Solar Bears double up Swamp Rabbits 6-3 to take sole possession of second place

Perry scores game-winner for Orlando

Editor note: a scoring change following the game has retroactively awarded assists to Brenden Miller on Chris Bradley’s third period goal, while the assist originally credited to Ben Danford has now been awarded to Chase Witala.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (23-15-5-2) took sole possession of second place in the South Division following a 6-3 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (23-18-4-1) on Saturday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

Chase Witala opened the scoring in the first period after Austin Block won a faceoff at the right circle back to the point for Danford, who snapped a shot at the Greenville net only to see the puck ring off the post and come to a stop along the goal line, allowing Witala to easily tap the puck into the back of the net at 3:10.

Darik Angeli pushed his point streak to a fifth game (3g-3a) when a shot from the point by Danford was knocked down at the slot by the stick of Chris Crane before caroming off Angeli’s skate at the side of the cage and past Mackenzie Skapski at 6:40.

Orlando widened its lead to three goals early in the second period after killing a penalty to Alex Gacek. The rookie forward teamed up for Chad LaRose on a give-and-go play moments after emerging from the penalty box, and LaRose’s shot bounced off of the pads of Skapski before Gacek smacked home the rebound at 1:07.

The Swamp Rabbits broke through 13 seconds later when Michael Joly received a breakout pass from Tristan King and sped down the left wing before snapping a shot above the blocker of Ryan Massa at 1:20.

The Solar Bears began the third period on a power play that carried over from the second period, and Joe Perry converted for the hosts when he jammed a loose puck over the goal line at 1:18 after following a point-blank shot from Danford.

The final four minutes or regulation provided some back-and-forth action, as Bretton Cameron netted a goal on the man advantage when he knocked in a backdoor feed from Angelo Miceli at 16:04.

Chris Bradley made it 5-2 when he one-timed a pass from Shane Conacher past a screened Skapski for a power-play goal at 18:21, but Maxime St-Cyr pulled Greenville to within two again at 19:01.

Block capped the scoring for the Solar Bears when he beat out Tristan King in a footrace for the loose puck and then roofed a shot underneath the crossbar at 19:22.

Massa earned the victory by making 42 saves on 45 shots against; Skapski took the loss with 27 stops on 33 shots against.

With the win, Orlando improves to 53 points on the season; Greenville now sits in fourth place while South Carolina falls to third place following the Stingrays’ 5-3 loss at Manchester tonight.

Three Stars:1) Ben Danford – ORL2) Chase Witala – ORL3) Ryan Massa – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• 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.
• Solar Bears vs. Norfolk Admirals – Friday, Feb. 17 – 7 p.m. – Faith & Family Weekend presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A.
• Solar Bears vs. Norfolk Admirals – Sunday, Feb. 19 – 1:30 p.m. – Faith & Family Weekend presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A.

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.