In one of the more intriguing matchups of Friday night's ECHL slate of games, the Solar Bears and Everblades meet for the first time since last season's Kelly Cup Division Finals.
The last time the Florida Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears met in a game that mattered was the 2024 South Division Finals. Florida won the series in five games and went on to make history by winning their third consecutive Kelly Cup Championship.
The two teams will face off Friday in The Swamp for the first of back-to-back meetings between the in-state rivals. It’s one of the more intriguing matchups on Friday’s ECHL slate, with each team heading in different directions during the first month of the season.
The Everblades (5-1-0) are returning home to Hertz Arena after a three-game road trip. Their most recent game was a 2-1 overtime winner against the South Carolina Stingrays in North Charleston.
Florida trailed 1-0 until the 1:16 mark of the third period, when Alex Kile tallied his first goal of the season to send the game into overtime.
Less than a minute into the extra frame, Colin Theisen netted a wrister for the game-winning goal and an Everblades victory.
The Solar Bears (3-4-1) are coming off a tough 2-1 loss at home against the Atlanta Gladiators on Wednesday. Atlanta tallied goals by Eric Neiley in the first period and Joey Cipolone in the third, while Tyler Bird netted the Solar Bears’ only goal in the second.
The Everblades and Solar Bears met during the pre-season, with Florida coming away with a 4-1 victory. Four different skaters scored goals, with Carson Gicewicz, Logan Lambdin, Santino Centorame and Jesse Lansdell each finding the back of the net. Florida decisively won the shots-on-goal battle 46-27.
By The Numbers
- The Everblades are a perfect 3-0-0 in overtime games this season.
- Orlando is tied for the ECHL lead in shorthanded goals with two, both coming from Alex Frye.
- The Everblades went 7-5-0-1 against Orlando during the 2023-24 regular season, with four of the games decided by one goal. (Florida won three out of the four).
Players To Watch
- Colton Hargrove is on a roll for the Everblades in the early going of the season, recording seven points (3-4-7) over his last five games.
- Florida netminder Will Cranley is 2-0-0 this season with a 1.49 goals-against average and .953 save percentage.
- Orlando’s Tyler Bird is currently in a three-way tie for second in the ECHL with six goals this season.
- Solar Bears goaltender Ryan Fanti leads the league with 166 total saves.
Puck drop in Estero, Fla. is set for 7:30 Pm ET.