Solar Bears rally but drop Game 2 to Everblades 3-2 in OT

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (5-2) rallied from a 2-0 deficit at the start of the third period to force overtime against the Florida Everblades (5-3) for the second consecutive game on Saturday night, but Florida took Game 2 of the South Division Finals by a 3-2 final at Hertz Arena to even the series at 1-1. Orlando’s franchise-record five-game playoff win streak came to a close as a result of the loss.

Click here for the box score.

Florida opened the scoring in the first period after Kyle Platzer won a faceoff back to Ben Masella, who followed up his own rebound and buried it on Connor Ingram at the 12:08 mark of the opening frame.

The Everblades extended their lead to two goals early in the second period when Blake Winiecki scored 57 seconds into the middle frame on the power play.

The Solar Bears got on the board in the third period when Chris LeBlanc deflected a point shot from Kevin Lohan past Callum Booth at 6:03 for his third of the playoffs.

Orlando made it 2-2 when Brent Pedersen took an Alex Schoenborn feed and stuffed the puck past Booth at 10:36 for his second of the postseason.

The game ultimately went to OT, but it was the Everblades who prevailed when Tommy Thompson beat Ingram with a snap shot from the right circle off the rush at the 12:08 mark of the extra session.

Ingram took the loss with 29 saves on 32 shots against; Booth picked up his first win of the series with 41 stops on 43 shots against.

THREE STARS1) Callum Booth – FLA2) Tommy Thompson – FLA3) Ben Masella – FLA

NOTABLES:

• Alexander Kuqali provided the secondary assist on LeBlanc’s goal for his fourth helper of the playoffs, tying Troy Bourke for the team lead.
• Schoenborn’s assist after returning to the lineup for the first time since Game 4 of the first round gives him a two-game assist streak (2a).

2019 Playoffs Presented by XYMOPrint:

Tickets for the second round of the Orlando Solar Bears 2019 Playoffs, presented by XYMOPrint, are now on sale. The Solar Bears return home to host Game 3 of the South Division Finals on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Amway Center. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets now. Tickets can also be purchased via ticketmaster.com or the Amway Center box office.

Playoff Perks from FAIRWINDS:

FAIRWINDS Credit Union members can score a pair of free tickets to each Solar Bears home playoff game during the second round. The first 100 FAIRWINDS members who show their FAIRWINDS debit/credit card and photo ID at the Amway Center box office will receive a free pair of tickets to that day’s game. Once all 100 pairs are claimed, FAIRWINDS members can still take advantage of a buy-one-get-one offer. Visit fairwinds.org/solarbears for additional details.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.