
Miller the Hero as Solar Bears Down Stingrays 5-4 in OT
April 2, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The Orlando Solar Bears (33-27-3-5), proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, came away with a 5-4 overtime victory over the South Carolina Stingrays (41-18-6-3) in front of 5,625 on Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum.
The Solar Bears got an early lead as Brady Vail made his way down the right side and fed a pass to Mark Louis in the high slot. As the defense collapsed around Vitek Vanecek, Louis fired a wrist shot that beat the goaltender low at 1:46. Vail's assist was the forward's 57th point of the season (20g-37a), setting the new Solar Bears single-season record for points, which was previously held by Jacob Cepis.
Minutes later Eric Faille received a pass from Patrick Watling and slammed the puck past Vanecek at 5:26.
Orlando continued its run during a 5-on-3 power play when Jack Rodewald knocked down a T.J. Foster rebound past Vanecek at 15:03.
The Stingrays got on the board when Joe Devin won a faceoff at the right circle back to Colton Saucerman, who one-timed a shot past Ryan Massa at 16:49.
The Solar Bears answered after Watling stole the puck from a Stingrays player as South Carolina attempted to exit its zone. Watling worked the puck along to Brett Findlay, who sent it back to a trailing Brenden Miller, and the rookie defenseman blasted the puck into the net at 18:10.
The Stingrays rebounded in the second period with two goals coming late in the frame from Austin Fyten at 15:50 and Caleb Herbert at 17:43.
Herbert tied the score when he received a long pass from Spencer Humphries and streaked into the Solar Bears zone and snuck a shot through the pads of Massa at 3:10 of the third period.
The game remained tied at 4-4 following the end of regulation, but Miller won the game for Orlando at 2:44 of the extra frame after one-timing a pass from Foster.
Massa picked up the win with 40 saves on 44 shots against; Vanecek took the overtime loss with 12 stops on 17 shots against.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 2, 2016
- Royals Come from Behind for Critical Win over Norfolk, 3-2 - Reading Royals
- Mavericks Fall 3-2 to the Americans - Missouri Closes Regular Series - Kansas City Mavericks
- IceMen Edged by Oilers in Evansville Finale - Evansville IceMen
- Steelheads Fall in Colorado - Idaho Steelheads
- Nedomlel Rejoins Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Eagles Jump Into First Place in West Division with 5-1 Win Over Idaho - Colorado Eagles
- Rush Split with Thunder - Rapid City Rush
- Thunder Close out Series in Rapid City with 4-2 Loss - Wichita Thunder
- Herbert Scores Twice, Rays Falls to Orlando - South Carolina Stingrays
- Miller the Hero as Solar Bears Down Stingrays 5-4 in OT - Orlando Solar Bears
- Oilers Frost IceMen 3-2 - Tulsa Oilers
- Fuel Bounced 5-2 in Fort Wayne - Indy Fuel
- Cyclones Unable to Contain Walleye in Regular Season Home Finale - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Martin Makes History in Wings' Seventh Straight Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Cyclones Unable to Contain Walleye in Regular Season Home Finale - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Nailers Edge Monarchs to Climb into 7th Place - Wheeling Nailers
- K-Wings Top Swamp Rabbits 3-1 on Saturday - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Martin Makes History in Wings' Seventh Straight Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Monarchs Nailed Down in Wheeling, 2-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Gladiators Complete Weekend Sweep in Florida with 2-1 Win - Atlanta Gladiators
- Reiter Makes 40 Saves But Thunder Edge Beast - Brampton Beast
- Late Third-Period Goal Lifts Royals over Admirals - Norfolk Admirals
- Rankin Nets Five as Walleye Destroy Cincinnati - Toledo Walleye
- Rochester Recalls Defenseman Spiro Goulakos - Elmira Jackals
- Desrosiers Recalled to AHL Texas - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - April 2 - ECHL
- Cyclones Game Notes: vs Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Preview: Fan Appreciation Night - Orlando at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Fuel Sign Murray, Hassar; Receive Ciampini from Rockford - Indy Fuel
- Nailers vs. Monarchs Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Fuel Sign Hussar, Release Gould - Indy Fuel
- Game Day Capsule: Wichita at Rapid City, April 2nd - Wichita Thunder
- Stingrays Sign Colton Saucerman to ATO Agreement - South Carolina Stingrays
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Oilers at IceMen Tonight: Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Yann Sauvé back to the Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Today - April 2 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Clinch 9th Straight Playoff Appearance with 6-2 Win - Utah Grizzlies
- Americans Hold off Missouri 3-2 - Allen Americans
- Jackals Rally From Three-Goal Deficit in Third to Earn One Point in Shootout Loss - Elmira Jackals
- Almeida, Owuya Lead Grizzlies Past Aces 6-2 - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Beat Alaska 6-2; Clinch 9th Straight Playoff Appearance - Utah Grizzlies
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
- Goaltender Ryan Fanti Loaned to Orlando Solar Bears from Syracuse Crunch
- Solar Bears Round Two Series Preview vs. Florida
- Second Round Playoff Tickets Are ON SALE NOW
- Solar Bears Announce Playoff Dates and Times for South Division Finals against Florida
- Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update

