The Orlando Solar Bears have struggled all season with the Florida Everblades. Perhaps a return from one of the Solar Bears’ playoff goalkeepers could break the spell?
Garret Sparks returned on assignment from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies and gave the Solar Bears every chance. It would be the offense though that would eventually break through — and all in the final two periods.
After giving up an early goal, the Solar Bears scored four in the third period for a 4-1 win over the Everblades at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla., on Wednesday.
Zach Bell and Jack Rodewald scored in the third period to erase a one-goal deficit from the first period and Rodewald and Eric Faille added empty net goals to complete the scoring.
Sparks made 25 saves with only that goal nearly three minutes into the game as the only blemish to his record.
The Solar Bears’ offense of late has come in spurts with lots of goals coming in quick succession. Orlando took the lead in a period of less than 30 seconds in the third period.
Bell struck first with 9:38 left in the game to tie the game on a shot from the circle. Rodewald scored on a shot from the left circle about 20 seconds later on a pass from Nicklas Lindberg, continuing the strong showing from the newcoming defender.
The Solar Bears have struggled in this series with the division-leading Everblades. A win by Florida would have forced Orlando to win every remaining game between the two to take home the inaugural Wawa Sunshine Cup.
There is still a long way to go for that. But the Solar Bears are also on a roll and continuing a strong stretch of play.
That might make those Playoff talks from the players a little more realistic. But there is still a lot of work to do.
