Hockey

Solar Bears Dominate Everblades For First Win, 8-2

ESTERO, Fla. — The following is a press release from the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears scored four goals in each of the first two periods en route to an 8-2 win over the Everbaldes at the Germain Arena on Friday Night. C Ryan Cruthers was the only player with multiple goals, while C Mathew Sisca finished the contest with four assists.

Orlando came out on fire in the opening frame, as LW Ryan Ginand collected his own rebound in front of the net and powered the shot home for a 1-0 lead 7:38 into the period. At 10:45, F Rob Mignardi held the puck in the offensive zone and found F C.J. Severyn open in front, who tapped in the pass to increase the lead to 2-0. Just 45 seconds later, F Josh Caron slammed home a wraparound and F Olivier Fortier capped off the scoring, deflecting home a pass from D Kyle Medvec with 6:29 left in the period.

The offensive rush continued for the Solar Bears in the second period. Medvec started it off when finished off a wrap around 6:46 into the middle frame. The score was pushed to 6-0 1:30 later when LW Nick Petersen fired home his own rebound. Cruthers picked the next two goals, first deflecting in a Petersen shot and then blasting home a power play goal with 36 seconds left in the game.

Florida struck back early in the third period as F Justin Shugg capitalized 56 seconds into the frame. F Leigh Salters made it an 8-2 score when he redirected a shot midway through the period, but neither team would strike after that and the Solar Bears skated away with the 8-2 victory.

Three Stars: 1. R. Cruthers (ORL); 2. M. Sisca (ORL); 3. R. Ginand (ORL)

Power Plays: ORL: 1/6; FLA: 0/4

Shots: ORL: 49; FLA: 22

Notes:

The Solar Bears play their first-ever home ECHL game tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m... LW Nick Petersen and C Ryan Cruthers have now both scored in all three Solar Bears Games... Caron's first period goal was his first as a professional... F Olivier Fortier played his first Solar Bears game and scored a goal in the first period... C Mathew Sisca finished the game with four assists... Orlando has combined for 96 shots in their two Friday night games.