Solar Bears open 2019 preseason with 3-2 win

ESTERO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (1-0-0-0) took their first game of the 2019 preseason as the team hung on for a 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades (0-1-0-0) on Friday night at Hertz Arena.

Jimmy Lodge scored for Orlando on a rebound opportunity at 16:32 of the first period when he put the puck past Ken Appleby.

Ivan Kosorenkov extended the lead for the Solar Bears to two goals with a partial breakaway tally at 1:20 of the second frame.

Justin Auger scored for the Everblades at 13:09, but Trevor Olson answered for the Solar Bears with the eventual game-winner at 15:58.

Both teams switched goaltenders to start the third period, as Zach Sawchenko replaced Spencer Martin in net for Orlando.

Greg Campbell managed to pull the Everblades to within a goal at 12:55, but the Solar Bears prevented Florida from netting an equalizer in the final minutes of regulation.

Martin picked up the win for Orlando with 16 saves on 17 shots against, while Sawchenko made seven stops on eight shots in relief; Appleby took the loss with 27 saves on 30 shots against, while Cody Porter went seven-for-seven in relief.

THREE STARS:

1) Trevor Olson2) Greg Campbell3) Justin Auger

NEXT GAME:

The Solar Bears conclude their preseason schedule Saturday at 7 p.m. at Hertz Arena.

Opening Night is Oct. 12:

The Orlando Solar Bears open their eighth season of ECHL hockey against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Opening Night tickets are on sale via the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster  – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT. Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.

Pre-Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. An extremely limited quantity of replica jerseys are available for pre-order online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place a pre-order today.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

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 seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play 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.