Power play comes alive for Solar Bears in 5-3 win over Everblades

Orlando gets three goals on man advantage in third period

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (31-22-6-3) tied their season-high with three power-play goals as they skated to a 5-3 victory over the Florida Everblades (41-16-2-3) for their first road victory of the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series on Saturday night at Germain Arena.

Click here for the box score.

Stephen MacAulay opened the scoring for the Everblades at 4:44 of the first period when he shielded the puck at the bottom of the right circle on a broken play and threw it past Ryan Massa into the upper-right corner of the net.

Orlando found the tying score when Eric Faille dished the puck from behind the net to Daniel Maggio at the right circle, and the forward one-timed a blast above the shoulder of Anthony Peters at 9:27.

MacAulay buried another goal early in the second period to give the home team a 2-1 lead as he brought the puck from the bottom of the right circle towards the slot and fired a shot past Massa at 3:20.

After Chris Crane was whistled for tripping at 9:49, Eric Faille recovered the puck from Michael Kirkpatrick on the defensive zone face-off and brought it up into the attacking zone, finding Brenden Miller in the slot for a shorthanded goal at 10:02 to even the score.

The Everblades gained their third lead of the night when Brendan Harms struck just 1:08 into the third period to make it 3-2 in favor of the hosts.

After Denver Manderson was hit along the boards by Dalton Smith, Maggio came to his teammate’s aid and dropped the gloves with Smith in a spirited bout at 4:12.

The boarding penalty to Smith sent Orlando to the power play, and the Solar Bears capitalized on their chance when Justin Buzzeo made his way into the slot and backhanded a pass to Faille at the left post, who then directed it across the crease for Joe Perry to hammer in his team-leading 31st goal of the season at 5:59.

Crane gave Orlando its first lead of the contest on the power play when the Solar Bears continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone, and Patrick Watling’s shot from the right point glanced off the pads of Peters before Crane elevated the puck over the goalie’s leg at 12:07.

Miller capped the scoring with his second tally of the game during a subsequent 5-on-3 man advantage, as Miller one-timed a pass from Buzzeo into the cage at 18:54.

Massa earned the victory with 22 saves on 25 shots against; Peters took the loss with 35 stops on 40 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Joe Perry – ORL2) Stephen MacAulay – FLA3) Chris Crane – ORL

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Wednesday, April 5 – 7 p.m – Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game
• 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 / Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game / Shot for $100,000

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.