Everblades Maul Bears in 5-1 Road Win
April 5, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ORLANDO, FL - The Florida Everblades (45-20-2-3, 95 pts) used five different goal scored as well as a 34-save performance from Alex Nedeljkovic to earn a 5-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears (35-25-7-3, 80 pts) Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Clinching the Wawa Sunshine Cup earlier this season, this win gives the Everblades an 18 to seven points lead over the rival Solar Bears.
The 'Blades jumped out to a 1-0 advantage following a forced turnover inside the Orlando zone. Moving the puck from behind the back of the net, Curt Gogol met the Orlando puck handler at the low circle. Forcing the puck loose, Gogol flipped a pass towards the front of the net where a waiting Matt Berry batted the puck high into the roof of the net.
The Everblades doubled their lead midway through the opening frame when Mike Aviani took advantage of a second chance opportunity to put the Everblades up 2-0. Moving quickly into the zone, Aviani had a stab at it out in front of goal. Aviani picked up his own rebound and swung around behind the Orlando goal and sent a wraparound attempt just past the leg pad of Orlando goaltender Ryan Massa and into the back of the net.
Orlando netted its first goal in the first period off of a messy turnover right in front of the Everblades goal. Caught red handed with the puck, the 'Blades ended up coughing up a turnover right in front of their own goal. Mason Marchment picked up the loos puck and wasted no time backhanding his shot past Everblades goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.
Less than three minutes later, the Everblades once again extended their lead to two. Kevin Raine hurled a shot from the point that was initially stopped by Massa. However the rebound jumped out to the slot, and swooping in to pick up the loose puck was Zack Kamrass who showed some great patience as he waited until he was in the clear before backhanding his shot high into the net.
Things would tighten up in the second period, and the second period remained scoreless throughout following some major saves by both Alex Nedeljkovic and Ryan Massa.
Florida took a commanding 4-1 lead just over two-and-a-half minutes into the third period. Mike Aviani steered a pass to the blue line where Josh Wesley took a chance with a heavy shot. Stepping into his shot, Wesley blasted a wicked slap shot right over the shoulder of Ryan Massa and into the net.
With the game firmly in hand, the 'Blades iced the contest midway through the final frame as John McCarron flipped a backhanded shot off the pad of Ryan Massa and into the net to secure a 5-1 Florida win.
Alex Nedeljkovic was spectacular in goal for the Everblades and he earns the win after stopping 34 of the 35 shots he faced. Ryan Massa suffers the loss in goal for the Solar Bears after allowing five goals on 40 shots.
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