Solar Bears complete road trip at 5-4-1-0 following 5-2 loss to Everblades

Gaarder scores in debut for Orlando

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (16-9-3-0) completed their season-high 10-game road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Florida Everblades (17-5-1-2) in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game on Wednesday night at Germain Arena.

Click here for the box score.

The Solar Bears took a 1-0 lead in the first period when Joe Perry and Brett Findlay teamed up on a 2-on-1, and Perry – Orlando’s leading goal scorer – dished the puck to his left for Findlay to rifle past Anthony Peters at 3:25.

The Everblades responded when Brant Harris received a pass from Brenden O’Donnell in the slot and snapped the puck past Kasimir Kaskisuo at 9:21.

Florida then pulled ahead minutes later on the power-play when Matt Berry brought the puck around from behind the net and tucked it underneath Kaskisuo at 11:34.

Connor Gaarder, playing in his first game of the season for Orlando, brought the visitors even at 16:22 after he knocked in a rebound off the pads of Peters at 16:22.

After both teams played through a scoreless second frame, the Everblades pulled ahead when Dalton Smith banged a John McCarron rebound at 7:31. Michael Kirkpatrick gave the hosts a two-goal lead when he directed an Alex Kuqali feed into the net at 9:00, and Adam Brace sealed the game with an empty-net tally at 18:31.

Kaskisuo took the loss for Orlando with 23 saves on 27 shots against; Peters earned the win with 33 stops on 35 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Michael Kirkpatrick – FLA2) Matt Berry – FLA3) Dalton Smith – FLA

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.