FLORIDA TAKES DOWN ORLANDO 5-1

Orlando Plays Final Game of 2012-13 Season Tomorrow in Estero

Click here to view the box score Estero, FL -  Center Joel Broda scored his first goal as a Solar Bears but the Solar Bears fell 5-1 to the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena on Friday night. Florida got the scoring started just 1:46 seconds into the game. F Shawn O'Donnell squeezed a pass between G Bryce Merriam and the right goal post on to the stick of F Mike Merrifield, and Merrifield slipped the puck into the open net to give Florida the 1-0 lead. The Everblades increased their lead to 2-0 at 13:59, when a defensive zone turnover concluded with O'Donnell knocking home his own rebound on a backhander, giving the Everblades the two goal lead heading into the second frame. A scoreless second period saw the 2-0 score head into the third, where the Everblades quickly increased their lead. During 4-on-4 action, C David Rutherford completed an end-to-end rush, tucking the shot past Merriam to open up a 3-0 lead. F Corey Trivino made it 4-0 when he snapped home a rebound on a power play, and F Matthew Pistillia pushed the score to 5-0 when one-timed home a pass from LW Mathieu Roy at 13:40. Orlando got on the board with 4:55 to play, when C Joel Broda tipped home a pass from C Ryan Cruthers while shorthanded for the final 5-1 score.Three Stars: 1. M. Merrifield (FLA); 2. S. O'Donnell (FLA); 3. J. Deckert (FLA)Power Plays: ORL: 0/5; FLA: 1/4Shots: ORL: 29; FLA: 30Notes:

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. Individual tickets for all regular season home games are 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. 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/