Solar Bears stifled by Adirondack’s Anderson in 4-2 decision

Orlando records season-high 54 shots on goal

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Despite putting up a season-high 54 shots on goal, the Orlando Solar Bears (31-23-6-3) could only get two goals past J.P. Anderson as the team fell to the Adirondack Thunder (34-20-6-4) by a 4-2 score on Tuesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Click here for the box score.

The Thunder opened the scoring at 4:24 of the first period when Tim Harrison threw a shot on goal from the right circle that squeaked underneath the blocker of Ryan Massa and trickled over the goal line as Brian Ward drove the Orlando net.

A strong forechecking effort from Denver Manderson helped lead to a tying score for Orlando, as the Solar Bears alternate captain intercepted a Ryan Culkin pass in the corner and fed the puck into the slot for Tony Cameranesi, whose shot rebounded off the pads of J.P. Anderson and onto the stick of Justin Buzzeo, who buried his first in a Solar Bears uniform at 8:48.

Ward pulled the home team ahead late in the frame when James Henry dished the puck to the left of Massa, and Ward fired a shot into the net at 16:50.

Henry netted a goal of his own in the second period during a Thunder power play, as he received pass from Peter MacArthur at the left side of the net and wristed a shot into the chest of Massa, but the puck glanced off the goaltender’s blocker and glove and into the net at 7:44.

After Adirondack’s Dennis Kravchenko was whistled for a four-minute double-minor for high-sticking Daniel Maggio at 13:53, the Solar Bears tallied a power-play goal of their own when Shane Conacher tipped an Eric Baier point shot through the legs of Anderson at 17:17.

The Thunder extended their lead to two goals again with another goal on the man advantage early in the third period when MacArthur squeezed a shot through the legs of Massa, allowing Kravchenko to jam the puck into the net at 2:51.

The Solar Bears attempted to close the gap by pulling Massa for an extra skater, but were unable to get any further attempts past Anderson in the waning moments of regulation.

Massa took the loss with 23 saves on 27 shots against; Anderson picked up the victory with 52 stops for the Thunder.

Three Stars:1) J.P. Anderson – ADK2) Peter MacArthur – ADK3) Tim Harrison – ADK

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.