The Florida Everblades are headed to the Eastern Conference Final for the fourth straight season after defeating the Orlando Solar Bears 3-1 on Saturday night in Game Five of the South Division Finals. Cole Moberg scored the game-winning goal on the power play with under two minutes to play, while Cam Johnson turned away 14 shots in net. With the win, Florida clinched the series 4-1 and extended its ECHL-record postseason dominance with a 14th consecutive playoff series victory.
First Period
The Orlando Solar Bears drew first blood midway through the opening period. At 7:51, Anthony Bardaro capitalized on a clean setup by Chris Harpur and Jack Adams, giving the Solar Bears a 1-0 lead on just their second shot of the game.
GOAL (7:51): Anthony Bardaro (ORL) – Even Strength | Assisted by Chris Harpur, Jack Adams
The period took a physical turn shortly after. At 9:51, Florida’s Jesse Lansdell was assessed a major penalty for slashing, a minor for cross-checking, and a game misconduct, resulting in a seven-minute power play opportunity for Orlando. Djibril Touré picked up a roughing minor during the same sequence to briefly negate the man advantage. Later in the period, roughing penalties were exchanged between Connor Doherty and Brayden Low at 12:47, followed by a slashing call on Tyson Feist in the final minute.
Despite the flurry of penalties, the score remained 1-0 heading into the second.
Shots on Goal:
Florida – 9 | Orlando – 8
Penalties:
- 9:51 – FLA: Jesse Lansdell – Slashing (Major), Cross-Checking (Minor), Game Misconduct
- 9:51 – ORL: Djibril Touré – Roughing (Minor)
- 12:47 – FLA: Connor Doherty – Roughing (Minor)
- 12:47 – ORL: Brayden Low – Double Minor – Roughing
- 19:30 – ORL: Tyson Feist – Slashing (Minor)
Score: Orlando 1 | Florida 0
Second Period
Florida pulled even early in the second frame. At 3:25, Colton Hargrove tipped in a point shot for his fifth goal of the playoffs, with Cole Moberg and Logan Lambdin picking up assists on the tying tally.
GOAL (3:25): Colton Hargrove (FLA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Cole Moberg, Logan Lambdin
The Everblades controlled much of the play throughout the period, outshooting Orlando 13-4. Penalty trouble returned midway through, starting with a tripping call on Orlando’s Chris Harpur at 7:49. Shortly after, Hargrove was called for slashing, and Moberg was tagged for tripping late in the frame, but neither team could convert on special teams.
Shots on Goal:
Florida – 13 | Orlando – 4
Penalties:
- 7:49 – ORL: Chris Harpur – Tripping (Minor)
- 8:54 – FLA: Colton Hargrove – Slashing (Minor)
- 19:16 – FLA: Cole Moberg – Tripping (Minor)
Score: Florida 1 | Orlando 1
Third Period
The final period was all Florida, as the Everblades applied sustained pressure and outshot Orlando 15-3. The Solar Bears were penalized at 11:30 when Anthony Bardaro was called for boarding, but Florida couldn’t cash in on that opportunity.
The decisive moment came late in regulation. At 17:50, Alex Frye was sent off for tripping. Florida needed just 22 seconds to capitalize. Cole Moberg hammered home the game-winner on the power play at 18:12, with assists from Alex Kile and Colton Hargrove.
PENALTY (17:50): Alex Frye (ORL) – Tripping (Minor)
GOAL (18:12): Cole Moberg (FLA) – Power Play | Assisted by Alex Kile, Colton Hargrove
With time running out, Orlando pulled goaltender Ryan Fanti for an extra attacker. But Oliver Chau sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final second—his third goal in two nights.
GOAL (19:59): Oliver Chau (FLA) – Empty Net | Unassisted
Shots on Goal:
Florida – 15 | Orlando – 3
Penalties:
- 11:30 – ORL: Anthony Bardaro – Boarding (Minor)
- 17:50 – ORL: Alex Frye – Tripping (Minor)
Score: Florida 3 | Orlando 1
Final Stat Summary
Final Score: Florida 3, Orlando 1
Series Result: Florida wins series 4–1
Shots on Goal:
- Florida – 37
- Orlando – 15
Goaltending Summary
- Cam Johnson (FLA): 14 saves on 15 shots | Win
- Ryan Fanti (ORL): 34 saves on 36 shots | Loss
Final Shots on Goal:
Florida – 37 | Orlando – 15
Special Teams
- Florida Power Play: 1-for-4
- Orlando Power Play: 0-for-4
- Penalty Minutes: Florida – 23 | Orlando – 14
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star: Cole Moberg (FLA) – Game-winning goal, 1 assist
2nd Star: Colton Hargrove (FLA) – 1 goal, 1 assist
3rd Star: Kade Landry (FLA) – +1, 5 shots, steady defensive play
What’s Next?
With the series win, the Florida Everblades now turn their attention to the Eastern Conference Final, where they’ll face either the Trois-Rivières Lions or Norfolk Admirals.
Today’s Game Trois-Rivières Lions vs Norfolk Admirals.
Puck Drops at 5:05 PM EDT
Norfolk Scope – Norfolk, Virginia
Florida will have home-ice advantage in the next round and continue their pursuit of another Kelly Cup championship.
South Division Finals – Game Recap Archive
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