BEATTIE SCORES TWICE AS SOLAR BEARS FALL 6-3

Orlando Closes Out 2012-13 Season

Click here to view the box score Estero, FL -  F Kyle Beattie scored twice in the final five minutes but the Solar Bears closed out the 2012-13 season with a 6-3 loss to the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena on Saturday night. The Everblades struck early in the first period for the second straight game. F Daniel Koger led a a 2-on-1 rush up the right side and fired a wrister past Orlando G Bryce Merriam to give Florida the lead 2:44 into the frame. The Solar Bears answered with a power play goal with 2:31 to go in the period when forward C.J. Severyn swatted a rebound off a shot from C Ryan Cruthers through the legs of G Jesse Deckert, evening the score a 1-1 with the power play marker. The score lasted just 14 seconds as F Will MacDonald gathered a rebound in the slot and blasted it into the back of the net, putting Florida ahead 2-1 going into the second frame. An early second period power play helped Florida expand their lead to 3-1. A shot from the left point by D Adam Brace was deflected by LW Mathieu Roy on the power play giving Florida the two goal advantage. With 6:03 left in the second stanza, F Corey Trivino took a pass from Roy and wristed the puck home to put Florida ahead 4-1 going into the third. Two quick goals in the third period just 39 seconds apart saw the Everblades expand their lead to 6-1 when MacDonald added his second, followed by Roy's second of the game as well. With time winding down in the final stanza, Beattie knocked home his first professional goal when he cruised through the slot and finished off a pass from F Olivier Fortier. Beattie tallied his second of the night 2:02 later, when he finished off a drop pass from Severyn for the final goal of the 2012-13 season for Orlando and the final 6-3 score.Three Stars: 1. M. Roy (FLA); 2. W. MacDonald (FLA); 3. M. Pistilli (FLA)Power Plays: ORL: 1/4; FLA: 1/3Shots: ORL: 28; FLA: 29Notes:The Solar Bears finished the year with the second best record of the four new teams to the ECHL, with only the Fort Wayne Komets collecting more points than Orlando this season... F Kyle Beattie's third period goals were the first two of his professional career... The game experienced a lengthy delay midway through the second frame when C Joel Broda hit D Maury Edwards along the wall, shattering the glass separating the penalty box from the stands... D Mark Nemec got in his first professional fight in the second period... Tonight's game was the final game of the 2012-13 'Out of Hibernation' season for the Solar Bears.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and AHL's Houston Aeros, play all of their home games at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center. Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates. Don't get shut-out when we sell out! 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 for the 2013-14 season. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 or visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com. 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. Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at: http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/