Game Recap: Solar Bears Drop Final Game of Season to Everblades, 5-1

April 9, 2016

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (33-30-4-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, concluded their 2015-16 season with a 5-1 loss to the Florida Everblades (46-23-1-2) in front of 6,958 on Saturday night at Germain Arena.

The Everblades converted on an early first period power play when Brendan O’Donnell sped down the left side and wristed the puck over the blocker of Rob Madore at 4:17.

A later man advantage opportunity for Florida resulted in Matt Marquardt blasting a one-timer from Greg Gibson into the net at 14:08.

Orlando answered with its own power-play marker in the second frame when Rylan Schwartz took a pass from Erik Bradford and wristed a shot from the high slot off the post and past Rasmus Tirronen at 19:32.

The Solar Bears had another power play chance in the third period, but after Patrick Watling’s stick snapped on a one-timer at the right point the Everblades raced down the ice and Brant Harris buried a shorthanded goal at 7:20.

Ralph Cuddemi broke in on a 2-on-1 moments later and beat Madore at 8:03, and added his second of the game with a breakaway goal at 11:54 to put the game away.

Madore took the loss with 25 saves on 30 shots against; Tirronen earned the win with 17 stops on 18 shots against.