Orlando’s Spencer Kersten scored all four goals in the game as the Solar Bears shut out the South Carolina Stingrays 4-0 on Dec. 21 at the North Charleston Coliseum in front of 4,066 fans.
The Stingrays have been outscored 9-0 by Orlando over the last two games after a 5-0 loss the previous night.
After a scoreless first period, Orlando (9-14-2-1) opened the scoring just over five minutes into the middle frame. Kersten deflected home a centering pass to put the Solar Bears ahead 1-0. As the period continued, South Carolina (17-11-1-0) searched for an answer, but late in the period, Kersten converted on a breakout with 3:11 left to push Orlando ahead 2-0.
Solar Bears netminder Colby Muise saved all 22 shots from the Stingrays in the first two periods and kept the two-goal lead intact for Orlando heading to the final 20 minutes.
Early in the third period, South Carolina had a goal disallowed that would have cut the deficit in half. After the goal was waved off, Orlando kept the pressure on South Carolina as Kersten finished the hat trick with 10:55 left in regulation. Kersten finished the scoring on a shorthanded goal 85 seconds later to put the Solar Bears up 4-0.
Down the stretch, the Stingrays could not figure out Muise who stopped all 28 shots he faced.
Coming up
The Stingrays return to action on Dec. 26 at the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah. South Carolina returns to the North Charleston Coliseum on Dec. 27 against the Orlando Solar Bears at 6:05 p.m. for Rock the Retro Night.