The Orlando Solar Bears hosted the Florida Everblades tonight at Amway Center in Orlando. The Solar Bears  entered with a record of 26-23-6-1 and rank #6 in the South Division, while the 30-13-4-3 and rank 4th.  

Orlando got on the scoreboard first at the with a power play goal by Max Balinson at the 16:00 min mark.  Florida evened the score 2 minutes later when Ben Masella found the net past Solar Bears goalie Jimmy Poreda.  Neither team was able to get the scoreboard advantage before the first period ended 1-1.

The Solar Bears scored first again with a power play goal.  This time at the 15:24 mark from Ross Olsson and assisted by Matthew Barnaby and Michael Brodzinski.  Florida responded 21 seconds later by way of a Brad Morrison goal at equal strength.  With the score tied at 2-2, Newly signed Paul Boutoussov scored at the 2:25 mark to break the tie before heading into the final period.  Solar Bears up 3-2

Orlando was able to score first in the new period once again.  Michael Brodzinski found the new assisted by Luke Book at the 14:29 mark to extend the lead to 4-2.  With the crowd still celebrating, Boutoussov racked up his second of the night just 35 seconds after Brodzinksi’s to further extend their lead to 5-2.  Florida edged a goal closer when Cole Moberg found net at the 3:59 mark.   With time running thin and just under 3 minutes to play , Florida pulled their goalie in an effort to give them an upfront advantage.  Less than 2 minutes later at the :56 mark, Solar Bears defenseman Chris Harper scored an empty net goal to drive their lead up 6-3 and end the game.

In the win, the Solar Bears improves to 27-23-6-1 and will travel to Charleston, SC to play the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday, March 5 at the North Charleston Coliseum with the puck dropping at 3:05 p.m.  Florida falls to 30-14-4-3 and will visit the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Photo credit: Brianna Russell/FAAZ Sports