The Florida Everblades opened their 2026-27 campaign with a 7-0 preseason victory over the Orlando Solar Bears on Thursday night in Estero, Florida.
Devon Paliani scored 24 seconds into the first period to give the Florida Everblades an early lead. Jake Horbach added a power-play goal 13 minutes into the period, and Mark Estapa scored at 16:38 to complete a three-goal opening frame.
Florida Everblades add four goals after intermission
Isaac Nurse scored the only goal of the second period, extending the Florida Everblades’ lead. Florida continued to create turnovers in the offensive and neutral zones, while the Orlando Solar Bears struggled to move the puck out of their own zone.
Nurse scored again in the third period before Tyson Dyck and Broten Sabo added goals. The Florida Everblades finished with seven goals, while Orlando could not score against Florida’s goaltenders.
Florida Everblades goaltenders combine for shutout
Roddy Ross started in goal and made six saves on six shots. Tyriq Outen replaced Ross at the halfway point and stopped all 11 shots he faced.
Brent Johnson recorded three assists, Daniel Laatsch had two assists and Jack Horbach finished with three points. The Florida Everblades also received a physical contribution late in the game when Ben Brar and Tyler Bird fought with less than three and a half minutes remaining.
Preseason finale set against Orlando
The Florida Everblades are scheduled to play the Orlando Solar Bears again in the preseason finale the following night. The available information does not provide the exact date or venue for that game.
FSB Take
The Florida Everblades combined a fast start, seven goals and a perfect goaltending performance in their preseason opener. Paliani, Horbach, Estapa, Nurse, Dyck and Sabo supplied the scoring, while Ross and Outen kept Orlando off the scoreboard.
Source: Original report