Massa, Solar Bears stonewall Gladiators in 4-0 win

Faille chips in goal and assist in return

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ryan Massa made 39 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Orlando Solar Bears (27-18-6-3) blanked the Atlanta Gladiators (20-25-6-1) by a 4-0 score on Wednesday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

The Solar Bears opened the scoring in the first period when Eric Faille made his way down the right wing and used a nifty toe-drag to fake out a defender before flipping the puck across the slot to the left post, where Joe Perry banged home his 27th of the season past Dan Vladar at 13:36 to give Orlando a 1-0 lead and tie Mickey Lang’s franchise record for most goals in a single season.

After Austin Block was assessed a hooking penalty at the conclusion of the frame, the Solar Bears began the second period down a man, but Chad LaRose broke up an Atlanta play, allowing Brenden Miller to feed Darik Angeli for a shorthanded breakaway, who beat Vladar at 1:46 to give the home team a 2-0 lead.

Alex Gacek then made it 3-0 when he intercepted a pass in the Gladiators zone and outwaited the defense before burying his 21st of the season at 12:53, prompting Atlanta to replace Vladar with Matt Ginn in goal.

The Solar Bears capped the scoring in the third period when Faille chased down a Daniel Maggio pass along the right boards and drove the net before tucking the puck underneath Ginn at 6:38.

Massa’s shutout was the second of the netminder’s carerer against Atlanta, and his first since stopping 38 shots in a 2-0 win at Indy on Jan. 16, 2016; Vladar took the loss with 24 stops on 27 shots against in 32:39 of action, while Ginn made 11 of 12 saves in relief.

With the win, Orlando improves to third place in the South Division, and is on a 6-0-1-1 streak on home ice.

Three Stars:1) Ryan Massa – ORL2) Joe Perry – ORL3) Eric Faille – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Friday, Feb. 24 – 7 p.m. – Country Music Night
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Sunday, Feb. 26 – 1:30 p.m. – FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Thursday, March 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.

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.