ESTERO, Fl - The Everblades started their 2026-27 campaign in style on Thursday night with a dominant 7-0 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears. While it is just the preseason, the Everblades effort on the ice was nothing short of impressive.

The Blades wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Devon Paliani struck from right in front of the net just 24 seconds into the first period. Jake Horbach then tallied on the power play 13 minutes in to extend the lead to 2 before Mark Estapa capped off a high flying first period with a goal of his own at 16:38.

The second period brought more of the same, while the Everblades only scored one goal thanks to Isaac Nurse, they continued to dominate play and create turnovers in the offensive and neutral zones. Florida’s relentless effort tonight was quite noticeable.

In the third period the Everblades got back to their scoring ways adding three more courtesy of Isaac Nurse again, Tyson Dyck and Broten Sabo. Orlando struggled to move the puck cleanly out of their own zone and couldn’t get anything past the Everblades’ netminders.

Roddy Ross started the game in net making 6 saves on 6 shots before Tyriq Outen took over at the halfway point going a perfect 11 for 11 himself. Some new faces made their way onto the score sheet. Brent Johnson had three assists, Daniel Laatsch had two and Jack Horbach finished the night with three points.

Despite it being preseason, there was no love lost between these two teams as a fight broke out between Ben Brar and Tyler Bird with just less than 3 and a half minutes to go in the game, bringing the crowd to their feet.

Expecting a flawless effort in the preseason is unrealistic but Florida looked in control all night long and will look to carry that momentum into the preseason finale tomorrow night against the Orlando Solar Bears once again.

Thursday’s Gamesheet

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