McCarron, Winiecki pace Everblades in win over Orlando

ORLANDO, FLA – The Florida Everblades (8-4-0-0) doubled up the Orlando Solar Bears (6-4-0-0) 6-3 at the Amway Center on Saturday night. Florida found a way to click offensively with 47 shots, after losing key offensive weapons to call ups.

FIRST STAR: John McCarron – two goals, two assists

SECOND STAR: Blake Winiecki – one goal, two assists

THIRD STAR: Luke Nogard – one goal

Just 1:09 into the first period, Blake Winiecki put the Everblades on top. The captain’s line was on a three-on-one and John McCarron threaded the puck to Winiecki to finish the play. However, the lead did not last long as Solar Bears forward Alan Lyszczarczyk tied the score (1:59).

The second period was full of action for both teams. It began with Winiecki beating the Orlando defensemen to the puck and quickly centered it to McCarron for an easy short-range tally (10:56). Then on the power-play, defenseman Logan Roe finally put away a backhander after a series of shots from the Everblades (14:31).

The Solar Bears cut the lead to 3-2 from a rebound by Dylan Sadowy on the power-play (17:29). Florida finished off the second period with a late goal from forward Tommy Marchin (19:18), as he scored off of a rebound from Winiecki’s shot to make the score 4-2. Newly signed goaltender Jake Hildebrand earned his first start and recorded his first assist for the Everblades off of Marchin’s goal.

In the third period, Orlando’s Chris LeBlanc redirected a shot from the blueline to make it a one goal difference (6:01). Immediately off of a face-off late in the third period, Luke Nogard scored his first goal in his debut with the Everblades (16:15). Orlando pulled its goalie with a little over a minute left. McCarron iced the game with an empty net score (18:47).

Florida plays the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center again on Sunday, January 17th at 3 p.m.

The next home game for the Everblades comes Wednesday, January 27th at 7:30 p.m. against the Orlando Solar Bears at Hertz Arena.