Game Recap: Solar Bears Roar Back to Hammer Nailers 5-2

January 8, 2016

WHEELING, W. Va. – The Orlando Solar Bears (14-14-2-3), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, overcame a 2-0 deficit and stormed back with five unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 victory over the Wheeling Nailers (15-14-2-2) in front of 2,363 on Friday night at WesBanco Arena.

Anton Zlobin broke in on Ryan Massa and buried a low shot at 5:50 to open the scoring in the first period.

Jarrett Burton added another tally that banked into the net off the pads of Massa at 9:55.

The Solar Bears found their offensive stride in the second period, as Max Nicastro joined the rush and redirected a Rylan Schwartz centering feed underneath the pads of Franky Palazzese at 1:20.

Nicastro would then spring Johnny McInnis for a breakaway later on in the frame, and McInnis collected his own rebound and snuck it past Palazzese at 8:21 to tie the score at 2-2.

In the third period, the Solar Bears found themselves facing a five-minute penalty kill after Spencer McAvoy was assessed a boarding major and ejected from the game at 2:52, but Orlando held the Nailers at bay, and eventually pulled ahead on a delayed Wheeling penalty when Schwartz snapped the puck low on Palazzese at 10:58.

McInnis gave the Solar Bears some breathing room as he took a pass from newcomer Nicklas Lindberg and roofed a backhand shot above Palazzese at 15:38 for his second goal of the game.

Nicastro closed out the scoring by snapping a one-timer past Palazzese for his second of the night at 19:15 while Orlando was on the power play to seal the game for the Solar Bears.

Massa picked up the win with a 25-save effort on 27 shots against; Palazzese took the loss with 19 stops on 24 shots against.