Solar Bears Punish Admirals, 7-4

ORLANDO, FL. - Seven different players recorded a goal for the Orlando Solar Bears (26-18-6-2) on Friday, en route to their 7-4 victory over the Norfolk Admirals (18-28-4-0).

The opening 20 minutes contained a frenzy of five goals, three coming in favor of the home Solar Bears and two coming for Norfolk.

Just 1:20 in, Orlando's Chris Crane bumped into Brandon Anderson in the Admirals crease, giving the road team their first power play of the night.  Forward Domenic Alberga, who had a power play goal in last night's second period, wasted no time and just 24 seconds in made it back-to-back games with a goal on the man advantage.  Zach Pochiro connected with T.J. Foster and from the circle to the left of Ryan Massa, Foster found Alberga for the redirect on the back door.

Orlando would rebuttal by dominating the next 17 minutes of play and scoring three times over the course.  Austin Block, who was participating in his first game back from suspension, was able to clean up the scraps after not one, but two rebounds were left for the taking in front of Anderson.  Block's tenth of year tied the game at 1-1.

Just 15 seconds after Block's goal, Norfolk forward Brady Vail took a slashing minor, giving Orlando their first shot on the power play.  Not to be outdone by Alberga's quick marker, Chris Bradley too scored just 24 seconds into the chance with a big one-time drive from the point.

Up 2-1, Mason Marchment, who also scored on Thursday, would score again on Friday with helpers from Alex Gacek and Daniel Maggio.  The 21-year-old who began the season with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League was left completely unmarked in front, presenting a difficult situation for the Admirals goalie.  Marchment would go across the body and beat him to put his team ahead by a pair for the first time.

Friday's first period would conclude the same way it began though, with a Domenic Alberga power play goal.  Patrick Watling took a cross-checking minor with under a minute left in the frame and the Maple, Ontario born Alberga would strike for his third power play goal in three periods.

After scoring just 39 seconds apart in the first the Solar Bears one-upped themselves to start the second, striking just 12 seconds apart.

Daniel Maggio had not scored a goal this season yet until Thursday night, when he earned his first of the year against Brandon Anderson.  Similar to Alberga and Marchment, Maggio would find the twine once again on Friday extending his season goal total to two.  A quick drive through traffic from the point was unable to be tracked by Langley, British Columbia native, going by his blocker side.

Orlando took the ensuing faceoff forward and deep into the Admirals zone.  Chris Crane swooped into the corner to the right of the Norfolk net to pick up a loose puck and from right on the goal line he unleashed a soft backhander that got by Anderson to make it 5-3.

Similar to the first period, the second contained its fair share of scoring as well, totaling four tallies.  Only one of the goals belonged to Norfolk though as they extended their impressive power play evening to three-for-three.  A Mike Krieg shot from the point was deflected down in front by captain Brodie Dupont to pull his team back within two.

Former Admiral Darik Angeli would push the margin back to three for the home side though with 6:18 left in the frame.  Angeli, who played four games with Norfolk back during the early portion of November, found a loose puck at the top of the crease after Anderson had made the initial save on Alex Gacek.

Admirals head coach Robbie Ftorek made a goaltending change to start the third period, deciding to go with Philippe Desrosiers for the final 20 minutes on Friday night.  Desrosiers, who missed Thursday's battle due to an illness, came in and closed the door on Orlando, stopping all 14 sent his way.

Brodie Dupont gave the Admirals a brief glimpse of hope just 2:04 into the third with his second goal of the night but there was no follow up, halting Norfolk's total goals scored on the evening at four.

With the net empty for the visitors, Jon Jutzi put the cherry on top for the Solar Bears with 1:02 remaining in regulation.  It would be the final mark in the tilt, closing the book on a 7-4 win for Orlando.

The two teams will meet once again on Sunday at 1:30 PM before the Admirals return home for five in a row, starting on Wednesday, February 22 against the Florida Everblades.  Tickets for all five are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Norfolk Scope Arena box office.