Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - April 14, 2017

South Division Semifinals • Game 2 • Solar Bears lead series 1-0

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Florida EverbladesVENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Friday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on Mixlr

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears continue the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Coors Light, with Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals against the Florida Everblades. Orlando’s win against Florida in Game 1 on Wednesday represented the first time in franchise history that the Solar Bears have opened a playoff series with a victory.

MASSA SOLID IN POSTSEASON DEBUT:By turning in a 30-save performance for Orlando in Game 1, Ryan Massa matched Garret Sparks’ effort in Game 1 of the first round of the 2015 playoffs, the most saves by a Solar Bears goaltender to open a playoff series. Massa’s two goals against were also the fewest surrendered by a Solar Bears goaltender in the first game of a playoff series.

CRANE GETS SECOND PLAYOFF GAME-WINNER:Chris Crane’s second-period goal on Wednesday eventually stood up as the game-winning tally, and was the second of his ECHL postseason career. Crane netted the series-winning tally for the Allen Americans in their second-round matchup with Rapid City in 2015. Crane’s three-point effort for Orlando also matched a postseason career-high, which he coincidentally set in Allen’s Kelly Cup-clinching Game 7 win over South Carolina that same year. Crane also tied for third on Orlando in game-winning goals during the regular season with three.

MOORE PROVIDING SPEED, OFFESNIVE ABILITY:Although he did not record a point in his debut with Orlando, Ryan Moore was a noticeable presence in the lineup, skating primarily on a line with Joe Perry and Eric Faille. Moore tied for the team lead in shots on goal, recording four shots for Orlando, matching Taylor Doherty and Denver Manderson.

THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG:Orlando got off to a fast start on the power play in the postseason on Wednesday, as Taylor Doherty cashed in on the first chance of the night for Orlando with the man advantage during Matt Hatch’s tripping penalty in the second period.

2017 PLAYOFF LEADERSPoints: Crane & Doherty – 3Goals: Doherty – 2Assists: Crane – 2+/-: Baier, Faille & Stanton – +2PIM: Multiple – 2SOG: Doherty, Manderson & Moore – 4

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies take on the St. John’s IceCaps tonight at 7:30 p.m. NT at Mile One Centre. The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a 3-2 overtime loss at Washington last night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round match up.

APP: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.