Blades Dominate in Game One Win

ESTERO, Fla. – Meeting for the first time in postseason play since 2019, the Florida Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears took to the ice at Hertz Arena for a shot at the division title. In Game One of the South Division Finals the Everblades dominated, and took a 5-1 win. 

The Everblades wasted no time getting on the board, as Cole Moberg sniped home a blueline wrister to make it 1-0 just 16 seconds into the game. Oliver Chau and Jesse Lansdell provided the helpers on Moberg’s third goal of the playoffs. In the entire opening round against Jacksonville, the Everblades only scored one first-period goal. But Florida wasn’t done; five minutes later, Will Reilly tallied another bomb for a goal to make the score 2-0. Moberg has now found the back of the net in three straight games while Reilly has scored in back-to-back contests. The Solar Bears would get one back just over the midway point of the period to make the score 2-1 into the first intermission. 

The second period has belonged to the Blades for the past four games. In the final three wins of the first round, Florida outscored Jacksonville 9-1 in the middle frame. The momentum continued into round two, as the Everblades extended their advantage by two. First, it was Cam Darcy electrifying the home crowd, firing a pass from Bobo Carpenter into the back of the net.  Moments later, Mark Senden made the lead 4-1 with his second playoff marker. That makes 11 second-period goals for the Everblades in the past four games. 

Protecting a three-goal lead entering the final 20 minutes, the Blades controlled the pace of play. A little over two minutes into the frame, Orlando’s Jimmy Mazza was booked for holding, giving the Blades a power play opportunity. Taking a shot at the top of the left circle, Sean Josling made the man advantage count for Florida, extending the home side lead, 5-1. The goal was the very first power-play goal of the Everblades postseason, having been completely shutout on against the Icemen. In all, the Blades went 1-6 on the power play on Friday night, en route to the 5-1 final. 

Everblades netminder Cam Johnson once again stood on his head in the most clutch moments. The Michigander stopped 23 of 24 shots seen. In his past four games, Johnson has only allowed three goals. Across from him, Evan Fitzpatrick made 29 saves on 34 shots.

Florida’s win streak is now up to four games dating back to Game Five of the first round. The Blades will look to continue that streak in Game Two of the South Division Finals on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. inside Hertz Arena. 

BLADES BITS

• Cole Moberg (3), Will Reilly (2), Cam Darcy (2) and Sean Josling (2) are all on goal streaks with markers on Friday. 
• Josh Ho-Sang extends his point streak to three games with an assist tonight. 
• The Blades have outscored opponents 16-3 in their past four games (all wins)

JOIN THE FUN 

Tickets for home games in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and  Scanlon Lexus are available now, as are 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff Packages, which include games in all four rounds. To learn more, please click HERE.

Season ticket plans for the 2024-25 campaign are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2024-25 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! Everblades put 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. 

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, or online at 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.