Solar Bears open season with 3-2 loss to Everblades

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rookie blueliner Nikolas Brouillard scored a goal and added an assist for the Orlando Solar Bears (0-1-0-0), but the home team fell in its season opener to the Florida Everblades (3-0-0-0) by a score of 3-2 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 9,237 on Orlando United Night, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A.

Click here for the box score.

Brouillard gave Orlando the initial lead 3:35 into the first period after blasting a shot from the right circle above the glove of Anthony Peters.

Florida countered quickly with a goal from Mike Aviani less than a minute later at the 4:14 mark.

The Everblades used two early second period goals to pull ahead after John McCarron netted a goal just 13 seconds into the frame by sneaking a shot past the blocker of a screened Kasimir Kaskisuo.

Florida padded its lead while on the power play with a goal tapped in by Matt Berry at 2:33.

Orlando pulled back to within one at 5:24 when T.J. Foster received a pass from Brouillard and barreled down the left wing and snapped a shot high to the far post and past the glove of Anthony Peters.

The Solar Bears pulled Kaskisuo late in the third period in an attempt to rally, but the Everblades held firm and Orlando

Kaskisuo took the loss with 34 saves on 37 shots against; Peters recorded the victory with 26 stops on 28 shots against.

Three Stars:3) T.J. Foster – ORL2) Nikolas Brouillard – ORL1) Matt Berry – FLA

Orlando next faces the South Carolina Stingrays at home on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com. Full and half-season ticket plans are now available by visiting OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com.

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, and play all of their home games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

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 SolarBearsHockey.

Season tickets, Corporate Flex vouchers, and Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on all of the Solar Bears ticket packages, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

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