Solar Bears throttle Admirals 7-4

Orlando jumps back into second place

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (26-18-6-2) matched their highest offensive output of the season on home ice as they took down the Norfolk Admirals (18-28-4-0) by a 7-4 score on Friday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. With the victory, Orlando has jumped back into second place in the South Division.

Click here for the box score.

The Admirals took a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal in the first period when Domenic Alberga knocked in a feed from John Dunbar past Ryan Massa at 1:44.

The Solar Bears tied the score when Austin Block retrieved a loose puck at the bottom of the right circle and backhanded a shot past the left pad of Brandon Anderson at 9:50.

Chris Bradley gave Orlando its first lead with a power-play goal when he blasted a shot from the left point over the blocker of Anderson at 10:29 to make it 2-1.

Mason Marchment extended the lead to two goals when Alex Gacek made his way into the right corner before feeding a pass to Marchment at the front of the net, and Marchment elevated the puck over the glove of Anderson at 16:07.

Norfolk added another tally with the man advantage when Mike Krieg unloaded a shot from the left side that Alberga redirected past Massa high to the blocker side at 19:29 for his second tally of the game.

The Solar Bears opened the second frame with a strong effort as Chris Crane won a faceoff at the right circle back to Daniel Maggio, who fired a missile over the shoulder of Anderson at 2:22. Crane got a goal of his own 12 seconds later, as Darik Angeli backhanded a pass to Crane from behind the net, and Crane shoveled the puck between Anderson and the left post at 2:34.

Krieg set up Norfolk’s third power-play goal of the contest at 5:42 with another blast that was redirected by Brodie Dupont, but Angeli made it 6-3 when Jon Jutzi sent a pass from the left point into the slot to Gacek, who found his attempt denied by Anderson before Angeli grabbed hold of the rebound and buried it at 13:42.

The Admirals replaced Anderson at the start of the final frame with Phillippe Desrosiers, and Brodie Dupont brought the Admirals back to within two goals as he made his way down the left side and snapped a shot past Massa at 2:04.

Jutzi capped the scoring with an empty-net goal at 18:58.

Massa earned the win for Orlando with 26 saves on 30 shots against; Anderson took the loss with 21 stops on 27 shots against, while Desrosiers stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief.

Three Stars:1) Daniel Maggio – ORL2) Chris Crane – ORL3) Chris Bradley – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• 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. featuring The Master’s Academy + food drive to support The Forgotten Ones – a ministry to kids aging out of foster care & FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Wednesday, Feb. 22 – 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Friday, Feb. 24 – 7 p.m. – Country Music Night

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.