Solar Bears qualify for Kelly Cup Playoffs despite loss

Solar Bears fall to Reading but qualify due to South Carolina win

READING, Pa. - The Orlando Solar Bears saw a 2-1 lead going into the third period disappear as the Reading Royals notched five goals in the final frame to defeat the Solar Bears 6-2 at the Santander Arena on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, the Solar Bears have qualified for the 2014 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs as the South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Florida Everblades in a shootout tonight.

Click here for the box score

F Mickey Lang knocked home the lone goal of the opening frame. F Jacob Cepis moved a backhand pass to Lang in the neutral zone, and Lang skated down the left wing before picking the top right corner to put the Solar Bears ahead 1-0 at 11:10 of the period. Orlando continued to hold the lead heading into the second stanza.

Orlando increased their lead to 2-0 at 13:51 of the middle period. F Zach Harrison fired a pass to F Tyler Murovich from the left faceoff circle, and Murovich collected the pass before roofing a backhand shot under the crossbar to double the Orlando advantage. With just over one minute to go in the frame, however, the Royals cut the lead in half when F Greg Wolf forced the puck over the line after a couple of stops from G Maxime Clermont. The Solar Bears held the 2-1 lead going into the third.

Reading quickly took control of the game in third period. D Matt Campanale tied the game at 2-2 just 34 seconds into the period and F Kevin Walrod followed up with a goal of his own at 1:45 to give Reading the lead. Two minutes later, Wolf potted his second of the game to double the advantage as the Royals led 4-2. Walrod then notched his second of the period after a shot from the blue line rang off the goalpost and he put home rebound to increase the lead to 5-2. The score held until late in the period, when forward T.J. Syner made a quick move to his backhand and slipped a puck through the legs of Clermont to bring the game to the final 6-2 score.

Three Stars: 1. K. Walrod (REA); 2. G. Wolf (REA); 3. R. Gill (REA)Power Plays: ORL: 0/6; REA: 0/4Shots: ORL: 28; REA: 23

Notes:D Evan Renwick made his professional debut tonight. He finished the game with a +1 rating... The Solar Bears qualified for the 2014 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs tonight after the South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Florida Everblades... F Mickey Lang scored his league leading 44th goal of the season in the first period tonight... The Solar Bears lost for just the second time on the road when leading after two periods (12-2-0-0)... F Jacob Cepis was named the CCM ECHL Player of the Month for March after posting 23 points on seven goals and 16 assists... The Solar Bears lost in regulation on the road on a Wednesday night for the first time this season (2-1-1).

Orlando Solar Bears individual game tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Amway Center Box Office or online at OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com orTicketmaster.com. For the Promotional Calendar, click here.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Iowa Wild and Toronto Marlies, 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. Stay in touch with Shades on Instagram by following ShadestheSolarBear.

Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 or visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com for season tickets, Orlando Magic game VIP suite tickets, and Amway Center concert VIP suite tickets.

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 visit www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at:  http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/

Since beginning operations in November of 2011, the Solar Bears have helped raise over $500,000 for the Central Florida community. To read the Solar Bears Report to the Community, click here.