Lackey's 41 saves, two power-play goals not enough for Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears (6-5-0-0) scored twice on the power play and got over 40 saves from goaltender Michael Lackey, but it wasn’t enough as the team fell to the Florida Everblades (9-4-0-0) by a 6-3 score on Saturday night at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.

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After falling behind 1-0 at the 1:06 mark of the first period, Alan Lyszczarcyk tied the score with his first goal with the Solar Bears when he slipped the puck between the leg pad of Jake Hildebrand and the right post at 1:59.

Florida scored twice midway through the second period, but a power-play goal from Dylan Sadowy at 17:29 for his first of the season made it a 3-2 game. A late power-play goal from Florida’s Tommy Marchin at 19:18 gave the visitors another two-goal lead.

Chris LeBlanc deflected a Mark Auk shot at 6:01 of the third period with the man advantage to once again bring Orlando to within striking distance, but Luke Nogard and John McCarron potted goals (McCarron led the night with two goals and two assists for Florida) to seal the contest.

Lackey took the loss with 41 stops on 46 shots against, a new season-high for saves by Orlando netminders; Hildebrand picked up the win with 24 stops on 27 shots against.

NOTABLES:

• LeBlanc’s goal was his 99th career point with Orlando (37g-62a); with his next point he can become the fifth player in team history to reach 100 career points with the Solar Bears
• Auk’s assist on LeBlanc’s goal gives him a four-game assist streak (5a) since joining Orlando
• Sadowy finished the night with two points (1g-1a) in his Solar Bears home debut; he also led Orlando with a season-high seven shots on goal
• Aaron Luchuk assisted on LeBlanc’s goal, giving him a two-game assist streak (3a)
• Drake Berehowsky coached his 350th career game behind the bench for Orlando; he has posted a career record of 166-147-37 (.527); his 350 games coached and 166 wins are the most of any coach in club history  

THREE STARS:1) Blake Winiecki - FLA2) John McCarron - FLA3) Dylan Sadowy - ORL 

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears are back in action on home ice against the Florida Everblades at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. Sunday's game is a VyStar Credit Union Solar Bears Sunday — the first 100 VyStar members who show their VyStar debit/credit card at the Amway Center box office will receive a free pair of tickets to the game. Once the first 100 pairs have been claimed, VyStar members can still purchase buy-one-get-one tickets to the game, subject to availability. Visit vystarcu.org/solarbears for more information.

2020-21 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2020-21 season are now on sale and start as little as $279 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

New Mobile App: 

Download the new Orlando Solar Bears mobile app today — get access to your game tickets, news, updates and more! Download in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store today.

2020-21 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2020-21 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 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In eight 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 the AdventHealth 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.