The Orlando Solar Bears hosted the Utah Grizzlies today at Amway Center in Orlando, FL for the first of a two day cross division matchup n the ECHL.  The Solar Bears  entered with a record of 25-20-6-1 and up one spot to #5 in the South Division, while the 21-23-3-0 rank 6th in the Mountain Division.  

Orlando skated out to the early 1-0 lead when Matt Forget found the right side of the net from out in front at the 16:31 mark.  Utah responded with a power play goal from Fizer at 11;43 to tie things up 1-1.  Then, with just under 3 minutes left in the 1st period, Utah’s Mikhalchuk broke the tie with a goal of his own giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead headed into the first break.

In the second period and for the remainder of the contest, it was all Utah as Orlando was held scoreless.  The Grizzlies pushed their lead further with a second goal by Fizer and one for good measure by Wright.  

The contest was a little chippy between the two teams throughout.  Seemingly as it became more apparent that game was in hand by Utah, frustration seemed to further get the better of the Solar Bears leading to a little extra action on the ice.  

In the loss, the Solar Bears fall to 25-21-6-1 and will look to bounce back tomorrow at home again in the Amway Center against the same Utah team with the puck dropping at 7 p.m.  Based on the physicality and extracurricular activities that took place on the ice today, tomorrow’s game is sure to be an exciting one.

Photo credit: Brianna Russell/FAAZ Sports