Wednesday Videos

To take a page out of a fellow blog, for today, I thought I'd show you a couple videos of the Solar Bears. First one is a video I took of Corbin Baldwin and Greenville's Steven Delisle dropping gloves and getting at it. Unfortunately, Baldwin wasn't up for the task and just up and showed the "eh, whatever" at the end.

Second video, not of a fight, but if you missed Opening Night because you waited too long to get tickets, here's Doc's voice over recalling the story of the Solar Bears. 

 

The Trick was getting the Hat...Or the Puck.

Don't know if video replay was too bright or memory replay looked so much better since he envisioned hats be thrown for Nick Petersen after recording the Solar Bears first ever hat trick in the ECHL.

A moment everyone who has ever played the game of hockey dreams of short of lifting the Cup is scoring a hat trick. To those who never took hockey 101, a hat trick is when a player scores 3 goals in a single game. GOALS, not points, an assist counts as point. It is also customary to throw your hat into the ice when that magic third goal is scored. I guess none of us wanted to be the lone guy to get thrown out. Anyway, that is what Nick Petersen did on Thursday night as the Solar Bear beat the South Carolina Stingrays 5-3. With that game, he becomes the ECHL scoring leader with 6 goals.

The game on Thursday had a blazing fast start for the Solar Bears as they score two quick power play goals by Ryan Cruthers and Olivier Fortier. Nick Petersen tacked on a goal in each of the three periods. South Carolina crept back in a couple times, but Petersen was just too much. The win also got them in sole possession of first place in the South Division. Power play once again, was a key factor on the Solar Bears scoring. 

On Saturday, Petersen was called up by Houston to suit up for the Aeros for that night's game. He did not play and was assigned back to Orlando hours before Sunday's game.

The game on Sunday, well not so much the same happy rainbow sunshine game, but more of a "what the hell?" Let me just reiterate something before I go all defense, Coach Drake Berehowsky has been quoted that he would like to rotate both John Curry and Mike Brodeur in the net to keep each other fresh. On Sunday, Berehowsky did just that, he gave Curry the day off to get some playing time for Brodeur. Brodeur seem to look ready during warmups, instead he showed his rust. Having not played since the Calder Cup playoffs with the Houston Aeros and coming off a jaw injury from Aeros camp, quickly let two goals slip by him in the first period. As rusty as Brodeur was on Sunday, so were the Solar Bears. From what I have noticed, the Solar Bears seem to get progressively worse when it comes transitioning from defense to offense. The defense would get a stop on Greenville, however, they would immediately turn it over, which added more pressure to Brodeur, as did Curry on Thursday. If it weren't for the power plays, this would not have even been a game. This showed greatly with the Road Warriors were able to squeak a goal in the final 11 seconds of regulation after stopping the puck, but turned it over to allow the easy goal to send it into overtime. The game later went to a shootout. There, it was all Greenville, sweeping the Solar Bears 3-0 after Lieuwen stopped all three Solar Bears shots. 

So as the Solar Bears take on the Stingrays tonight on the road, we can only hope and see how the team corrects that problem, because no matter who's guarding the net (give Brodeur some time before making final conculsions, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought Curry would be bad coming into the season) you won't win a lot of games relying on power plays alone.

Mike Brodeur should only get a small amount of blame. If the Solar Bears keep giving up the puck like they are, you can have Patrick Roy or Dominik Hasek during their primes in the net and it still wouldn't be enough.

An A** Beating Followed by an Emotional Homecoming

Last week, it seem to be all about the Everblades, raising their first Kelly Cup banner, the loud fans, quick scoring, and even some sponsor marketing genius in the form of having the boards on visiting bench create the illusion that visiting teams have lady legs. 

I was already hearing the taunting; "See, that's why we're better." "It's going to be a long season for y'all." "This ain't the IHL no more." Yeah, I heard that one too. Logic is not usually included in taunting.

Friday was supposed to be another day all about the Everblades, as they retired longtime player, Ernie Hartlieb's jersey, but that was quickly short-lived. The Solar Bears quickly stun the crowd at Germain Arena by going up 4-0 in the first period. The pounding got more intense as Kyle Medvec's goal forced the Everblades to pull Kelly Cup MVP John Muse from the net in favor of Pat Nagle. Nagle was also not immune to the beating as Nick Pertesen gets one behind the net and Ryan Cruthers scores 2 to make it 8-0. After two goals for the Everblades in the third, the Solar Bears ended the beating and earned their first ever win in ECHL 8-2 and getting a huge advantage on shots on goal, 49-22.

Saturday brought not only the rivalry, but also hockey itself back to Orlando. There was a large crowd gathered around the Amway Center as folks were lining up to get inside to witness history. In a sellout crowd of over 9,000 (Yes, upper bowl was closed, sellout more games and you might see it.) The opening video was pretty cool, which featured Doc Emrick retelling the history of the new and original Solar Bears with the timeline of events. It was really nice seeing Solar Bear lifer Todd Richards being part of the ceremonial puck drop, though I thought they should've let him do more than just stand there, like a quick speech or something.

With the game underway, the first period saw a back and forth competition between the two as Brad MacLean and Matt Beca scored for the Everblades while Matt Sisca and Micheal Wilson scored for the Solar Bears. After a quick score by Simon Danis-Pepin to put the Solar Bears up 3-2, goaltender John Curry was busy saving all the shots he could as throughout the rest of  regulation, the Solar Bears offense could not get going. It seem that as soon as the defense successfully defended a possession, they gave right back, many times, within their own zone. Eventually, the game-tying goal slipped in the net by Beca's second goal of the night. After a defensive overtime period, the game went to shootout, which proved to be a goaltender's duel between Curry and Pat Nagle. After Medvec scores for the Solar Bears, Alex Hutchings answers right back. It wasn't until Sean Lorenz puts in the deciding goal as well by an incredible save by Curry on Aaron Bogosian's shot to win the game.

The win puts the Solar Bears tie for 1st in the division and will take a break from the Everblades and face another tough division rival, South Carolina Thursday at home. With Ian Watters, Kevin Baker and Mike Broduer still out, you will see this lineup continue to build great chemistry in time for their returns.

OPENING NIGHT!

May 27, 2001

You should know what that day meant if you ever bled purple and teal. Until today, it was a bittersweet day.

A day for celebration, but a day for mourning.

A day of joy, but a day of sadness.

A day on the top, the crushed to the bottom.

Tonight, all the sadness, all the emptiness, all the agony we all felt when the Solar Bears were taken away from us are all gone.

You read the news about a group wanting to bring hockey back to Orlando.

You saw the press conference announcing the revival of the Solar Bears.

You saw the team sign player after player to form a core ready to get a championship now, and we still couldn't believe it.

Tonight, we can all see before our eyes, and witness the rebirth of something great.

Tonight, we can pick up where we left off, and bring our thunderous roar into the arena.

Tonight, when that clock up top hits zero, we show why hockey belongs in Orlando.

Thursday Previews

We are just over 48 hours away from hosting the first Solar Bear game in a very very long time. Before we get what we should expect for the next couple of days, let's turn back the clock a little bit and see how they did in their first two regular season games:

Orlando came just short of playing spoiler to the Florida Everblades as they fell to them 5-4 in an overtime thriller. Orlando, trailing 4-1 with 4:24 remaining in the 3rd period, went on fire with goals by Ryan Cruthers and Scott Tanski to cut the lead to 1. Then, with 31 seconds left, Mathew Sisca, fresh off the penalty box, score the equalizer to send it into overtime. However, Everblades C David Rutherford scores the quick clincher in overtime to give the 'Blades the win on their home ice in which they celebrated their Kelly Cup banner-raising ceremony. Despite the high score, goaltending was key, with Solar Bears G John Curry only saving 27 of 32 shots, and Florida G John Muse saving 43 of 47 shots. Also, power play again was the Solar Bears strong point, capitalizing on 2 of 4 PP opportunities as well as a short handed goal.

Saturday was a bit closer game throughout, but ended the same in the form of a loss, 4-2. Florida once again, came out quick to score in the 1st period. In the 3rd, with 7:09 remaining, Ryan Cruthers scores his second goal of the season to cut the lead to 1. Unfortunately, a second comeback attempt fell short again as the 'Blades score on an empty netter to seal the game away.

Despite being 0-1-1, the Solar Bears should keep their heads held high as they were able to keep their own against the defending champions on their ice. With this being their first full week together as a team, the chemistry is coming and its showing and they hope to bring that out when they play their first game at the Amway Center on Saturday. (It'll help if they were to win tomorrow and carry that momentum into the home ice.) 

On Wednesday, Cruthers was named Captain of the squad with both Kevin Baker and Derick Martin being named as Alternate Captains. Cruthers is no stranger to wearing the "C" on his sweater, having served the role before with the Reading Royals. All three are no surprise as they bring the most experience to this mostly young squad. It will be their leadership that will help build these players up and create the team that will win a championship.

As we head into Saturday, doors will open at 6pm, but be there a bit earlier as there should a couple activities outside the arena beforehand and there's a few spots who's happy hours will entice some for pregame. In case you haven't hear yet, Doc Emrick and Solar Bear lifer Todd Richards will play a role in pregame festivities and help finally launch the Solar Bears back into Orlando ice.

BE THERE SATURDAY!

 

PS: You can now follow O-Town Solar Bears Nation on Twitter @OTownSolarBears

Training Camp & Preseason Recap

Yes folks, the Solar Bears begin the regular season this Friday! Not a year from Friday! Not a month from Friday! Not even next Friday! THIS FRIDAY!

I'm still not believing it, but hockey is back, and so are the Solar Bears. There were some great things during this past week and not-so-great things, including the difficult cuts and how some of it may be blamed on the NHL lockout.

Training Camp 

Fortunately, practices were open to the public, so I took advantage and headed out to the RDV Ice Den so see how the team looks in their first week together. I attended the first and third day of practices.

The first day was your usual getting back in the groove day. Almost none of the players there have ever played with each other on the same team, so that made them look more rusty than they should. There were a couple scuffles between teammates, one with Brad Good and Brad Townsend and another with Brett Lyon and Ryan Blair.

By the third day, the teams have been split squads and were practicing at different times, with a squad consisting of players more than likely already making the team and those who the coaches still want to keep a close eye on, at least from my observation. Overall, the team has done well in building chemistry despite knowing each other for only three days on the ice. The three players that stood out pretty well during camp were Samson Mahbod, Matthew Panzo and Ian Watters. Mahbod had shown that he can handle the puck and was able to find the net pretty frequently during camp. Panzo never gave up, always fought hard for the puck and made sure no one took it from him. Watters is a guy I could see being the Steve Nash of hockey, always getting the right pass over to the other forwards to get to the back of the net.

Preseason

Even though I only attended Friday's game, it was still pretty clear which players should've made the team. Despite what you saw on the scoreboard, the Solar Bears did a good job against a team with an established chemistry, more seasoned, and most of who last played in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Finals. Also keep in mind that our presumptive starters (Cruthers and Baker) were inactive for both games. In both games, the Solar Bears were able to get a good amount of shots on goal, totaling 56 shots. Though they couldn't capitalize on Saturday, the Solar Bears were able to score two power play goals on Friday's game.

Final Recap and Roster Moves

Sunday was a heart breaker for 13 players, including both of our local guys. Unfortunately, since the NHL is still locked out, many of the young Minnesota players, 25, including highly touted prospects Mikael Grunlund and Charlie Coyle were assigned to the Houston Aeros. This caused the trickle down effect and caused the Aeros to bring five more players to the Solar Bears, and with reports pointing to Aeros G Mike Brodeur joining in, it was no wonder why camp prospect like Panzo, Mahbod and Brad Good who showed a lot of promise were cut. As coach Drake Berehowsky put it, "It's simply a numbers game." If and when the lockout ends, and all the players are called back up to their respective teams, those three players should be the first ones on Berehowsky's speed dial that get a spot back on the team.