The Orlando Solar Bears hosted their rivals the Florida EverBlades and the UCF hockey team for the first college hockey game at Amway Center.
The Orlando Solar Bears promised at the beginning of the season their goal was not just to win games at Amway Center but to help grow the sport in Orlando. They wanted to see hockey become part of Orlando’s fabric.
The Solar Bears have taken a home up at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den where youth hockey teams and adult hockey teams play — one of the few rinks in Orlando, actually. They have helped build a growing hockey culture.
When Orlando took the ice against the Florida EverBlades on Saturday, they were doing so while playing for the first ever Sunshine Cup — the year-long rivalry competition between the two Florida ECHL teams. They were doing so as the undercard to UCF’s club hockey team playing the first college hockey game on Amway Center ice.
The result did not matter as much as the fact the games were taking place and the excitement surrounding those teams remained high.
The Orlando Solar Bears fell to the Florida EverBlades 3-2 at Amway Center on Saturday in front of 7,511 fans.
Ryan Massa made 33 saves as the defense against struggled to prevent shots. The power play also failed to get off the ground, failing to score on seven attempts. Evan Bloodoff scored the game-winner in the second period which gave Florida a two-goal lead.
The Solar Bears still have to fight for consistency defensively as this was the first time the offense struggled to get off the ground. Two goals is the fewest goals Orlando has scored this season.
There is still some growing up to do for the Solar Bears.
Following Orlando’s game, UCF club hockey took the ice to take on South Carolina. Again, the result may not have mattered as much as the impact of having an Orlando college hockey team on the main ice.
South Carolina won the game 5-3 in front of a solid group of fans who stayed after the Solar Bears played for the game — it was a very late night for hockey fans in Orlando.
It may not have delivered any wins for Orlando teams. It was still a big night and positive step forward for the two hockey programs in Orlando.
