ESTERO, FLA – Off the back of a phenomenal team performance on Wednesday night against the Solar Bears, the Everblades couldn’t replicate it on Friday night, and fell to Orlando 4-2 at Hertz Arena.
While the Everblades may not have gotten the win, Oliver Chau and Shane Kuzmeski both potted their first goals of the season. Chau’s tally in the third period was the first shorthanded goal of the Everblades campaign. Tommy Apap, Dennis Cesana, and Nathan Staios picked assists across the night.
Despite leading the shot battle for the first time this year – 33 to 27 – Florida was unable to capitalize on many of its chances. Similarly, Florida didn’t score on any of its seven power plays on Friday night; that makes it just one goal on 25 powerplay opportunities for the season.
The victory was vital for Orlando, which had earned just one win in the first five games of the season and had only scored two goals in its past three games heading into Friday.
Saturday’s game will be the final matchup of a three-game set against the Solar Bears, and the final game against in-Florida teams to start the Everblades season. Florida travels to Greenville next weekend.
Saturday’s matchup will be Military Night at Hertz Arena, presented by the National Coalition for Patriots! Honor our Heroes, enjoy live music before the game, and take part in our military jersey auction on the DASH app!
JOIN THE FUN
The 2023-24 season ticket plans are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2023-24 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits, and options, click HERE.
Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more! The Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of any tickets or money and there’s 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.
Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM on online at http://espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com. Stay up to date by following the Blades on social media with all the latest news, scores, and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers