Solar Bears conclude 2017-18 regular season with 2-1 loss

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Orlando Solar Bears (33-30-6-3) completed the 2017-18 regular season with a tight-checking game against their eventual first-round opponent, the South Carolina Stingrays (48-16-7-1), but ultimately surrendered a late goal in the final two minutes of regulation to suffer a 2-1 loss on Saturday night at North Charleston Coliseum.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Max Novak (Curtis Miske, Mike Monfredo)

Goaltender: Cal Heeter (34/36)

South Carolina: Jonathan Charbonneau (Jake Kamrass, Dylan Margonari), Paul Geiger (Nick Roberto, Patrick Gaul)

Goaltender: Jeff Jakaitis (28/29)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Max Novak tied the score at 1-1 late in the second period when he teamed up with Kristian Pospisil for a 2-on-1 and slid the puck through the pads of Jeff Jakaitis for a power-play score at the 19:16 mark for his 21st goal of the season.
• Curtis Miske picked up an assist on Novak’s goal for his first professional point.
• Mike Monfredo assisted on Novak’s goal, giving the defenseman a two-game point streak (1g-1a).
• Cal Heeter took the loss for the Solar Bears, making 34 saves on 36 shots against.

NOTABLES

• The game was the seventh meeting of the season between Orlando and South Carolina that was decided by one goal – in this scenario the Solar Bears owned a 3-2-0-2 record.
• Orlando went 1-for-6 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
• Novak’s goal on the man advantage gave the forward his 23nd power-play point this season, moving him past Joshua Winquist for sole possession of the Solar Bears record for power-play points in a single season.
• Novak led the Solar Bears with seven shots on goal.
• The Solar Bears return to the North Charleston Coliseum next Thursday, April 12 as they open Game 1 of the South Division Semifinals against the Stingrays at 7:05 p.m.

THREE STARS1) Jeff Jakaitis – SC2) Cal Heeter – ORL3) Paul Geiger – SC

PLAYOFF TICKETS: The Solar Bears will play the South Carolina Stingrays in the South Division Semifinals of the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs, and will host the following games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center:

• Game 3 – Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m
• Game 4 – Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m.
• Game 5 – Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m. (if necessary)

Tickets for the first round of the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale now – fans can purchase tickets starting at $18 through the Amway Center box office or by visiting ticketmaster.com.

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.

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