SOLAR BEARS COME UP JUST SHORT IN 3-2 LOSS TO GWINNETT

Orlando Returns Home for the Next Five Games

Click here to view the box score Duluth, GA -  The Solar Bears came back to tie the game at 1-1 and again at 2-2, but were unable to take the lead and eventually fell to the Gladiators 3-2 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Sunday afternoon. The Gladiators got on the board first with a late first period power play. After the puck was dumped into the Orlando end, the Gladiators forced a turnover and gave F Andy Brandt a chance to collect the loose puck. Brandt fired a shot into the top left corner of the net at 18:04 to put Gwinnett ahead 1-0. The Solar Bears answered 29 seconds later, when F Michael Neal bounced a pass off the left wall, springing F Nick McParland on a 2-on-1 rush. McParland raced in along the left side and beat G Mark Visentin to tie the contest at 1-1, which is where it stood at the end of the period. After neither side was able to score in the middle frame, the Gladiators snapped the 1-1 tie in the third. F Doug Jones stickhandled into the slot and slid a shot past G Patrick Killeen to give Gwinnett the 2-1 lead. McParland struck back for Orlando at 5:39, when he potted his second goal of the night on a pass from F Brett Hartung to even the score at 2-2. The tie game did not last long, as Brandt scored his second goal of the game when he banged home a rebound 2:06 later to put Gwinnett up 3-2. Orlando continued to pressure towards the end of the game, but came up just short as Gwinnett held on for the 3-2 victory.Three Stars: 1. A. Brandt (GWT); 2. D. Jones (GWT); 3. N. McParland (ORL)Power Plays: ORL: 0/2; GWT: 1/3Shots: ORL: 28; GWT: 27Notes:F Scott Tanski missed his second straight game, and is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against Greenville... F Nick McParland made his Solar Bears debut tonight and scored two goals for Orlando... The Solar Bears had two players score their first professional goals this weekend, as F Ryan Berard tallied his first on Thursday and McParland scored his first two goals today. They join F Justin Levac, D Edward Levens, D Josh Caron, F Derrick Burnett, and D Sean Lorenz as Solar Bears who have score their first career goals this season... Orlando played their final game of the year against Gwinnett, and nine of the 12 games between the two squads were decided by a single goal.

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For more information call the Solar Bears Executive Offices at 407-951-8200.Get Tickets: Orlando returns home to face the Greenville Road Warriors on Wednesday, March 20, and Thursday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m. They then face the Cincinnati Cyclones on Sunday, March 24, at 3:00 p.m. Good seats are still available. Visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com. 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/