Solar Bears wrap up road trip with loss to Everblades

Watling, Witala score for Orlando

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (20-14-4-2) concluded their seven-game road trip with a 7-2 loss to the Florida Everblades (26-8-1-2) in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series match on Friday night at Germain Arena.

Click here for the box score.

The Everblades established a 2-0 lead in the first period when Josh Wesley scored on a one-timer for a power-play goal at 11:43, and Brant Harris received a leading pass from Chase Golightly to speed in on Kasimir Kaskisuo and snap a shot past the netminder’s glove at 12:50.

Dalton Smith made it 3-0 at 3:31 of the second period, prompting the Solar Bears to replace Kaskisuo with Jay Williams. Matt Berry extended the host’s lead to four goals when he one-timed a pass from Michael Kirkpatrick at the left circle at 4:49.

Orlando got on the board after Alex Carrier stripped an Everblades player of the puck and then sent a breakaway feed ahead to Patrick Watling, who broke in alone on Anthony Peters and used several head-fakes before depositing the puck into the back of the net at 10:38.

The Solar Bears struck again when Chase Witala recovered the puck in the slot of the offensive zone and wristed a shot past Peters at 12:24.

Florida restored its three-goal lead when Mike Ferrantino pounced on a Curt Gogol rebound and shoveled the puck past Williams at 17:44.

The Everblades tacked on two more goals in the third period, as Kirkpatrick scored at 3:18, and Brendan O’Donnell wrapped up the game with a marker at 17:55.

Kaskisuo took the loss with 10 saves on 13 shots against in 23:31 of action, while Williams made 10 stops on 14 shots in 36:29 of relief; Peters picked up the win stopping 36 of 38.

The Solar Bears resume their Wawa Sunshine Cup Series with the Florida Everblades on Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Three Stars:1) Michael Kirkpatrick – FLA2) Mike Ferrantino – FLA3) Matt Berry – FLA

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Military Appreciation Night & Patriotic Jersey – Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades - Saturday, Jan. 21 - 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Thursday, Jan. 26 - 7 p.m. – First-ever meeting between Orlando and the defending back-to-back Kelly Cup champions
• Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Sunday, Jan. 29 - 1:30 p.m. – UCF vs. UF game following Solar Bears game

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 mobile app, presented by BB&T, gives 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 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.