Jubilation for Solar Bears in 5-2 Triumph over Swamp Rabbits
February 6, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears (18-19-2-4), proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, were buoyed by Ryan Massa's 38 saves and a two-point night from Nicklas Lindberg as they defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (22-19-6-0) by a 5-2 score in front of a crowd of 7,969 on Saturday night at the Amway Center.
The Solar Bears opened the scoring in the first period when T.J. Foster made his way down the left side of the attacking zone and cut wide of a Greenville skater before snapping the puck through the five-hole of Mackenzie Skapski at 10:59.
Orlando doubled its lead when Lindberg received a pass from Eric Faille in the high slot and used a screen set up by Brady Vail to fire a low wrist shot to the glove side of Skapski at 19:47.
The Swamp Rabbits responded with a goal of their own in the second period when Vinny Saponari knocked home a loose puck past the blocker of Massa during a goalmouth scramble on a Greenville power-play at 9:36.
Jack Rodewald made it 3-1 at 7:53 off a feed from Lindberg, but Josh Nicholls pulled the Swamp Rabbits back to within one when he jarred a puck that was trapped underneath Massa's pads into the net for a shorthanded marker at 11:51.
The Solar Bears received another power play opportunity further along in the frame, and Matt Rupert converted by backhanding a shot over the glove of Skapski to make it 4-2.
After a penalty was assessed to Rory Rawlyk for tripping at 14:46, the Swamp Rabbits spent most of the remaining moments in regulation with Mackenzie pulled for an extra attacker. After Orlando killed the penalty to Rawlyk, Vail potted the empty-net goal to seal the victory for the Solar Bears.
Massa picked up the win by matching his season-high of 38 saves on 40 shots against; Skapski took the loss with 26 stops on 30 shots against.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 6, 2016
- Oilers Defeat Grizzlies on Pink in the Rink Night, 3-1 - Tulsa Oilers
- Real Deal Illo!- Steelheadsâ?? forward scores twice in debut - Idaho Steelheads
- Illo, Steelheads Drop Aces 5-2 Saturday - Alaska Aces
- Mavericks Defeat Eagles 2-1 - Missouri's Josh Robinson Extends Win - Kansas City Mavericks
- Jackals Battle Back But Fall Late to Monarchs, 4-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Royals Win Big in Wheeling, 6-0 - Reading Royals
- Rush Notch Point in SOL - Rapid City Rush
- IceMen Top Rush in Shootout, Set Two-Game Attendance Record - Evansville IceMen
- Jubilation for Solar Bears in 5-2 Triumph over Swamp Rabbits - Orlando Solar Bears
- Swamp Rabbits Fall to Solar Bears 5-2 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers Streaks End, as Royals Split Weekend Series - Wheeling Nailers
- Buzzeo Nets First Career Hat Trick as Atlanta Tames the Beast 4-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Thunder Respond With Strong 5-1 Win Over Norfolk - Adirondack Thunder
- Americans Beat Wichita 5-3 on Star Wars Night - Allen Americans
- Comeback Stopped in 5-3 Loss at Allen - Wichita Thunder
- Colorado's Win Streak Ends with 2-1 Loss - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Defend Home Ice, Beat Admirals to Wrap up Weekend - Norfolk Admirals
- Cyclones Dominate Third Period, Cannot Overcome Fuel - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Wings Secure Weekend Sweep of Walleye - Kalamazoo Wings
- Monarchs Tame Jackals, 4-2 - Manchester Monarchs
- Patterson Makes 37 Saves to Help Gladiators Edge Beast - Brampton Beast
- Big Third Period Dooms Toledo in a 5-2 Loss - Toledo Walleye
- Komets Stop Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Stingrays Power Past Everblades - Florida Everblades
- Steelheads Acquire Radoslav Illo - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - February 6 - ECHL
- Beast Add Pair Ahead of Clash against Gladiators - Brampton Beast
- Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Calgary Flames Reassign Ryan Culkin to Stockton - Adirondack Thunder
- Game Notes: vs Indy - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Albany Devils Recall Joe Faust - Adirondack Thunder
- Gameday: Adirondack vs. Norfolk - Adirondack Thunder
- Jackals Travel to Manchester for Two Games against Monarchs - Elmira Jackals
- Knight Recalled by Iowa - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers Host Grizzlies on Pink in the Rink Night - Tulsa Oilers
- Game Day Capsule: Wichita at Allen, February 6th - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Today - February 6 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Military Appreciation Night-Florida at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Orlando Solar Bears Stories
- Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update
- St. Louis Blues Reassign Dickinson to Orlando from Springfield
- Blues Reassign Biakabutuka to Bears; Hoelscher Loaned to Orlando from Springfield
- Solar Bears Announce First Round Home Playoff Dates
- Solar Bears Announce 2024 Playoff Roster
