Blades Take 3-0 Series Lead Over Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. –  Matt Wedman snapped a 2-2 tie midway through the third period, propelling the Florida Everblades to a 4-2 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears in Game Three of the South Division Finals Tuesday night at Kia Center. 

Winners of six straight postseason games, the Everblades now lead the best-of-seven series three games to none and need just one more victory to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The chance to close out the series will come Thursday night in Orlando at 7:00 p.m.

The Everblades jumped out to a 1-0 lead after one period, as Zach Uens took a pass from Wedman and buried a blast from outside the left circle at 8:56 for the only goal of the opening frame. Josh Ho-Sang also picked up his first of two assists as the Blades claimed the early lead on Uens’ first goal of the postseason

Both sides would score goals 18 seconds apart late in second period, as the Blades carried a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Todd Skirving scored for the second straight game, connecting from the slot off a feed from Bobo Carpenter that gave Florida a two-goal lead at the 16:58 mark. Mark Senden also picked up a helper for Florida. The two-goal lead would be short-lived, as Orlando’s Mitchell Hoelscher answered for the Solar Bears at 17:16.

Orlando’s Darik Angeli tied the game at 2-2 just 4:30 into the third-period, but the Everblades would respond and close out the contest. 

Following a key turnover by the Solar Bears’ deep in their own end, Ho-Sang fed Wedman right in front of the Orlando goal and Wedman connected for the second time this postseason to give the Blades a 3-2 lead that the good guys would not relinquish. Oliver Chau closed out the scoring, taking a pass from Carpenter and firing the puck in an empty net with 55 seconds left to play, sealing the 4-2 victory.

While the Solar Bears claimed a 35-20 advantage in shots on goal, Cam Johnson stopped 33 of 35 shots to win his seventh game of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

With the Everblades needing just one more victory to close out the series, the teams will meet in Game Four Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in Orlando’s Kia Center.  Should a Game Five be necessary, it would be played in Orlando Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. In the event that the series requires a Game Six or Game Seven, those contests would be played at Hertz Arena on May 14 and 15. Fans may purchase tickets for South Division Finals games that will be played at Hertz Arena at the Fifth Third Bank Box Office at Hertz Arena, online HERE, or by calling the Everblades office at 239-948-PUCK.

Visit floridaeverblades.com for more information on the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and Scanlon Lexus and to purchase tickets for games played at Hertz Arena. 

 

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BLADES BITS

Josh Ho-Sang and Bobo Carpenter both had two assists. Ho-Sang’s ninth helper of the postseason is just one assist off the league lead in the playoffs. It was Ho-Sang’s third two-helper game this postseason – and second in a row – after tallying five two-assist performances in the regular season. For Carpenter, the two-point effort was his second of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Ho-Sang leads the Everblades with five points in the Orlando series, with all points coming by way of the assist. Three Blades are right on Ho-Sang’s heels, as Bobo Carpenter (4A), Matt Wedman (1G, 3A) and Mark Senden (1G, 3A) each have four points through the first three games.

Cam Johnson’s 33-save effort was his top performance of the 2024 postseason in a winning effort. Johnson’s  playoff high this season is 35, which he posted in an overtime loss to Jacksonville in Game Three of the opening round. In the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Johnson leads all ECHL netminders with seven wins and 277 saves, while ranking fourth with a 1.96 GAA and seventh with a .933 save percentage.

Tuesday Night’s Scoresheet 

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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. 

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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! 

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