Comeback falls short as Solar Bears lose to Fuel

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears (22-20-2-4), proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, were unable to rally from a slow start as they fell to the Indy Fuel (25-25-2-0) by a 5-3 score in front of 4,658 on Wednesday night at the Amway Center.

The Fuel raced out to a 2-0 lead through the first period, as Brandon Wong beat Ryan Massa at 10:42, and Alex Lavoie added a power-play goal for Indy at 16:09.

Wong continued his torrid play for the visitors in the middle frame, helping set up Rhet Bly's power-play marker at 7:19, prompting the Solar Bears to replace Massa with Rob Madore in net. Lavoie added his second goal of the game shortly afterwards at 9:05, and Wong tallied his second goal and fourth point of the night at 15:45 to make it 5-0.

The Solar Bears spoiled Shane Owen's shutout bid late in the second period when Johnny McInnis deflected Brenden Miller's shot from the left point past the goalie at 19:05.

Orlando continued its attempt at a comeback when Brady Vail scored early in the third period off a feed from Patrick Watling at 3:32 and again on the power play at 19:18, but by then there was too little time remaining to close the 5-3 gap.

Madore took the loss with 16 saves on 18 shots against in 30:09 of relief work; Owen picked up the win with 32 stops on 35 shots against.

NOTES:
Eric Faille's secondary assist on Vail's first goal was the forward's 50th point of the season with the Solar Bears (19g-31a), making him just the fourth player in ECHL Solar Bears history to reach the half century mark, joining Mickey Lang, Jacob Cepis (twice) and Denver Manderson.

Associated Press