Orlando, FL -  The Solar Bears struck early in the first, but the Florida Everblades answered back with three goals of their own to take down Orlando 3-1 at the Amway Center on Thursday night.

RW Chris Lawrence put the Solar Bears ahead 1-0, opening up the scoring at 5:01 of the first period when he found a rebound in front of the net and snapped it past G Pat Nagle for the first goal of the game. Florida answered just 1:40 later, when F Leigh Salters snapped a shot from the top of the left circle to even the game. The opening period ended with the 1-1 score.

Late in the second period, the Everblades took their first lead of the night. LW Mathieu Roy stole a pass behind the net and fed C Corey Trivino for a one-time chance from the slot, who buried his chance at 15:05 to give Florida a 2-1 advantage. Just over two minutes later, Roy fed a spin-o-rama backhand pass to a wide open F Matthew Pistilli for a one-time power play goal and lifting Florida to a 3-1 lead after two periods.

The Everblades were able to lock down defensively in the third frame, outshooting Orlando 14-9 in the final period. Neither side was able to strike in the third, as Florida held on for the 3-1 victory.

Three Stars: 1. C. Trivino (FLA); 2. M. Roy (FLA); 3. P. Nagle (ORL)
Power Plays: ORL: 0/3; FLA: 1/5
Shots: ORL: 35; FLA: 36

Notes:
C Ryan Cruthers had his seven-game point streak (6 goals, 3 assists) snapped tonight... F Michael Neal had his five game point streak (4 goals, 3 assists) broken in the game... Orlando fell to Florida at the Amway Center for the first time this season... D James Sanford made his Solar Bears debut today... The Solar Bears failed to earn a point in a home game for the first time since December 8 against the Fort Wayne Komets... G Patrick Killeen started his fourth straight game.