Solar Bears rally falls short in 8-6 loss to Everblades

Crane, Perry score twice for Orlando

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (11-6-2-0) opened their season-high 10-game road trip with a 8-6 loss to the Florida Everblades (13-3-1-2) in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game on Saturday night at Germain Arena.

Click here for the box score.

The Everblades opened the scoring on the power play in the first period when John McCarron banged home a loose puck past Ryan Massa at 7:46, and Matt Berry extended the home team’s lead at 17:23.

Chris Crane brought Orlando back to within one goal at 19:34 when he knocked in a rebound that deflected off the blocker of goaltender Anthony Peters.

Joe Perry buried a Brett Findlay feed from the corner to tie it up at 2-2 at the 3:22 mark of the second period, but Eric Scheid pulled Florida ahead at 4:30.

Crane brought Orlando level again at 3-3 when he put a shot on goal from the corner that somehow snuck through the pads of Peters at 7:45.

The Solar Bears appeared poised to take the lead when they went to the power play, but Evan Bloodoff and McCarron scored shorthanded goals at 9:44 and 10:20 respectively to put the visitors in a 5-3 hole.

Late in the second, Massa sent a long pass to the opposite blueline for Patrick Watling, who dished it off for Perry, and the forward beat Peters at 17:57 to pull Orlando back to within one.

McCarron scored a power-play goal at 12:58 to complete the hat trick, and then the forward tacked on a fourth for good measure via an empty net at 18:23.

The Solar Bears were not finished, however, as Austin Block wristed a shot above the glove of Peters at 19:01, and Tony Cameranesi dished the puck into the slot for an Eric Faille goal at 19:39 to bring the score to 7-6.

Massa was pulled once again to give the Solar Bears an extra skater, but Brenden O’Donnell put the game away with an empty-net tally at 19:54.

Massa took the loss with 28 saves on 34 shots against; Peters earned the victory with 26 stops on 32 shots against.

Three Stars:

1) Josh McCarron – FLA2) Matt Berry – FLA3) Chris Crane – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Ugly Sweater jersey – Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Thursday, Dec. 22 – 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Tuesday, Dec. 27 – 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Friday, Dec. 30 – 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 Solar Bears have released a brand-new mobile app, presented by BB&T, giving Solar Bears fans everything they need right in their pocket. The app is also home to the brand-new Loyalty & Rewards Program, which provides Solar Bears fans with opportunities to accumulate points and redeem them for exclusive prizes. The new app is FREE and available for both iOS and Android devices.

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.