ESTERO, Fla. – Kyle Penney brought thousands of stuffed animals on the ice for the Florida Everblades. The Swamp hosted a 7,544 crowd for the annual Teddy Bear Toss against the Orlando Solar Bears at Hertz Arena.
Penney’s first-period teddy bear toss goal was sparked by Oliver Cooper and Logan Will. Quickly, Orlando evened the score with a power play goal from Milo Roelens, assisted by Jack Adams and Spencer Kersten.
In the second frame, the Solar Bears were awarded a penalty shot. Tyler Drevitch took the penalty shot but saw no goal as he rang the puck off the post. At the 14:34 mark, Ben Brar completed the rebound from Gianfranco Cassaro, which gave the Blades the lead once again.
For the second time in the night, the Solar Bears’ Kersten capitalized on the power play to find the equalizer early in the third. This made the score 2-2 at the end of regulation.
Only 30 seconds into overtime, and ECHL player of the week Hudson Elynuik forced a breakaway in the neutral zone. Elynuik scored a backhanded goal to take the win for the Blades and cap off Teddy Bear Toss night at the Swamp.
The Florida Everblades will be back at Hertz Arena tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for the second game in a two-game series against the Orlando Solar Bears.
BLADES BITS
- Named ECHL player of the week, Hudson Elynuik extends to an eight-game point streak, amassing 15 points.
- Cam Johnson had a season-high record of 30 saves tonight.
- The Florida Everblades had not seen a penalty shot yet this season until tonights.
Friday’s Gamesheet
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