Solar Bears edged by Swamp Rabbits in 2-1 loss

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (16-13-3-0) battled the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (13-18-3-2) in a tight defensive battle but ultimately fell by a 2-1 score on Wednesday night at the ARS.comRink at Amway Center.

Click herefor the box score.

Greenville took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when Brendan Harms buried a shorthanded goal on Corbin Boes at the 18:20 mark.

The Solar Bears tied the score in the second period when Mathieu Foget rippled the back of the net with a wrist shot from the left circle that beat Garrett Bartus at 5:56. Initially the goal was waved off, but the goal judge verified that the puck had indeed crossed the goal line.

The Swamp Rabbits secured the lead at 9:02 of the third period when Dylan Vander Esch buried a Chad Duchesne rebound for the game-winning tally for the visitors.

Boes took the loss with 25 saves on 27 shots against; Bartus picked up the victory for Greenville with 29 stops on 30 shots against.

THREE STARS

1) Dylan Vander Esch – GRN2) Garrett Bartus – GRN3) Brendan Harms – GRN

NEXT GAMES: The Solar Bears host the South Carolina Stingrays for a pair of games this weekend as part of Florida Hockey Weekend, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson. The team hosts Lightning Night on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. CLICK HEREto purchase tickets to Saturday’s game. Orlando returns to action against the Stingrays on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m. – your ticket is also valid for entry to the UCF vs. USF college hockey game that will follow at the conclusion of the Solar Bears game. CLICK HEREto purchase tickets to Sunday’s game. Sunday’s game is also a FAIRWINDSSolar Bears Sunday – visit fairwinds.org/solarbearsfor more information.

2018-19 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to have local digital printing experts XYMOPrintas the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 season. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2019 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 30% off their first order of 500 business cards.

2018-19 Single-Game Tickets Now on Sale:

Single-game tickets for the Orlando Solar Bears 2018-19 regular season home schedule are now on sale. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for as little as $15 at the Amway Center box office, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships:

Season Ticket Membershipsfor the seventh season of ECHL Orlando Solar Bears hockey are now on sale. Full and Half-Season memberships are both available, starting as low as $270. For more information, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com.

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In six seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs four times. 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.