EVERBLADES LOOK TO CLOSE OUT SOLAR BEARS

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades were unable to complete a four-game sweep of the Orlando Solar Bears in Central Florida on Thursday, but the Blades will have another chance to end the best-of-seven series on enemy ice Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Despite the 4-2 setback in Game Four, Florida carries a 3-1 series lead into Game Five, the last of three divisional final games hosted by the Solar Bears at Orlando’s Kia Center in the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Germain Lexus and Scanlon Lexus.

In Game Four, Orlando scored the opening goal for the first time in the series and played with its first lead in four contests against the Everblades. Former Everblade Darik Angeli scored two goals to lead the way for the victorious Solar Bears.

The host Bears struck first on an own goal that was credited to Orlando’s Marc-Andre Gaudet before Angeli potted his first tally to spot the bad guys a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. Matt Wedman and Logan Lambin scored goals in the second and third periods, respectively, that brought the Everblades within one goal on two separate occasions, but Angeli’s empty-net goal in the final minute sealed the Orlando victory.

Entering Saturday night’s Game Five, the Everblades will look to resume the team’s winning ways, as the squad had won six straight games since rallying from a 3-1 series deficit against Jacksonville in the South Division Semifinals. Florida, which had won four straight games on the road, is 4-2 in games away from Hertz Arena this postseason. Orlando is 3-2 in the Kia Center.

Oliver Chau and Josh Ho-Sang have been the hottest skaters for the Everblades in the series, are they are the only Blades to register points in all four games of the series. Chau scored goals in Games Two and Three, while earning helpers in Games One, Three and Four. Ho-Sang posted single assists in Games One and Four, while notching a pair of assists in both Games Two and Three.

Cam Johnson, who saw his six-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday, enters with back-to-pack 30-plus save performances and is 3-1 with a 2.26 GAA in the series. In 11 playoff games, Johnson is 7-3-1 with a 2.06 GAA,

Should the Everblades not close out the series on Saturday, action would shift back to Hertz Arena for Game Six, Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. A potential Game Seven would be played in Estero on Wednesday, also at 7:30 p.m. Fans may purchase tickets for games that will be played at Hertz Arena may be purchased 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

A wide-open Game Four saw the team combine for 73 shots on goal, the highest total in the series. The Everblades put a series-high 39 shots on net, nearly doubling the 20 shots the team took in Game Three. Florida won the shot battle in each of the three periods on Thursday.

Thanks to 102 combined penalty minutes due to extracurriculars leading to five misconduct calls against each team with seven seconds left to play in Game Four, the teams combined for 114 minutes on 17 penalties in the contest. In Tuesday’s Game Three, the Everblades were whistled for just two minor penalties, while the Solar Bears were penalty free.

After both sides went 2-for-7 on the power play in Game Two, neither side has capitalized on the man advantage. In Game Three, the Everblades did not have a single power play opportunity, while Orlando went 0-for-2. Game Four saw both teams come up empty on two attempts. In the series, Florida is 3-for-15, while Orlando is 2-for-14 on the power play. Sean Josling has two of the three power-play goals, while Joe Pendenza has the other.

With its Game Four win, Orlando avoided its first-ever playoff series sweep, but stands 3-5 in all-time series in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Solar Bears have never won back-to-back playoff series. Florida has won nine straight playoff series and stands 34-20 in all-time postseason series.
 

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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. 

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! 

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