Solar Bears win streak snapped in 5-4 loss to Thunder

Faille, Marchment have goal and assist

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – The Orlando Solar Bears (34-24-6-3) saw their three-game win streak come to an end in a hard-fought 5-4 loss to the Adirondack Thunder (36-20-7-4) Tuesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Click here for the box score.

The Solar Bears gained a 1-0 lead in the first period when Eric Faille collided with an Adirondack defender along the goal line at the left side of the net, forcing the puck onto the stick of Chase Witala. The forward threw the puck at the net and it glanced off of Faille before crossing the goal line at 9:49.

Justin Buzzeo doubled the lead at 16:42 after he received a cross-crease feed from Shane Conacher and slammed the puck inside the right post before J.P. Anderson could get his blocker in front of the puck’s path.

The Thunder responded in the second period as Conor Riley redirected a pass from Cullen Bradshaw past Ryan Massa at 2:48.

Several minutes later, the Solar Bears were dealt a critical blow as Taylor Doherty was ejected for spearing at 6:18, forcing Orlando to play down a man for a full five minutes.

Connor Brown converted first for the Thunder at 8:11 to tie the score.

Shortly thereafter, Orlando found itself attempting to defend against a 5-on-3 Adirondack advantage as Brenden Miller was sent to the sin bin for elbowing at 8:45, and Kevin Lough netted the home team’s second power-play marker at 9:40.

Riley added his second goal of the game as he smacked in a feed from beneath the goal line by Lough at 13:30.

Mason Marchment brought Orlando back to within one at 2:12 of the third period when he squeezed the puck between the pads of Anderson and the right post, but J.C. Campagna one-timed a shot past Massa from the right circle at 8:38 on the power play to re-establish a two-goal lead for the hosts.

Milos Bubela kept the comeback hopes alive for the Solar Bears when he buried a Marchment rebound through the five-hole of Anderson at 14:08, but Orlando could not find the tying score despite pulling the goaltender for an extra skater in the game’s final minutes.

Massa took the loss with 32 saves on 37 shots against; Anderson picked up the victory with 20 stops on 24 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Connor Riley – ADK2) J.C. Campagna – ADK3) Cameron Brown – ADK

South Division Playoff Picture:1st: Florida Everblades – 66 GP, 42-19-2-3 record, 89 points, 40 ROW – CLINCHED2nd: Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 67 GP, 37-25-4-1 record, 79 points, 35 ROW3rd: Orlando Solar Bears – 67 GP, 34-24-6-3 record, 77 points, 31 ROW4th: South Carolina Stingrays – 67 GP, 36-27-3-1 record, 76 points, 35 ROW5th: Cincinnati Cyclones – 66 GP, 35-27-4-0 record, 74 points, 31 ROW6th: Atlanta Gladiators – ELIMINATED7th: Norfolk Admirals – ELIMINATED

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.