Solar Bears inch closer to playoffs in 2-1 OT loss to Everblades

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (30-26-6-1) fought against the top team in the Eastern Conference but came up short against the Florida Everblades (42-12-2-4), falling by a 2-1 score in overtime on Thursday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center in the 12th Wawa Sunshine Cup Series meeting of the season.

The point earned in the overtime loss gives the Solar Bears (63 GP, 67 points) a six-point lead on the Atlanta Gladiators (64 GP, 61 points) for third place in the South Division. Additionally, Orlando’s magic number to clinch a berth in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs has been reduced to seven points.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Jean Dupuy (Hunter Fejes)

Goaltender: Cal Heeter (39/41)

Florida: Brett Bulmer (Steven Lorentz, Spencer Smallman), Logan Roe (Stephen MacAulay, Mitchell Heard)

Goaltender: Martin Ouellette (32/33)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Jean Dupuy opened the scoring at 13:24 of the first period, as the forward made his return to the lineup after his reassignment from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Dupuy wristed a shot past Everblades goaltender Martin Ouellette for his eighth of the season with Orlando.
• Hunter Fejes earned the assist on Dupuy’s goal, extending his point streak to three games (1g-3a).
• Cal Heeter took the overtime loss with 39 saves on 41 shots against.

NOTABLES

• The Solar Bears are now 6-6 in the five-minute overtime period this season – three of the overtime losses have come against the Everblades.
• Joe Perry led Orlando with six shots on goal.
• The Solar Bears head to southwest Florida to take on the Everblades tomorrow, March 16 at Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m. in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game. Orlando returns home to face the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday, March 21. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

THREE STARS1) Cal Heeter – ORL2) Logan Roe – FLA3) Jean Dupuy – ORL

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.