Grizzlies rush by Solar Bears 4-1

Published in The Orlando Sentinel on November 6, 1999.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The Orlando Solar Bears were handed a 4-1 loss by the Utah Grizzlies on Friday night.

Utah goaltender Rich Parent stopped 31 of 32 Orlando shots on goal to send the Solar Bears (6-3-1) to consecutive losses for the first time this season.

Grizzlies defenseman Darcy Werenka opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at 1:51 of the first period on Utah's first shot of the game. The Grizzlies (5-2-1) carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Former Orlando defenseman Patrick Neaton gave Utah a 2-0 lead with his first goal of the season at 3:28 from center Richard Park and left wing Brad Lauer.

The Solar Bears got one back at 4:12 as Mark Beaufait tallied his first of the season from defenseman Brett Clark and right wing Dean Sylvester.

Right wing John Purves gave the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead after two periods of play with a goal at 6:25 from former Orlando center Rob Bonneau and right wing Sean Tallaire.

Tallaire scored the only goal of the third period at 16:54 from Purves and Bonneau to seal the victory.

The Solar Bears out-shot the Grizzlies 32-27.

In his first start in net with Orlando, 10-year NHL goaltender Rick Tabaracci made 23 saves.

The Solar Bears were zero-for-eight on the power play, while Utah converted one-for-seven with the man advantage.

Orlando and Utah play again tonight at 9 in Salt Lake City.

Grizzlies 4, Solar Bears 1

Utah 1 2 1 -- 4
Orlando 0 1 0 -- 1

Goals -- Utah, Werenka (3), Neaton (1), Purves (4),

Tallaire (4); Orlando, Beaufait (1). Goalies -- Utah, Parent (32 shots, 31 saves); Orlando, Tabaracci (27 shots, 23 saves).

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