Orlando closes homestand with first shutout loss of season

An early-game lapse Sunday has created late-season pressure for the Orlando Solar Bears.

The Utah Grizzlies scored early in the first and second periods and hung on for a 2-0 victory before an announced crowd of 6,653 fans at Amway Center. Its first shutout loss of the season put Orlando (30-21-6-3, 69 points) on the defensive heading into its nine-game road trip that starts at the ECHL Eastern Conferenceleading Florida Everblades on Friday night.

Orlando is in third place in the Eastern Conference’s South Division, one point ahead of the Cincinnati Cyclones and two in front of the South Carolina Stingrays.

The top four teams in each of the league’s four divisions reach the playoffs.

The Solar Bears have 12 regular-season games left.

“All the games we’re playing are big now,” Orlando coach Drake Berehowsky said.

Although it finished 6-3-0-1 on its 10-game homestand, Orlando couldn’t find its winning mojo in a physical game with Utah (29-25-5-2, 65 points).

Utah took a 1-0 lead at the 1-minute, 29-second mark of the first period when Travis Howe took a behind-the-net pass from C.J. Eick and flicked the puck past Orlando goalkeeper Ryan Massa (16-10-3-1), who lost for the first time since a 3-2 overtime loss to Florida on Feb. 15.

“It’s a credit to them for coming out ready to play,” Massa said.

Said Berehowsky: “We gave up a goal right away. It’s tough because you put yourself behind the eight ball.”

Orlando blew multiple power-play opportunities and nearly tied it in the closing seconds of the first period when Tony Cameranesi shot wide on a breakaway.

The Solar Bears increased the pace in the second period, outshooting the Grizzlies 15-6, but couldn’t find the net.

The Grizzlies stretched their lead to 2-0 on a 5-on-3 at the 1:19 mark of the second when Colin Martin scored his 19th goal. Orlando blew numerous scoring chances from there, and Taylor Doherty went to the penalty box for roughing and Daniel Maggio was penalized five minutes for fighting in a testy period.

Orlando outshot Utah 39-25.

The Solar Bears released defenseman Kyle Shapiro, and defenseman Brenden Miller was reassigned to the team by the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.