Orlando Runs into Wahl's Three Points as 'Blades Take 2-0 Series Lead
Published on April 18, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Mitch Wahl scored twice and added an assist to the lead the Florida Everblades to a 5-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears in Game 2 of the East Division Semifinals Saturday at Germain Arena. With the win, Florida now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Orlando struck first on a play set up by forward Jacob Cepis. Cepis backhanded a pass in front to Brett Findlay who took a shot that hit off the post. However, the puck bounced directly back to his stick, and Findlay immediately shoved the second chance into the net behind Florida goaltender Allen York for the game's first tally.
The Solar Bears had an opportunity to add to their lead when Everblades defenseman Jordan Henry was assessed a five-minute major for elbowing. Florida stymied Orlando on the ensuing power play and eventually killing off the penalty.
The successful penalty kill sparked the 'Blades, and moments later Corey Trivino lifted a backhanded shot off a rebound high into the net past an outstretched Garret Sparks to tie the game at one.
Just 58 seconds later, Mitch Wahl led a 2-on-1 rush into the zone. Wahl dragged the puck back at the slot to open up a clear shooting lane, and then wristed a shot past Sparks for the go-ahead tally to give the 'Blades a 2-1 lead after one period.
Halfway though the second, Steven Whitney scored on a wrist shot from the left wing circle to extend the Florida lead to 3-1.
A little more than a minute later, Wahl struck again. Adam Brace led a pass out of the zone to Wahl who caught the puck in stride and outpaced the defense. Wahl snapped a shot from the left wing circle that ripped into the Orlando net to put the score at 4-1. The goal chased Sparks from the game, and Maxime Clermont came in relief.
Late in the third, and with the net empty, Wahl returned the favor to Brace by delivering the puck all the way down the into the Solar Bears end. Brace won the foot race into the zone to negate the icing whistle and then caught the puck off the end boards. Brace angled the puck into the open the open net to secure the 5-1 victory in Game 2.
York earned the win stopping 18 of 19 shots faced, while logging an assist on Brace's empty net goal. Sparks takes the loss allowing four goals on 15 shots. Clermont stopped ten shots faced in a relief effort.
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