Solar Bears blank 'Blades 3-0 to take 3-1 series lead

Buzzeo scores game-winner, Massa makes 42 saves

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ryan Massa was brilliant in goal making 42 saves and Justin Buzzeo’s first period goal stood up as the game-winner as the Orlando Solar Bears blanked the Florida Everblades by a 3-0 score in Game 4 of the South Division Semifinals on Saturday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. The Solar Bears hold a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 scheduled for Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. in Orlando.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Justin Buzzeo (Daniel Maggio, Chris Crane), Shane Conacher (C. Crane), Taylor Doherty

Goaltender: Ryan Massa: 42/42 in 59:14, Gillam 0/0 in 0:46

Florida:

Goaltender: Alex Nedeljkovic: 31/33 in 57:08, Anthony Peters 0/0 in 0:46

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Justin Buzzeo opened the scoring at 7:28 of the first period when he carried the puck from the Orlando blueline to the right side of the neutral zone and sped down his off-wing before cutting behind Justin Baker and roofing the puck into the top-right corner of the net for his second of the postseason.
• Daniel Maggio made his return to the lineup for Orlando since sustaining an injury on March 31 at South Carolina, and the bruising defender made an immediate impact, recording the primary assist on Buzzeo’s opening tally.
• Shane Conacher netted his first of the playoffs to give the Solar Bears a 2-0 lead at 7:18 from the right circle. The goal extended Conacher’s point streak to three games (1g-2a) dating back to Game 2 of the series on April 14.
• Chris Crane had the secondary assists on both goals for Orlando, giving him his second multi-point game of the playoffs.
• Taylor Doherty sealed the game with an unassisted empty-net tally at 18:52 of the third, his sixth point of the playoffs (3g-3a) tying him with Denver Manderson (3g-3a) for the team scoring lead.
• Ryan Massa made 42 saves to secure the victory and shared the shutout with Mitch Gillam, who came on for the final 46 seconds of action. The victory was Massa’s third of the postseason, setting a new club record for postseason wins by a Solar Bears goaltender, after Massa had previously shared the mark with Garret Sparks.

NOTABLES

• The victory represented the third of the postseason by Orlando, the most in a single postseason run in franchise history.
• The attendance of 8,243 was the largest in Solar Bears Kelly Cup Playoffs history, shattering the previous mark of 7,007 set on April 25, 2015.
• The final minute of the game was punctuated by a line brawl that broke out shortly after Doherty’s goal and started at center ice when Mason Marchment and Mitchell Heard at 19:14. That altercation spilled over onto the rest of the ice, with several players on both sides – including Massa and Nedeljkovic – receiving game misconducts.
• Orlando can wrap up the South Division Semifinals with a victory in Game 5, which will be held on Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. at the com Rink at Amway Center. Fans can CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for Game 5.

THREE STARS1) Ryan Massa – ORL2) Justin Buzzeo – ORL3) Chris Crane – ORL

Tickets for Solar Bears home games for the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Coors Light, are on sale now and can be purchased via orlandosolarbearshockey.com, the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster.

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 on OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) and Instagram (SolarBearsHockey) for all the latest news and updates.

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.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.