Watling’s goal lifts Orlando

Patrick Watling’s shorthanded goal 4 minutes, 49 seconds into the third period broke a tie, and the Orlando Solar Bears went on to a 6-3 victory against the Norfolk Admirals in an ECHL game Thursday night at Amway Center.

Eric Faille produced two goals and added an assist for the Solar Bears (2-0-0-0, four points) before an announced crowd of 4,418. Orlando scored two empty-net goals — by Brett Findlay with 59 seconds to go and by Faille with 16 seconds left — in the final minute to seal the victory.

Rob Madore made 40 saves in Orlando’s victory, and Lindsay Sparks had three assists. T.J. Foster added a goal and an assist.

Christopher Clapperton of the Solar Bears opened the scoring in the first period, which produced five goals — including three by Orlando. The Admirals tied the score when defenseman Gabriel Verpaelst found the net at the 14:51 mark of the second period.

Orlando won despite being outshot 43-38. The game’s only power-play goal was scored by Norfolk’s Michael Pelech in the first period. Orlando was thwarted on its only powerplay opportunity.

It was Orlando’s second 6-3 victory in a row. The Solar Bears beat the Greenville Swamp Rabbits by the same score last weekend.

Norfolk (1-3-0-0, two points) was coming off a 6-1 loss to the host Florida Everblades on Wednesday night. The Solar Bears will look to match last year’s 3-0 start, their best since joining the ECHL for the 2012-13 season, when they host the Admirals again at 7 Saturday night.

Tickets begin at $15.