-2 Florida win.   Lorentz, Seymour and Cox each finished with three points.

Booth earned the win stopping 23 of 25 shots faced, while Hackett takes the loss allowing four goals on 31 shots faced.

BOX SCORE

The Everblades will open up their 20th Anniversary Season at home next weekend (Oct. 13 & 14) against the Atlanta Gladiators.  To purchase tickets CLICK HERE 

----2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale! Everblades ticket packages are now on sale for the 20th season of Everblades Hockey. We offer full season and flexible partial plans that will best fit your schedule and budget! To view pricing and benefits of all available tickets packages CLICK HERE

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For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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

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