Orlando collects 4-3 shootout win in front of sell-out crowd at Amway Center

Sean Lorenz registers winner in 12-round shootout

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears outlasted the Florida Everblades in a 12-round shootout to earn a 4-3 victory in the team's first-ever home ECHL game. A sell out crowd of 9,555 were on hand to witness the event.

Florida opened up the scoring at 4:20 of what proved to be a back-and-forth first period, F Brandon MacLean lifted a shot just over the shoulder of G John Curry. F Mathew Sisca came right back for  Orlando just 2:25 later, snapping home a shot after a feed from LW Nick Petersen, and evening the score at 1-1. A late period power play saw Florida F Matt Beca one-time a shot into the top left corner of the net, but D Michael Wilson answered for Orlando 1:23 seconds later with 2:05 left in the frame. The two sides skated to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first.

D Simon Danis-Pepin gave Orlando their first lead of the game just 2:12 into the second period, getting a pass from F Ryan Ginand and lifting a shot just over the glove of G Pat Nagle. It was the lone goal of the middle period, as Orlando led 3-2 heading into the third.

Beca struck for his second goal of the game 1:30 into the third period, eventually forcing overtime. After neither side was able to score during the extra frame, a 12-round shootout ensued. D Sean Lorenz, the twelfth shooter for Orlando, put home the shootout winning goal, boosting the Solar Bears to the 4-3 victory.

Three Stars: 1. S. Lorenz (ORL); 2. M. Sisca (ORL); 3. J. Curry (ORL)

Power Plays: ORL: 0/4; FLA: 1/8

Shots: ORL: 27; FLA: 34

Notes:

Orlando played its first-ever ECHL home game in front of a sell out crowd... Tonight's game was the first time this season that neither LW Nick Petersen or C Ryan Cruthers scored a goal... C Mathew Sisca has registered a point in all four Solar Bears games this season... The Solar Bears and Everblades have played past regulation in two of their four meetings.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and AHL's Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.

Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates.

Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call 407-951-8200 or click here.

Orlando Solar Bears merchandise can be purchased online at: http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/