Game Recap: Solar Bears Denied Weekend Sweep in 4-1 Loss to Everblades

January 3, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (12-14-2-3), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, fell to the Florida Everblades (23-11-0-0) by a 4-1 score in front of a crowd of 5,573 on Sunday night at the Amway Center.

T.J. Foster opened the scoring in the first period when he received a long pass from Eric Baier and drove the net before snapping a low shot past the glove of Anthony Peters at 1:11 to give the Solar Bears 1-0 lead. The assist to Baier was the defenseman’s 100th career professional point.

Matt Willows tied the score for Florida at 10:54 when he knocked home a Ryan Martindale rebound behind Rob Madore.

Both teams played through a scoreless second period.

The Everblades gained their first lead of the night in the third period when Evan Bloodoff streaked down the right side and beat Madore from between the hash marks at 5:16.

Orlando attempted to even the score by pulling Madore late in the frame, but Florida sealed the game with a pair of empty-net tallies from Kevin Lynch at 18:51 and Brant Harris at 19:45.

Madore took the loss with 21 saves on 23 shots against; Peters earned the victory with 18 stops on 19 shots against.

NOTES:

• Orlando is now 2-5-0-0 against Florida in Wawa Sunshine Cup Series competition.
• The Solar Bears now hit the road for a season-high seven-game road trip, starting with a match against the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7:15 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope.