Game Recap: Solar Bears Edged by Everblades, 5-3

April 8, 2016

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (33-29-4-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, attempted a late third period rally but couldn’t overcome the Florida Everblades (45-23-1-2) as they fell by a 5-3 score in front of 5,429 on Friday night at Germain Arena.

The Solar Bears gave up the game’s first goal late in the first period when Ryan Massa left his crease to play a routine dump-in behind the net. As the goalie cleared the puck around the boards it deflected off of Florida’s Gabriel Desjardins back into the slot, allowing Kevin Lynch to fire the puck into an open net at 18:54.

The Everblades widened their lead in the second period with goals from Brendan O’Donnell at 5:32, and Lynch added his second of the night when the puck was poked back to the left point and Lynch blasted the moving puck past the shoulder of Massa at 8:01.

Brandon Anselmini earned his first pro point for the Solar Bears when his shot from the left side was initially blocked by Rasmus Tirronen, but Eric Faille knocked home the rebound at 12:01 to get Orlando on the board.

Greg Gibson netted a power-play goal at 14:48 of the third to give Florida a 4-1 lead, but Orlando responded shortly afterwards when Erik Bradford drove the net and jammed the puck past Tirronen at 15:22.

Moments later the Solar Bears pulled Massa for an extra skater, and the gambit paid off as Bradford sent a pass from beneath the right circle to Rylan Schwartz for a one-timer at 17:48.

The comeback fell short, however, as Lynch completed a hat trick with an empty-net goal at 19:53.

Massa took the loss with 36 saves on 40 shots against; Tirronen earned the win with 27 stops on 30 shots against.