ECHL hockey: Solar Bears push Blades to brink of elimination with Game 4 win

ORLANDO -- Justin Buzzeo has been on the Orlando Solar Bears for little more than a month.

Since being acquired on March 7, the 27-year-old managed just two goals in the regular season in 14 appearances.

Although that output may seem underwhelming, Buzzeo scored — without a doubt — the most critical goal of his Solar Bears tenure on Saturday.

The Solar Bears defeated the Florida Everglades 3-0 behind Buzzeo’s sublime opening goal and Ryan Massa’s first playoff shutout in front of an announced crowd of 8,243 at Amway Center.

“I’m proud of the guys for coming out and working so hard,” Orlando coach Drake Berehowsky said, "but I still think we have more to give.”

ECHL hockey: Everblades win Game 3 in OT to get within 2-1 in Orlando

Orlando has taken a 3-1 lead in its best-of-7  series, and is now one win away from advancing to the ECHL South Division finals in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. It would be the first playoff series win in franchise history. Game 5 is at 4 p.m. Sunday in Orlando.

Buzzeo’s goal was nothing short of brilliant. The forward collected the puck at center ice and with a few dekes breezed by multiple Florida defenders to supplant himself in front of the goal mouth.

From there, he flipped the puck over the Florida goaltender’s mask, and the raucous crowd erupted. Christian Maggio and Chris Crane were credited with assists.

“The crowd was amazing, and we need them back again,” Berehowsky said. “It was great to see and hear them standing on their feet cheering for us, and the guys really appreciate it as well.”

Massa etched his name in the Solar Bears record books with his third career playoff win. That’s now the most in franchise postseason history, passing Garret Sparks. He compiled 42 saves and posted his first playoff shutout.

And beyond the numbers, Massa was the team’s heart and soul the entire evening. He and a few other Solar Bears players even got involved in an altercation with the entire Florida team in the final minutes. The ensuing brawl resulted in 11 game misconduct penalties between the two teams.

“We didn’t play our best hockey,” Florida coach Brad Ralph said. “We didn’t manufacture goals. The Massa kid played well.”

Each goaltender got involved in the brawl and the game was delayed for about 15 minutes as the officials tried to straighten out the culprits.

No players were made available for comment after the game.

ECHL hockey: Everblades need to rebound on road at Orlando on Thursday in Game 3

Orlando’s second goal was some much-needed insurance and came by way of a Darik Angeli rebound from Shane Conacher's slapshot. Conacher and Crane picked up the assists.

Taylor Doherty put the icing on the cake with his empty-netter with around a minute left. It was his team-leading sixth point of the postseason.

The Solar Bears went 0-for-8 on their power-play opportunities in Game 3 and weren’t able to cash in on Saturday either. Florida was 0-for-4 on the power play.

Orlando was outshot 42-34, and has now been outshot in each of the first four games of the series. That might not be the best formula for long-term success, but the Solar Bears will most certainly take what they can get.

Orlando is now one win away from making team history.

It all starts with the man between the pipes.

“In order to have a championship team, you need to have a great goaltender, and we have one.” Berehowsky said.

SOLAR BEARS 3, EVERBLADES 0

Florida 0 0 0 - 0
Orlando 1 0 2 - 3

1st Period-1, Orlando, Buzzeo 2 (Maggio, Crane), 7:28. Penalties-Crane Orl (slashing ), 9:49; Doherty Orl (high-sticking), 14:48; Manderson Orl (tripping), 16:24.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Heard Fla (unsportsmanlike conduct), 0:07; Moore Orl (unsportsmanlike conduct), 0:07; Kamrass Fla (holding), 8:50; Aneloski Fla (holding), 10:17; Perry Orl (charging), 17:38.

3rd Period-2, Orlando, Conacher 1 (Crane), 7:18. 3, Orlando, Doherty 3   18:52 (EN). Penalties-Harris Fla (high-sticking), 11:11; Baker Fla (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Heard Fla (instigating, fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; McCarron Fla (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Nedeljkovic Fla (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Raine Fla (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Baier Orl (roughing, fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Bubela Orl (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Buzzeo Orl (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Marchment Orl (fighting - major), 19:14; Massa Orl (fighting - major, game misconduct - fighting (continuing altercation)), 19:14; Moore Orl (misconduct), 19:14.

Shots on Goal-Florida 14-11-17-42. Orlando 7-11-16-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida 0 / 4; Orlando 0 / 3.
Goalies-Florida, Nedeljkovic (33 shots-31 saves); Peters (0 shots-0 saves). Orlando, Massa (42 shots-42 saves); Gillam (0 shots-0 saves).
A-8,243
Referees-Lucas Martin (29), Andrew Wilk (24).
Linesmen-Chris Cahoon (33), Charlie O'Connor (43).

Kelly Cup Playoffs

South Division semifinals

Orlando Solar Bears 3, Everblades 1

Game 1 -- Orlando 4, Florida 2

Game 2 -- Orlando 3, Florida 2

Game 3 -- Florida 5, Orlando 4 OT

Game 4 -- Orlando 3, Florida 0.

Game 5 -- Sunday, April 23, at Orlando, 4 p.m.

Game 6 -- If necessary, Tuesday, April 25, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m.

Game 7 -- If necessary, Wednesday, April 26, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m.