Solar Bears thrash Everblades 8-2

Orlando hosts Florida at sold-out Amway Center tomorrow night

Click here to view the box score 

ESTERO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears scored four goals in each of the first two periods en route to a 8-2 win over the Everbaldes at the Germain Arena on Friday Night. C Ryan Cruthers was the only player with multiple goals, while C Mathew Sisca finished the contest with four assists.

Orlando came out on fire in the opening frame, as LW Ryan Ginand collected his own rebound in front of the net and powered the shot home for a 1-0 lead 7:38 into the period. At 10:45, F Rob Mignardi held the puck in the offensive zone and found F C.J. Severyn open in front, who tapped in the pass to increase the lead to 2-0. Just 45 seconds later, F Josh Caron slammed home a wraparound and F Olivier Fortier capped off the scoring, deflecting home a pass from D Kyle Medvec with 6:29 left in the period.

The offensive rush continued for the Solar Bears in the second period. Medvec started it off when finished off a wrap around 6:46 into the middle frame. The score was pushed to 6-0 1:30 later when LW Nick Petersen fired home his own rebound. Cruthers picked the next two goals, first deflecting in a Petersen shot and then blasting home a power play goal with 36 seconds left in the game.

Florida struck back early in the third period as F Justin Shugg capitalized 56 seconds into the frame. F Leigh Salters made it an 8-2 score when he redirected a shot midway through the period, but neither team would strike after that and the Solar Bears skated away with the 8-2 victory.

Three Stars: 1. R. Cruthers (ORL); 2. M. Sisca (ORL); 3. R. Ginand (ORL)

Power Plays: ORL: 1/6; FLA: 0/4

Shots: ORL: 49; FLA: 22

Notes:

The Solar Bears play their first-ever home ECHL game tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m… LW Nick Petersen and C Ryan Cruthers have now both scored in all three Solar Bears Games… Caron’s first period goal was his first as a professional… F Olivier Fortier played his first Solar Bears game and scored a goal in the first period… C Mathew Sisca finished the game with four assists… Orlando has combined for 96 shots in their two Friday night games.

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, call407-951-8200 or click here.

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