Orlando’s Zimmerman suspended

Orlando faces a key contest today without a key player.

The Solar Bears face elimination and the Florida Everblades this afternoon at Amway Center at 1:30 in Game 5 of their ECHL playoff series. But Orlando will be without defenseman Sean Zimmerman, who was suspended for one game for instigating in the 5-3 victory in Game 4 Friday.

The Everblades, meanwhile, will be without forward Brett Bulmer, who has been suspended for one game and fined as a result of his match penalty for fighting in the third period on Friday.

The Solar Bears enjoyed their largest offensive output of the 2018 postseason on Friday as Joe Perry scored two goals, Hunter Fejes added three assists and Martins Dzierkals added two points, including the game-winning tally.

The Solar Bears opened the scoring in the first period when Dzierkals fed Chris LeBlanc from the right-wing corner, and LeBlanc snapped a shot past the glove of Callum Booth at the 5:17 mark.

The Everblades tied the score at 1-1 when Matt Berry knocked a loose rebound past Mackenzie Skapski at 17:56 after Skapski had denied two initial attempts.

Florida took its first lead of the game with a powerplay goal at 7:09 of the second period when David Dziurzynski knocked in a rebound past Skapski, making the score 2-1 in favor of the visitors. But the Solar Bears rallied to take the victory and force today’s game.

Games 6 and 7, if needed, would be played Tuesday and Wednesday in Estero.