Solar Bears earn point in 3-2 shootout loss to Stingrays

ORLANDO, Fla. – Joe Perry and J.J. Piccinich scored to give the Orlando Solar Bears (31-27-6-2) a 2-0 lead by the midway point of the third period, but the South Carolina Stingrays (41-15-6-1) countered with two quick strikes in a 12-second span to tie the score at 2-2 and prevailed in the shootout by a 3-2 final on Wednesday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

The point earned in the shootout pushes the Solar Bears (66 GP, 70 points) to a seven-point lead on the Atlanta Gladiators (66 GP, 63 points) for third place in the South Division. Orlando’s magic number to clinch a berth in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs by securing one of the final two playoff spots in the South Division has also been reduced to four points – the Solar Bears can clinch a fourth trip to the postseason as early as Friday, if Orlando wins in the rematch against South Carolina and Jacksonville loses in regulation at Greenville.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Joe Perry (Kale Kerbashian), J.J. Piccinich (Nolan Valleau, Adam Phillips)

Goaltender: Mackenzie Skapski (19/21)

Shootout Goals: Martins Dzierkals

South Carolina: Paul Geiger (Jake Kamrass), Kamrass (Joey Leach, Patrick Megannety)

Goaltender: Parker Milner (24/26)

Shootout Goals: Kelly Zajac, Steven Whitney

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Joe Perry opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the game when he snapped a shot over the glove of Stingrays goaltender Parker Milner. The goal was Perry’s 14th of the season, and gives the forward a two-game point streak (2g-1a).
• J.J. Piccinich extended Orlando lead to 2-0 at 6:46 of the third period when he defelected Nolan Valleau’s point shot past Milner. Piccinich now has a two-game point streak (1g-1a).
• Kale Kerbashian picked up an assist on Perry’s goal. The forward now has a two-game point streak (2g-3a).
• Nolan Valleau earned the primary assist on Piccinich’s goal.
• Adam Phillips recorded the secondary helper on Piccinich’s tally.
• Mackenzie Skapski took the shootout loss with 19 stops on 21 shots against.

NOTABLES

• Hunter Fejes, Alex Gudbranson and Kristian Pospisil led Orlando with four shots on goal.
• The Solar Bears face the South Carolina Stingrays again on Friday, March 23 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center at 7 p.m. Orlando will host its second annual Noche Latina, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

THREE STARS1) Steven Whitney – SC2) Jake Kamrass – SC3) Joe Perry – 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.