Everblades top Orlando Solar Bears in overtime

ORLANDO, Fla. The Florida Everblades defeated the Orlando Solar Bears Thursday night with 5-4 win in game three of of the South Division Semifinals at the Amway Center.

The ‘Blades jumped to an early lead in the first period when Matt Berry slid the puck around Solar Bears’ netminder Ryan Massa.

Less than two minutes later, the ‘Blades extended their lead 2-0 with a shot from Mitchell Heard.

But the Solar Bears battled back with their first goal at 7:39 after Denver Manderson delivered a shot that bounced off the body of Anthony Peters and into the net, making it a 2-1 game.

The Solar Bears the tied the game 39 seconds into the second period.

Four minutes later, the ‘Blades were able to reclaim their lead when Michael Ferrantino scored off a pass from Mike Aviani across the ice, giving the team a 3-2 lead.

Early in the third, the Solar Bears regained the lead with two goals in a 28-second span. The first came at 2:27 from Manderson to even the score. The second came only a few seconds later from Eric Faille, giving Orlando a 4-3 lead.

However, the ‘Blades tied the game 4-4 at 7:01 of the third with Ferrantino’s second goal of the night.

Brendan O’Donnell then secured the ‘Blades 5-4 victory in overtime after he tipped and redirected a shot from the point into the net.

The Solar Bears are now leading the best-of-seven series 2-1.

The two teams will face off in game four on Saturday at the Amway Center beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by game five on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.