Solar Bears get point in 5-4 OT loss to Americans

Crane has three-point game for Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (21-15-5-2) picked up a point as they fell in overtime to the Allen Americans (27-15-2-2) by a 5-4 score on Sunday afternoon at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

Ben Danford gave the Solar Bears an early lead when he teamed up with Mason Marchment for a 2-on-1 following a breakout pass from Chris Crane. Danford used Marchment as a decoy before opting to snap a low shot through the pads of Jamie Murray at 1:20.

Crane netted his own goal when he received a pass from Darik Angeli at the right circle and then fired a shot that beat Murray at 3:53.

Allen got back into the game as Bryan Moore scooped up a loose puck at the left post and slipped it underneath Ryan Massa at the 11-minute mark, and Dyson Stevenson knotted the score at 2-2 at 19:09 after he recovered the puck on a broken play and banked it past Massa.

It appeared the score would remain tied heading into the first intermission, but after the Solar Bears dumped the puck into the attacking zone, Chris Crane capitalized on a defensive turnover along the end boards and scooped up the puck at the right circle and fired it past Murray at 19:37.

The Americans opted to replace Murray with Peter Di Salvo to open the second, and both teams traded chances throughout the middle stanza. After Daniel Maggio was clipped in the defensive zone by a high stick that left the Orlando defenseman bloodied, the Solar Bears were awarded a double-minor power play, and Brenden Miller converted for the home team when he one-timed a saucer pass from Shane Conacher past Di Salvo at 13:33.

Allen scored twice in the third period to tie the score at 4-4 as Moore set up Josh Brittain for a back-door tap-in at 2:02, and David Makowski snapped a shot past Massa’s glove at the conclusion of a successful Solar Bears penalty kill at 5:23.

Eric Roy ended it for Allen in the extra session when he received a pass from Moore at the point and blasted it through a screened Massa into the net at 4:25.

Massa took the overtime loss with 37 saves on 42 shots against; Di Salvo picked up the win by making 21 stops on 22 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Eric Roy – ALN2) Chris Crane – ORL3) Bryan Moore – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Thursday, Feb. 2 – 7 p.m. – Thirsty Thursday – Fans can enjoy $5 domestic draft beers throughout the Amway Center. Fans can also take advantage of $2 Coors Light drafts before and after Thursday’s game, along with food specials at Ferg’s Depot on Church Street. Fans can purchase discounted game tickets for as low as $14 at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/fergs.
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Saturday, Feb. 4 – 7 p.m. – Guns n’ Hoses charity game between Central Florida Enforcers and Orange County Fire Rescue at 2 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Norfolk Admirals – Thursday, Feb. 16 – 7 p.m. – Thirsty Thursday – Fans can enjoy $5 domestic draft beers throughout the Amway Center. Fans can also take advantage of $2 Coors Light drafts before and after Thursday’s game, along with food specials at Ferg’s Depot on Church Street. Fans can purchase discounted game tickets for as low as $14 at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/fergs.

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.