Photo Courtesy of the Florida Everblades/ECHL [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/afc7d52c-d44c-4c35-b306-7a0e30fad69f.jpeg] Photo Courtesy of the Florida Everblades/ECHL The Florida Everblades [https://www.floridaeverblades.com/]find themselves in a position they’ve become quite familiar with: waiting for their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida eliminated the Orlando Solar Bears [https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/]with a 3-1 victory Saturday to capture the South Division crown, winning the series 4-1. It was the Everblades’ 14th consecutive post-season series win as they attempt to win an historic fourth straight Kelly Cup. Cole Moberg’s power-play goal with 1:48 left in the third period was the difference Saturday, snapping a 1-1 tie and giving the Everblades the win. Orlando scored the only goal of the first period as Anthony Bardaro put the Solar Bears in front 1-0 at the 7:51 mark of the opening frame. That early tally proved to be the only goal of the contest for the home team, as the Everblades limited the Solar Bears to just 11 shots on goal over the rest of the contest. Colton Hargrove tied the score 3:25 into the second period, tipping home his fifth goal of the playoffs with Moberg and Logan Lambdin picking up the assists. While the Everblades couldn’t score in the middle frame, they dominated the shot count 13-4 in the period. The score remained tied until late into the third period. With the possibility of overtime looming, Orlando’s Alex Frye was whistled for a tripping minor with 2:10 left on the clock. That penalty would be critical, as Moberg potted the game-winner just 22 seconds later. Alex Kile and Hargrove each earning assists. Oliver Chau, the Everblades’ captain and Game Four hero, closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal that beat the final buzzer for his third goal in two nights. Florida outshot the Solar Bears 15-3 in the third period and 37-15 for the game. Cam Johnson stopped 14 shots to backstop the Everblades’ eighth win in nine playoff contests. Florida now awaits the winner of the Trois-Rivieres Lions-Norfolk Admirals series to determine who their Eastern Conference Finals opponent will be. Those two teams are currently tied at two games apiece in the North Division Finals with Game Five of that series scheduled for Sunday.
