Cold, hard fact: This rivalry rules
Florida teams share past filled with intensity
When the Orlando Solar Bears joined the ECHL two years ago, one of management’s goals was to develop a rivalry with the Florida Everblades.
Boy, that did not take long, did it?
When the Solar Bears (2-0, four points) and Everblades (1-0-0-1, three points) hit the ice together at 7:30 tonight at Germain Arena in Estero, what they will exchange won’t be pleasantries. It will be their 31st meeting, with each team claiming 15 victories.
“There’s going to be a lot of emotion,’’ said forward Jacob Cepis, in his second season with the Solar Bears. “It’s going to be different. Both sides’ fans are going to be really excited.
“Both teams are going to bring their energy. It’s like a playoff atmosphere.’’
Expect the referees on high alert. These two notso-friendly rivals combined for 41 penalties, including 12 fighting majors, in two preseason games.
Now that the games count . . .
“It’s great for hockey,’’ Solar Bears coach Vince Williams said. “They’ve always been good, emotional, passionate hockey games. It’s good for the brand.’’
Said Everblades coach Greg Poss: “When you play a team so often, then you tend to build up some animosity. These games can affect you positively [in the standings] or negatively. It’s a double whammy.’’
The Solar Bears and Everblades have combined for some memorable moments in their brief rivalry. Florida, then the reigning league champion, won 5-4 in a shootout in Orlando’s first ECHL game in 2012. The Solar Bears’ first victory came a week later against the Everblades.
Orlando’s inaugural season ended with a four-game losing streak to Florida in which it was outscored 22-8. John Curry saved 34 shots as the Solar Bears prevailed 3-2 in a shootout last November, one of seven one-goal victories they had against the Everblades last season.
The Solar Bears’ record for most goals in a game is eight. The Everblades were the opponent both times.
“Because we see them so much, there is a carryover from night to night,’’ Williams said. “That’s how rivalries get started.’’
Consider that Florida’s two NBA teams, the Magic and the Heat, will meet in only four regular-season games. The Solar Bears and the Everblades will clash 15 times — with players carrying hockey sticks, wearing pads and moving at higher speeds on skates.
They will face off at 7 Saturday night and 3 p.m. Sunday at Amway Center.
“The guys really set the tempo,’’ Solar Bears forward Stefan Della Rovere said. “It is just, ‘Go, go, go.’ What’s fun about it is when you have home fans and away fans there at the same time. When you score a goal [in the other team’s arena] and you hear your team’s fans, it can get you going.’’
Della Rovere is one of two current Solar Bears who used to play for the Everblades. Defenseman Carl Nielsen is the other.
“You remember what guys do what,’’ Nielsen said. “When you play the same team three times in a row, there is going to be attitude, some physicality. No one likes to get beat on the scoreboard. Let’s hope we are on the right end of that this weekend.’’
Said Della Rovere: “The more you see a team, the more you dislike them.’’
Then the Solar Bears and Everblades will be disliked.
It’s not as if they haven’t been prepared.