WINGS 4, SOLAR BEARS 2 Big hole makes for long night
The Orlando Solar Bears can’t figure out the Kalamazoo Wings.
Forced to rally after allowing two first-period goals, the Solar Bears (23-22-2-5, 53 points) dropped their second straight game to the Wings (24-24-4-1, 53 points), falling 4-2 Saturday night before an announced crowd of 8,799 at Amway Center.
Despite getting goals from Eric Faille in the second period and Rylan Schwartz in the third, the Solar Bears could not overcome the Wings’ two early power-play goals.
“If we’re at the top of the standings, it’s one of those games that you probably don’t live with, but you say, ‘Hey, we ran into a hot goaltender and couldn’t finish today,’” Solar Bears coach Anthony Noreen said.
“We’ll get them next game. The points are so important for us, it’s tough to swallow. As far as the game went, I thought we had the better chances.”
The game against the Wings at 7 Monday night will conclude the Solar Bears’ nine-game home- stand, a season high. Orlando is 4-3-0-1 during that stretch as it fights for a playoff berth with 20 regularseason games left.
The Solar Bears are tied with the Wings for 11th place in the Eastern Conference, which will send eight teams to the postseason. That final playoff spot currently is held by the Elmira Jackals with 58 points.
“They’re all must-wins,’’ Noreen said. “We’re treating them all like playoff games. No matter what happens Monday, we’re going to get on the road and do the same thing again.”
With the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ loss to the Toledo Walleye, the Solar Bears had a chance to move out of sole possession of last place in the five-team South Division for the first time since Dec. 16.
Solar Bears goalie Ryan Massa finished with 26 saves. Orlando outshot Kalamazoo 41-30 one night after the Wings managed 16 more attempts on goal.
Earlier Saturday, forward T.J. Foster was reassigned from the Solar Bears to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Foster played against the Wings, attempting one shot.