Fast start paces Solar Bears to 5-2 win over Swamp Rabbits

Orlando enjoys four-goal first period

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Orlando Solar Bears (12-6-2-0) blitzed the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (9-8-2-0) with a four-goal first period on their way to a 5-2 victory on Tuesday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Click here for the box score.

Tony Cameranesi opened the scoring early in the first period when he stole the puck at the left circle on a failed Greenville breakout and wristed a shot over the glove of Jeff Malcolm at 1:47.

Orlando continued to open up its lead when Denver Manderson had a shorthanded breakaway attempt that was initially stopped by Malcolm, but Findlay jammed home the loose puck that had become pinned underneath the skate of Malcolm at 2:39.

Austin Block made it 3-0 when he redirected a drive from the right point by Chris Bradley at 6:15. That prompted the Swamp Rabbits to make a change in net, as Mackenzie Skapski took over between the pipes.

Ahti Oksanen tallied a power-play goal when he swept in a rebound past a sprawled Kasimir Kaskisuo at 13:14, but Orlando countered when Witala teamed up with Block on a behind-the-net play and fired a shot at the edge of the crease past Skapski’s blocker at 16:22.

The second period was a largely back-and-forth affair that appeared to be winding down, but Brock Montgomery knocked in the puck under the leg of Skapski at 19:31 to send the Solar Bears into the second intermission with a four-goal lead.

Greenville cut the lead back to three goals with a power-play marker from Spiro Goulakos at 5:50 of the third period, but Kaskisuo stopped 10 of 11 shots in the final frame, and Orlando hunkered down during a five-minute penalty kill to hang on for the victory

Kaskisuo earned the win with 32 saves on 34 shots against; Malcolm took the loss with five stops on eight shots against in 6:15 of work, while Skapski denied 29 of 31 chances in 50:56 of relief.

Three Stars:1) Austin Block – ORL2) Brock Montgomery – ORL3) Kasimir Kaskisuo – 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.