Takeaways: Solar Bears Stave Off Elimination With Game 4 Win Vs. Everblades

Takeaways from the Orlando Solar Bears' 4-2 win over the Florida Everblades in Game 4 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs

The Orlando Solar Bears staved off elimination with a 4-2 win over the Florida Everblades in Game 4 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs on Thursday.

Despite being outshot 39-34 in the game, Orlando scored twice in the first period and added a goal in the second and third periods.

Florida pulled within a goal twice in the game, but the Solar Bears prevented their in-state rivals from tying it.

Let's go to our five takeaways from Thursday's lone ECHL game.

Through the first three games of the series, the Solar Bears had yet to have a lead at any point. The closest Orlando came was a 2-2 score in Game 3. However, Marc-Andre Gaudet found the back of the net at the 7:37 mark of the first period, giving him his first goal of the playoffs and Orlando's first lead in this series.

Likewise, the Florida Everblades had outscored Orlando 6-1 in the first period through the first three games. Despite registering 16 shots on goal, the Everblades were held scoreless in the opening 20 minutes for the first time in the series.

Not only did Orlando grab its first lead on Gaudet's marker, but the Solar Bears went into the first intermission up 2-0, thanks partly to Darik Angeli's third goal of the playoffs. The Lakewood, Colorado, native also hit the empty net, giving him two goals on the night and three in the last two games.

Florida's Cam Johnson stole the show through the first three games, but Orlando's Evan Fitzpatrick was dialed in from the get-go. The Solar Bears netminder stopped 37 of 39 shots on goal, including all 16 in the first period. It was the fourth time this postseason that Fitzpatrick made at least 35 saves in a game. The Solar Bears are 3-1 in those starts.

Orlando has a chance to get back into the series. The most challenging part was not being swept by their in-state rivals. With Game 5 on home ice, the Solar Bears can make it a 3-2 series with a win on Saturday.

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