Solar Bears remain in second place despite loss to Swamp Rabbits

Bubela has two assists

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Orlando Solar Bears (24-16-5-2) saw their five-game point streak come to an end at 4-0-1-0 as Bretton Cameron tallied a hat trick and Orlando fell to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (25-18-4-1) by a 5-3 score on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Orlando still maintains its footing in second place in the South Division, as although both teams have the same number of points (55) and regulation and overtime wins (23), the Solar Bears have a superior goal differential (+4 to -6).

Click here for the box score.

Despite dominating play in the early half of the first period, the Solar Bears were unable to solve Mackenzie Skapski, and Greenville took a 1-0 lead at 10:28 when Nick Betz gained the offensive zone and fired the puck to the end boards, where Bretton Cameron picked up the loose puck at the trapezoid and wrapped around the left post before tucking a shot underneath the pads of Ryan Massa.

Joe Houk made it 2-0 Greenville at the 1:01 mark of the second frame as he teamed up for a give-and-go with Brandon Alderson before finally beating Massa underneath the goalie’s blocker.

Orlando got on the board when Milos Bubela chased down a pass from Shane Conacher in the corner and slid the puck into the slot, where Mason Marchment shifted to his backhand and roofed a shot past the glove of a sprawling Skapski at 4:30.

The Solar Bears evened the score at 2-2 when Chris Crane joined Patrick Watling during an odd-man rush and one-timed a cross-slot feed from Watling past Skapski at 7:01.

The Swamp Rabbits restored their two-goal lead when Michael Joly fed Ahti Oksanen for the winger’s 12th goal of the season at 18:45, and Cameron netted his second of the match when Alderson’s shot from the point deflected off the glass behind Massa’s cage and off to the side of the net, allowing Cameron to tap in the loose puck for a power-play score at 19:48 to make it 4-2.

Chris Bradley blasted a power-play goal past the glove of Skapski at 15:11 of the third period to pull Orlando back to within one goal, but Cameron completed the hat trick with an empty-net tally at 19:27.

Massa took the loss with 29 saves on 33 shots against; Skapski earned the victory with 34 stops on 37 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Bretton Cameron – GRN2) Brandon Alderson – GRN3) Joe Houk – GRN

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.