Promotion
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Everblades Welcome Solar Bears Again in Saturday Night Preseason Action

Everblades Welcome Solar Bears Again in Saturday Night Preseason Action

Saturday, October 16th
Everblades Welcome Solar Bears Again in Saturday Night Preseason Action

WHO: Florida Everblades vs. Orlando Solar BearsWHERE: Hertz Arena – Estero, Fla.WHEN: Saturday, October 16 at 7:00 pmPRESEASON ROSTER: Check out the most current Everblades preseason roster HERE.TICKETS:  Find tickets for Saturday’s game HERE.

ESTERO, Fla. – For the second straight night, the Florida Everblades and in-state rival Orlando Solar Bears will meet in a preseason contest at Hertz Arena. The Saturday evening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm and will be the final tuneup for both teams before the squads open regular-season play on Saturday, October 23. 

LAST NIGHT:  Blake Winiecki banged home a pass from Zach Remers to snap a 1-1 tie early in the third period and Austin McIlmurray scored two goals to lift the Florida Everblades to a 4-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears in preseason ECHL action Friday night at Hertz Arena. 

Both teams lit the lamp in the opening period. Orlando’s Joe Garreffa struck first, finding the net at the 6:32 mark to take a 1-0 lead, but the Solar Bears’ early advantage would be short-lived. McIlmurray’s first goal of the evening off a  feed from Jake Kearley at 13:42 knotted the score at 1-1 heading into the first intermission. Neither team struck in the second period.

Following the Winiecki game winner, the Everblades would add a pair of insurance goals two minutes apart midway through the final stanza.  Xavier Bouchard extended the Florida lead to 3-1 at the 8:59 mark off assists by Jordan Sambrook and John McCarron.

McIlmurray’s second goal came at the 11:01 mark, thanks to assists by Levko Koper and Zach Wilkie. Everblades goaltender Tomas Vomacka registered 27 saves for the victors. The Blades outshot Orlando 31-28 and also claimed a 27-25 edge in penalty minutes.THE SERIES: The longtime Sunshine State rivals met 27 times during the 2020-21 season and the Everblades came away with a 17-8-1-1 advantage. In the all-time ECHL series, Florida has an impressive 86-33-10 edge. 

LOOKING BACK ON 2020-21: Last season, the Everblades turned in a 42-19-5 record en route to a first-place finish in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference before advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  Orlando posted a 36-29-6 record and finished fifth in the conference.  With a fifth-place finish, the Solar Bears did not qualify for the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.

THE RALPH REPORT: Florida is guided by sixth-year head coach and director of hockey operations Brad Ralph. In five seasons leading the Everblades, Ralph has compiled a 234-82-28 (.721) record. Over 11 seasons as a professional head coach, Ralph has piloted his teams to a 366-146-47 (.673) record. 

NEXT STOP… REGULAR SEASON OPENER: The Everblades open the 2021-22 regular season against the Jacksonville Icemen on Saturday, October 23 at Hertz Arena.  Game time is 7:00 pm.  Every Saturday home matchup this season will kick off with a free pregame tailgate party from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. featuring live music, kids’ activities, and food and drinks for all ages! Find the full schedule of Saturday tailgate party performers HERE! Secure your game tickets by visiting HERE!

--

JOIN THE FUN

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 Voucher 12 package that allows you to use 12 tickets in any quantity during the 2021-22 season to earn the exclusive benefits of being a Blades 365 Member! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Opening Night on October 23 against the Jacksonville Icemen and the 2021-22 season is fast approaching. Secure your ticket packages today!

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.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Stay up to date by following the Florida Everblades on Social Media with all the latest news, scores and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, and Twitter.

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

###

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Orlando Solar Bears
Florida Everblades
Friday, October 11th
Orlando Solar Bears @ Florida Everblades
Puck Drops:
7:30 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena
Orlando Solar Bears
Florida Everblades
Saturday, October 12th
Orlando Solar Bears @ Florida Everblades
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena
Opening Night
Friday, October 25th
Opening Night
Puck Drops:
7:30 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena

Latest News

More News
Florida Everblades Announce New Broadcast Partnerships for 2024-25 Season
Florida Everblades Announce New Broadcast Partnerships for 2024-25 Season
Blades Blueprint: Alex Kile
Blades Blueprint: Alex Kile
Blades Blueprint: Ben Brar
Blades Blueprint: Ben Brar

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!