Thompson's Gordie Howe hat trick not enough

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Despite taking an early 1-0 lead in the first period, a depleted Orlando Solar Bears (19-20-5-1) lineup ultimately ran out of gas and fell to the South Carolina Stingrays (28-11-4-1) by a 6-2 score on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Tayler Thompson, Joe Perry (Hunter Fejes, Thompson)

Goaltender: Mackenzie Skapski (33/38)

South Carolina: Danny Federico (Steven Whitney, Joe Devin), Devin (Travis Walsh, Paul Geiger), Dylan Margonari (Patrick Gaul), Whitney, Nick Roberto (Tommy Hughes), Hampus Gustafsson (Walsh, Roberto)

Goaltender: Parker Milner (23/25)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Tayler Thompson netted his third of the season to give Orlando a 1-0 lead at 3:31 of the first period after collecting a deflected puck on a failed South Carolina breakout and made his way to the front of the net before sliding a shot underneath Parker Milner. Thompson also helped set up Joe Perry’s goal in the second period and dropped the gloves with South Carolina’s Marcus Perrier to earn a Gordie Howe hat trick.
• Martins Dzierkals earned the assist on Thompson’s goal, giving the rookie a two-game point streak (1g-1a)
• Joe Perry buried his seventh goal of the season when he teamed up with Hunter Fejes for a 2-on-1 and beat Milner to the glove side at 7:51 of the second period. Perry now has a two-game point streak (1g-1a).
• Hunter Fejes picked up the primary assist on Perry’s goal. Fejes now has a two-game point streak (1g-2a).
• Mackenzie Skapski took the loss for Orlando, making 33 saves on 38 shots against.

NOTABLES

• Orlando dressed only 15 skaters in tonight’s loss due to a combination of injuries, illness and call-ups; Kyle Rankin played a large portion of the game on defense for the Solar Bears.
• Fejes led Orlando with seven shots on goal.
• Orlando concludes its road trip on Saturday when they face the Atlanta Gladiators at Infinite Energy Arena at 7:05 p.m. The Solar Bears return home to play the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

THREE STARS1) Joe Devin – SC2) Steven Whitney – SC3) Parker Milner – SC

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are in their sixth season of operation in the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America, and are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

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