Blades Polarized by Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades (36-18-2-2) were bested by the Orlando Solar Bears (31-22-5-1) with a 8-3 loss on Friday night at Amway Center. Friday’s loss marked the most goals allowed and largest margin of defeat of the season for the Blades. 

FIRST STAR: Aaron Luchuk (ORL) - two goals, one assist, +4

SECOND STAR: Tristin Langan (ORL) - one goal, three assists, +4

THIRD STAR: Kevin Lohan(ORL) - one assist, +4

BOX SCORE

The Solar Bears didn’t wait long to get on the board when forward Jerry D’Amigo stuffed the puck past an outstretched Cody Sol (2:21). Later in the first, Orlando forward Tyler Bird snapped a wrister to the net which snuck past netminder Devin Cooley to put the Bears up 2-0 (16:10). Just 43 seconds later, Tristin Langan backhanded a rebound into the net for the Bears to build their lead to 3-0 (16:53). 

Everblades rookie forward Cole Sanford brought it to a two-goal game early in the second period when he fired a wrister past goaltender Clint Windsor (00:44). Only 30 seconds later, Anthony Repaci tipped in a pass from Kevin Lohan to bring the Bears lead back to three (1:14). With the Solar Bears on the penalty kill, Aaron Luchuk ripped a shot past Cooley to give Orlando a 5-1 lead (3:18). 

After Luchuk’s goal, Jake Hildebrand replaced Devin Cooley in net for the Blades. Only a few minutes later, Chris LeBlanc broke in the replacement with a nifty backhander to open the lead to five goals (5:59). 

The third period was another filled with action. Just over five minutes in, Mark Auk became the seventh different goal scorer for Orlando when he fired a quick one-timer that found twine (5:15). Two minutes later, Florida captain John McCarron added to his league-leading goal tally when he finished a backhander that trickled past Windsor (7:16). McCarron now has recorded 27 goals on the season. 

Midway through the third, Luchuk secured his second goal of the evening with a quick shot past Hildebrand (10:18). A few minutes later, Myles Powell got on the board for Florida after receiving a Joe Pendenza pass (13:57) to bring the score to 8-3. 

The two clubs will dance again tomorrow night on Saturday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Amway Center. The Blades close out the week on Sunday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m. against the Jacksonville Icemen at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The next home game for the Everblades comes on Friday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. against the Jacksonville Icemen. Since the Everblades family did not have the opportunity to celebrate Swampee’s Birthday, the Everblades will be celebrating Swampee’s half-birthday on Friday, May 21. Come out to celebrate your favorite gator and watch the Everblades take on Jacksonville at Hertz Arena. Friday, May 21 is also another 239 Friday! Enjoy 2 Premium Tickets, 2 cotton candy bowls of ice cream AND 2 autographed programs for only $39! Find tickets for the game on May 21 HERE.

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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 2021-22 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage along with an Everblades tote bag! Check out next season’s home dates by visiting the 2021-22 Everblades Schedule. To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

2021 Kelly Cup Playoff Packages are now on sale. To view the Kelly Cup Playoff Package 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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Watch every Florida Everblades game on the new home for ECHL hockey at FloHockey.TV.

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 at 993espn.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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