Solar Bears denied chance to clinch playoff spot

Marchment scores in fourth straight game for Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (35-25-7-3) fell to the Florida Everblades (45-20-2-3) by a 5-1 score on Wednesday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. Orlando’s magic number to clinch a spot in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs remains at two points with two games remaining.

Click here for the box score.

Matt Berry opened the scoring in the first period for Florida when he directed a centering attempt from the left circle by Curt Gogol past Ryan Massa at 4:15.

Mike Aviani added to the Everblades’ lead when his rebound attempt at the right side of the net glanced off the skate of a Solar Bears defenseman and slid along the ice past the right leg pad of Massa and into the net at 8:32.

Mason Marchment got Orlando on the board after a defensive turnover by Florida that left the puck sitting in the slot, allowing the rookie forward to pounce and backhand a shot past the blocker of Alex Nedeljkovic at 12:54.

The Everblades responded when Kevin Raine one-timed a shot that was initially blocked in front of Massa, but Zack Kamrass scooped up the puck and backhanded over the goalie’s left shoulder at 15:36.

Both teams played through a scoreless second period, but each goaltender came up with big saves on shorthanded breakaways for the opposition. Nedeljkovic denied Eric Faille midway through the frame, and then Massa kicked out his left pad to the right post as Michael Kirkpatrick with three minutes left in the stanza.

Josh Wesley made it 4-1 for the visitors when his shot glance off an Orlando skater past Massa at 2:34 of the third period, and John McCarron completed the scoring with a goal that squeaked through the five-hole of Massa at 14:57.

Massa took the loss with 35 saves on 40 shots against; Nedeljkovic earned the victory with 34 stops on 35 shots against.

Three Stars:1) Alex Nedeljkovic – FLA2) John McCarron – FLA3) Mike Aviani – FLA

South Division Playoff Picture:

1st: Florida Everblades– CLINCHED DIVISION2nd: Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 70 GP, 39-25-5-1 record, 84 points, 37 ROW – CLINCHED PLAYOFF POSITION3rd: South Carolina Stingrays – 70 GP, 38-28-3-1 record, 80 points, 37 ROW4th: Orlando Solar Bears – 70 GP, 35-25-7-3 record, 80 points, 32 ROW5th: Cincinnati Cyclones – 70 GP, 36-29-4-1 record, 77 points, 32 ROW6th: Atlanta Gladiators – ELIMINATED7th: Norfolk Admirals – ELIMINATED

**Top four teams in each division qualify for the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. First tie-breaker after points is ROW (Regulation + Overtime Wins)

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• 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.