Solar Bears win streak snapped by Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. – The Orlando Solar Bears (28-25-5-1) saw their season-high five-game win streak come to an end on Wednesday night as they fell to the Atlanta Gladiators (27-30-1-2) by a 6-1 score at Infinite Energy Arena.

With the loss, the Solar Bears (60 GP, 62 points) now holds a three-point lead on the Gladiators (61 GP, 59 points) for third place in the South Division, while Orlando’s magic number to clinch a berth in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs remains at 18 points.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Max Novak (Adam Phillips)

Goaltender: Cal Heeter (21/24), Mackenzie Skapski (15/18)

Atlanta: Eric Shand (Drew Baker, Luke Sandler), Darby Llewellyn (Tanner Pond, Taylor Stefishen), Pond (Phil Lane, Branden Troock), Stephen Pierog (Todd Skirving), Shand (Baker, Pierog), Pond (Derek Nesbitt, Davis Vandane)

Goaltender: Sean Bonar (28/29)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Max Novak got Orlando on the board late in regulation with a shorthanded goal for his 16th tally of the season at the 15:20 mark of the third period.
• Adam Phillips collected the lone assist on Novak’s goal.
• Cal Heeter took the loss, making 21 saves on 24 shots against through the first period.
• Mackenzie Skapski relieved Heeter to start the second period, and made 15 stops on 18 shots against in the remaining 40 minutes of action.

NOTABLES

• Orlando’s 24 shots against in the first period surpassed the previous season-high of 20 on Dec. 16 at Norfolk.
• Sam Jardine and Kristian Pospisil led Orlando with five shots on goal.
• The Solar Bears continue their road trip on Saturday, March 10 as they take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7 p.m. from Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Orlando returns home to face the Florida Everblades on Thursday, March 15 in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

THREE STARS1) Tanner Pond – ATL2) Eric Shand – ATL3) Sean Bonar – ATL

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.

Fiesta Four Packs, presented by CenturyLink, are now available for purchase! Pick four games and get gift certificates to Sonny’s BBQ, Dick’s Sporting Goods, QDOBA Mexican Eats and a FREE center ice ticket to the our Noche Latina game, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson on Friday, March 23! Packs start as low as $64 and include $68 in FREE gifts! Click here or call (407) 951-8200 for more information.

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