Game Recap: Baier Leads Solar Bears to 4-3 OT Win Over Elmira

February 14, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (22-19-2-4), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, were bolstered by a season-high 52 saves from Rob Madore and a two-goal effort from Eric Baier as they prevailed over the Elmira Jackals (25-22-2-1) by a 4-3 score in overtime for their season-high fifth consecutive win in front of a crowd of 5,411 on Sunday evening at the Amway Center.

The Jackals came out of the gate flying in the first period, outshooting the Solar Bears by a 19-8 margin. Orlando managed to get the lone tally late in the frame when Eric Baier snagged a rolling puck in the slot and outwaited Alex Vazzano before depositing it into the net at 19:46 to give the Solar Bears the lead.

Matt Garbowsky evened the score for the Jackals at 3:30 of the second period with a toe-drag goal, but Jack Rodewald made it 2-1 for Orlando after some tic-tac-toe passing with Brady Vail and Nicklas Lindberg.

Mark Bennett tied it again for Elmira when he beat Rob Madore at 10:22, but the Solar Bears drew a penalty against the Jackals and shortly after the home team won the faceoff, Jack Rodewald was able to knock down Matt Rupert’s shot and shift the puck to his forehand before lifting it past Vazzano at 14:59.

The Jackals tied the score with a power-play goal of their own in the third period when Kyle Bushee blasted a shot from the left point through the pads of Madore at 12:01.

A few moments later, Madore made a highlight-reel save on Cason Hohmann and Justin Bernhardt with a little over four minutes remaining in regulation.

After a full 60 minutes, the score remained tied, forcing overtime for the second time this weekend for Orlando.

The Solar Bears earned their first overtime win of the season on home ice when Baier broke down the right side and snapped the puck over the glove of Vazzano at 3:41 of the extra session.

Madore picked up the win with 52 saves on 55 shots against; Vazzano took the overtime loss with 26 stops on 30 shots against.

NOTES:

• With the victory, Orlando moved to within two points of Greenville for ninth place in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference; the Jackals moved past Greenville into eighth place with the point earned by reaching overtime.
• Eric Faille finished the night with three assists for Orlando.