HOT START ENDS IN 3-2 DEFEAT TO SOLAR BEARS

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades came out hot in the first period, claiming a two-goal lead, but let the flame burn out after three consecutive goals from the Orlando Solar Bears sealed the deal in a 3-2 defeat. 

The Blades started strong after Carson Gicewicz forced a Solar Bears turnover and connected with Logan Lambdin to set the tone with a wrist shot that would count as both his second time opening the scoring and his third goal in two consecutive games.  

Maintaining momentum and wasting no time, Gicewicz found himself on the right side of the ice once again, but this time in the crease to redirect a Colton Hargrove one-timer and ultimately see past Solar Bears goaltender Alexis Gravel to extend the lead. Ending the first period leading 2-0, Gicewicz registered two points to pioneer the Blades’ offensive power. 

The Solar Bears flipped the script just 39 seconds into the second period with the dominance shifting sides as they found the back of the Blades’ net to bring them within one goal of a knotted score. 

After 16 minutes of back-and-forth shot attempts, Orlando’s Anthony Bardaro was able to break through in the final minutes of the middle frame – bringing the scoreboard to a level 2-2 and heading into the second intermission with momentum on their side. 

The ending period saw no goals until the 15:24 mark when Solar Bears Aaron Luchuk capitalized off traffic in front of the net to sneak the contest decider past Blades goaltender Will Cranley’s left pad, securing the 3-2 win.  

Cranley faced 28 total shots and turned away 25, falling short to Gravel who faced 23, making 21 saves in his fifth win of the year. 

The two teams will faceoff once again to finish off their two-game series this Friday, December 13, for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop at Orlando’s Kia Center before a single-standing matchup against the Jacksonville Icemen this Saturday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m.

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