Massa shuts door on Grizzlies in 3-0 Solar Bears win

Goaltender makes 42 saves in return to lineup

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ryan Massa returned to the lineup and remained red-hot, as he made 42 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Orlando Solar Bears (30-20-6-3) blanked the Utah Grizzlies (28-25-5-2) by a 3-0 score on Friday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

Austin Block got the scoring going just 3:01 into the first period when he carried the puck in the offensive zone and attempted to bring the puck through the legs of a Utah defending with a windmill maneuver. The puck deflected off the defenseman’s skate, allowing Tony Cameranesi to get a shot on Ryan Faragher, but Block had made his way to the left side of the slot and smacked the rebound underneath Faragher’s pads.

Block was also in the mix on Orlando’s second goal, when Denver Manderson fired a shot at the left circle, and Block brought the rebound to the right side of the crease before Patrick Watling fired the puck past Faragher at 6:47.

Both teams played through a scoreless second period, with Massa and Faragher both showcasing some impressive saves.

Eric Faille provided an insurance goal for the Solar Bears when he sped down the right wing during a 4-on-4 scenario and tucked the puck through Faragher’s pads at 15:13 to cap the scoring.

The win was Massa’s third consecutive victory; Faragher took the loss with 23 stops on 26 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Ryan Massa – ORL2) Austin Block – ORL3) Ty Stanton – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Utah Grizzlies – Sunday, March 12 – 1:30 p.m. – FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Wednesday, April 5 – 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Friday, April 7 – 7 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Night / Team Picture Giveaway Sponsored by Coors Light / Shirts Off Players Back Ceremony

Club level game tickets can be as purchased for as low as $10 for all remaining regular season home games at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/MTG courtesy of Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson.

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.