McInnis, Danford help Solar Bears school Swamp Rabbits in 7-4 win

Orlando victorious in first-ever School Day Game

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (6-5-1-0) used a four-goal third period and a season-high 53 shots on goal to triumph over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-4-2-0) by a 7-4 score on Thursday afternoon at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. The game was also the team’s first-ever School Day Game, presented by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Click here for the box score.

Orlando struck for an early lead just 1:42 into the first period after Brett Findlay fed Joe Perry from behind the net for short-side opportunity that beat Jeff Malcolm.

The Solar Bears kept the momentum going with a short-handed goal scored by Cason Hohmann off a two-on-one rush with Patrick Watling at 7:57.

The Swamp Rabbits countered when Justin DaSilva whipped a shot from the left point that beat Ryan Massa at 9:44, but Eric Faille extended Orlando’s lead back to two goals when he chased down a loose puck at the right circle while battling with Spiro Goulakos, and banked the puck off the right post and the back of Malcolm at 13:56.

Greenville took control of the offense in the second period, as Bretton Cameron netted a breakaway power-play goal at 18:32, and Matt Prepavessis scored on a broken play at 19:53 to tie the score.

The Swamp Rabbits momentarily stunned the crowd when they took their first lead of the afternoon in the third period, as Ahti Oksanen one-timed a shot from the right circle at 6:04, but the Solar Bears did not back down.

Hohmann started the rally for Orlando when he blasted a shot just before cross the blueline that was deflected by Malcolm to the right corner, and Johnny McInnis grabbed a hold of the rebound and slapped the puck above the goalie’s glove at 7:43.

The Solar Bears took the lead once again when Ben Danford blocked a shot in the defensive zone and joined up with Denver Manderson for a two-on-one. Rather than pass to Manderson at his right, Danford shot the puck from the left circle past the glove of Malcolm at 13:33.

McInnis made it 6-4 Orlando while on the power play as he redirected Eric Baier’s point shot into the net at 14:44, and Manderson capped the day’s scoring with an empty-net tally a 19:27.

Massa picked up the win with 30 saves on 34 shots against; Malcolm took the loss with 46 stops on 52 shots.

Three Stars:3) Eric Faille – ORL2) Ben Danford – ORL1) Johnny McInnis – ORL

Notes:

• Eric Baier’s third assist of the game allowed him to pass Brady Vail for second all-time in franchise history for points. Baier now has 88 points (30g-58a) for the Solar Bears in 188 career games, and only trails Jacob Cepis (112 points in 107 games) on the team’s all-time scoring list.
• The win was Drake Berehowsky’s first of the season with the Solar Bears since his hiring on Monday, and his first behind the bench for Orlando since March 24, 2013 vs. Cincinnati (2-1 win).
• Eric Faille’s 11 shots in the game tied Eric Baier for the Solar Bears single-game record. Baier originally set the record on Nov. 18, 2015 vs. Florida.

The Orlando Solar Bears return to action when they host the Missouri Mavericks for the first time on team history on Monday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. 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 orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.