Solar Bears rally to defeat ‘Blades in overtime

ESTERO, Fla. — Four different players scored to help the Florida Everblades earn a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday night at Hertz Arena. Hunter Fejes tallied the last two goals of the game, including the game-winning goal just 58 seconds into overtime, to lift the Solar Bears (4-3-0-0, 8 PTS) out of a 4-2 deficit in the third period. Orlando scored the final three goals of the game as Trevor Olson and Fejes both tallied in the third to knot the game at four. The Solar Bears clawed back within a goal at 4:59 of the final period of regulation. As Orlando entered the ‘Blades end on a seemingly harmless play, Dylan Fitze sent a puck towards the slot to Olson. Olson removed his stick from being tied, and he tipped the puck past Florida goaltender Jeremy Helvig’s blocker side to cut the ‘Blades lead to 4-3. Fejes then beat Helvig on a shorthanded breakaway to draw the game even with 8:56 left in regulation. After being shut out on Friday night in Orlando, the Everblades (2-3-1-0, 5 PTS) bounced back offensively on Saturday and struck for the first goal of the game just 5:22 into the first period. Justin Auger entered the zone and slapped a puck off Orlando goaltender Martin Ouellette’s pads that found its way to the stick of John McCarron. With Ouellette trying to locate the rebound, McCarron promptly put it into the back of the open net for his second goal of the season. The Solar Bears tied the game at one with 4:43 to play in the first period. While at the blue line, Nathan Valleau sent a pass to the right circle for Michael Brodzinski, and he fired it past Helvig’s blocker side.  Orlando then took its first lead 3:54 into the second period with a goal from Fitze. After a miscommunication behind the ‘Blades net, Fitze stole the puck and wrapped it around for the goal. But the ‘Blades answered back in a big way, scoring three straight goals to grab a 4-2 advantage. Zach Nastasiuk tabbed his first goal of the season to start the trio of goals, redirecting Patrick McCarron’s shot from the left point past Ouellette at the 5:10 mark of period two. Auger made it a 3-2 ‘Blades lead by drawing Ouellette out of his crease and tucking the puck past his outstretched body only 2:39 after Nastasiuk had tied it. Tommy Thompson cushioned the lead with his first goal in a ‘Blades uniform, blasting a shot from the slot past Ouellette with 6:55 left in the middle frame.  Helvig surrendered five goals on 33 shots in the loss for the ‘Blades. Ouellette earned the win for Orlando, finishing with 19 saves on 23 shots. Florida heads back on the road next weekend for a two-game series with the Jacksonville Icemen. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:30 p.m., while the puck drops at 7 p.m. in the series finale on Saturday. —Single-game tickets for all regular season games are on sale now!Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are on sale now! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Full Season, Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits! To view the Ticket & Voucher Package options CLICK HERE. Ask about the payment plan options too!SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades T-Shirt!Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes