Photo Courtesy of the Orlando Solar Bears [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/40eae7b2-f61e-4f80-a28f-8a50eaa29bea.jpeg] Photo Courtesy of the Orlando Solar Bears The Orlando Solar Bears [https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/]desperately needed a win to get back in the South Division Finals series, and they got it with a 2-1 win over the Florida Everblades [https://www.floridaeverblades.com/]Tuesday at the Kia Center. The win snapped the Everblades’ six-game post-season unbeaten streak, handing them their first loss of the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Florida attempted a late rally, even scoring a goal to spoil Orlando’s shutout bid, but fell just short of going up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. The first period was physical, but neither team could light the lamp. ECHL Goaltender of the Year Cam Johnson, who came into the game ranked fifth with a 1.83 goals-against average, stopped 14 shots during the frame including six high-danger chances stops throughout a five-minute penalty kill late in the period. The Solar Bears had four power-play chances in the period but could not capitalize. An interference major and game misconduct on Sean Allen at the 14:53 mark would leave the Blades’ roster down a man for the rest of the game. Florida killed another 1:48 of penalty minutes without surrendering a shot on goal to open the second period before Orlando finally got on the scoreboard. Spencer Kersten, who leads all rookies with five goals in the post-season, scored an unassisted goal on Orlando’s first shot less than three minutes into the frame. Despite 16-2 shot advantage over the period, Orlando goaltender Ryan Fanti kept Florida off the scoreboard. The Solar Bears tallied the eventual game-winning goal by Aaron Luchuk at 12:39 of the third period. The Everblades finally solved Fanti late in the period as Isaac Nurse notched his first goal of the playoffs with the Everblades’ net empty, cutting the Solar Bears’ lead to 2-1 with 1:25 left. Florida got one more chance to tie the score, but Tarun Fizer’s shot from point-blank range with 1.9 seconds remaining was stopped, preserving Orlando’s first victory in the series. Florida outshot the Solar Bears 31-22 in the game. Fanti made 30 stops in his first start of the post-season after returning from the AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/]. Johnson registered 20 saves and fell to 6-1 in the playoffs. The teams will be back in action for Game 4 Friday night at Kia Center. Puck drop is set for 7 Pm ET.
