ORLANDO, Fla. -  The Florida Everblades (21-7-0-2) were handed their second loss in as many nights to the Orlando Solar Bears (15-10-3-0) by a margin of 5-2.

FIRST STAR: Aaron Luchuk (ORL) - two goals, one assist

SECOND STAR: Michael Lackey (ORL) - 37 saves on 39 shots faced

THIRD STAR: Tristan Langan (ORL) - one goal, three shots

BOX SCORE

The Everblades came out of the gate firing with a lone effort goal by forward Joe Pendenza, tallying his eighth goal of the season for Florida (2:09). At the midway point of the first period, Everblades forward Blake Winiecki received a tripping penalty. Soon after Winiecki went to the sin bin, the Solar Bears were able to capitalize on the power play and tie the game 1-1 on a goal by Aaron Luchuk, assisted by Mark Auk and Chris LeBlanc (11:08). 

The Solar Bears continued to have a strong offensive presence by scoring two more goals in the second period of play. Orlando took the lead with Luchuk’s second goal of the match, assisted by second-year forward Zack Andrusiak (3:32). The insurance goal came from Orlando forward Tristan Langan and was assisted by Luchuk, with his third point of the night (5:57). 

Entering the third period, the Everblades began to show signs of life by scoring their first goal since the first period. Winiecki brought Florida back to within one, when he sniped a shot to the top left corner (14:35).

In the end, Florida was unable to overcome its deficit. The Solar Bears sealed the game with two empty-net goals by LeBlanc (18:29) and Anthony Repaci (19:03). 

The Everblades will look to bounce back as they hit the road to face off against the Orlando Solar Bears on Sunday, March 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Amway Center. The Everblades return to Hertz Arena for their next home game on Wednesday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. against the South Carolina Stingrays (12-9-6-2). Enjoy Hump Day Deals! $3 Bud Light Drafts, $3 Barefoot Wine, $3 John Morrell Hot Dogs, plus $4 New Amsterdam Vodka and Pink Whitney Vodka! Calling all College Students – Show your College ID at the Hertz Arena Box Office and receive $5 tickets at every Blades Wednesday Night home game! Find tickets for the game on Mar. 10HERE.

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Become a member of the Florida Everblades family by securing a great seat location and big savings with a Blades 365 Membership!

Purchase a new Ticket Package or Flexible Voucher Package for the Blades 2020-21 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage along with an Everblades tote bag! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Discounted Group Packages are also available for Groups of 10 or more! To reserve your group for an upcoming home game, call or text the Everblades Front Office at (239) 948-7825.

Make it a Suite Night with the Everblades! A Luxury Suite and Party Suite are available at a limited number of Everblades home games this season. For the latest availability on Suites, call or text the Everblades Front Office at (239) 948-7825.

Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

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Listen to the exciting game action on WJBX News, Talk & More on 104.3 FM, 101.5 FM and AM 770, plus online at wjbxnewstalk.com. In addition, some Blades Broadcasts can be heard on 99.3 ESPN or online at993espn.com.

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

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