ESTERO, Fla. – Hunter Fejes scored the lone goal for the Orlando Solar Bears (4-1), as the team was dealt its first loss of the postseason in a 4-1 defeat to the Florida Everblades (5-0) on Friday night Germain Arena to open the South Division Finals.
Click here for the box score.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | FINAL | |
| ORLANDO | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FLORIDA | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
The Solar Bears fell behind in the game’s first two minutes as Joe Cox squeaked a shot through the pads of Cal Heeter at the 1:46 mark.
John McCarron buried a snapshot on a 2-on-1 past Heeter’s blocker at 3:58 of the second period to extend Florida’s lead to 2-0.
Hunter Fejes got Orlando on the board early in the third period with his team-leading third goal of the postseason when he fired a shot from the slot through the pads of Martin Ouellette just 1:51 into the frame.
Brett Bulmer re-established Florida’s two-goal edge at 10:22, and Dave Dziurzynski sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:54.
Heeter took the loss with 36 saves on 39 shots against; Ouellette earned the win with 22 stops on 23 shots against.
NOTABLES
- Nolan Valleau extended his assist streak to three games (3a) with the helper on Fejes’ goal.
- The Solar Bears went 0-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill; Orlando is 24-for-24 on the PK in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
- Fejes led the Solar Bears with seven shots on goal.
THREE STARS1) John McCarron – FLA2) Gus Young – FLA3) Hunter Fejes – ORL
PLAYOFF TICKETS: The Solar Bears are battling the Florida Everblades in the South Division Finals of the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Coors Light, and will host the following games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center:
- Game 3 – Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m.
- Game 4 – Friday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
- Game 5 – Sunday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. (if necessary)
Tickets for the second 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.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers