Auk, D'Amigo lift Solar Bears to 4-1 win over Stingrays

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mark Auk and Jerry D’Amigo each recorded a goal and assist, while Garret Sparks made 26 saves, including a penalty-shot stop in the second period, to lead the Orlando Solar Bears (8-6-1-0) to a 4-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays (8-3-3-0) on Sunday afternoon at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.

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Auk scored his first of the season at 6:38 of the first period off a rush up the left side, beating Jake Kupsky with a snap shot to the far post to give Orlando the 1-0 lead.

The Stingrays had a chance to tie the score in the middle frame when Andrew Cherniwchan was hauled down on a breakaway at 4:06, but Sparks stopped the forward on the subsequent penalty shot with a glove save.

D’Amigo then scored his second of the season on a wrap-around attempt at 7:47, and Zack Andrusiak deflected a shot from Matthew Spencer at 19:30 to send the Solar Bears into the intermission up 3-0.

A carryover power play from the second period led to Aaron Luchuk burying a one-timer from the right circle 34 seconds into the final frame.

Paul Meyer spoiled the shutout bid for Spark at 8:56, but the Solar Bears held on for the victory, as Sparks went 26-for-27 on the day, while Kupsky took the loss with a 39-for-43 effort.

NOTABLES:

• Orlando’s 43 shots on goal were a new season-high for the club
• Through 13 games split between Rapid City and Orlando, Auk is tied for second in league scoring among defensemen with 13 points (1g-12a)
• Johno May and Chris LeBlanc each collected two assists; the pair have three points apiece over their last two games
• The penalty shot awarded to Chernwichan was the 16th faced by the Solar Bears in team history - Orlando’s goalies have stopped 13-of-16 (81.3%) of penalty shots faced; for Sparks it was the third penalty shot of his Solar Bears career, improving to 3-for-3
• Orlando is now 5-0-0-0 when scoring first  

THREE STARS:1) Garret Sparks - ORL2) Jerry D’Amigo - ORL3) Johno May - ORL

NEXT GAME:

The Solar Bears open a seven-game road trip against the Florida Everblades at Hertz Arena on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Solar Bears are back on home ice to host the Florida Everblades at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

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.