Solar Bears drop decision to Komets in penalty-filled affair

Orlando assessed season-high 62 penalty minutes

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Orlando Solar Bears (16-8-3-0) combined for over 100 penalty minutes with the Fort Wayne Komets (15-7-3-0) en route to a 7-1 loss on Sunday evening at Memorial Coliseum.

Click here for the box score.

The Solar Bears established an early first period lead when Tony Cameranesi smacked a Denver Manderson rebound through the arm of Garrett Bartus at 4:32.

The Komets swung the game in their favor in the second period as Mike Cazzola jammed home the puck during a goalmouth scramble to tie the score at 1-1 at 9:27.

Gabriel Desjardins then received a pass from behind the net from Shawn Szydlowski and quickly rifled the puck past Ryan Massa at 10:22 to give the hosts their first lead of the evening.

Cazzola made it 3-1 during an odd-man rush at 16:09 as he snapped the puck into the net for his second of the game.

Bobby Shea then extended the lead to three goals for Fort Wayne when he wristed a shot past Massa at 19:05.

Cazzola buried the hat trick goal early in the third period on the power-play, and the Komets got additional goals on the man advantage from Kyle Thomas and Szydlowski at 15:36 and 17:59 respectively.

The third period was largely marked by several skirmishes that resulted in the ejection of Taylor Doherty and Joe Perry for Orlando, and Shea for Fort Wayne; all told, the Solar Bears received a season-high 62 penalty minutes on 16 total infractions, while the Komets were assessed 44 penalty minutes on 15 infractions.

Massa took the loss for Orlando with 39 saves on 46 shots against; Bartus earned the win with 21 stops on 22 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Mike Cazzola – FW2) Jamie Schaafsma – FW3) Bobby Shea – FW

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.