Game Recap: Solar Bears Burned by Gilbert's Hat Trick in 5-2 Loss to Wings

February 26, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (23-21-2-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, endured a hat trick performance by David Gilbert as they were defeated by the Kalamazoo Wings (23-24-4-1) by a 5-2 score in front of 5,721 on Friday night at the Amway Center.

The Wings broke open the scoring with two early goals in the first period, as Gilbert beat Rob Madore at 2:05, and Ludwig Blomstrand extended Kalamazoo’s lead at 3:37.

Orlando got on the board in the second period when Eric Faille converted on a feed from Patrick Watling for a power-play goal at 2:12.

Gilbert added two more goals at 13:16 and 15:07 to complete the hat trick.

The Solar Bears pulled back to within two when Faille returned the favor to Watling and dished the puck to Watling beneath the right circle for a one-timer past Martin at 15:45.

Orlando replaced Madore with Ryan Massa in goal to start the third period, but the change in goal did not spark a swing in momentum for the Solar Bears, as Kalamazoo’s Dane Fox wired a shot from the right circle on a delayed penalty at 7:00 to cap the scoring at 5-2.

Madore took the loss with 28 saves on 32 shots against in 39:48 of work, while Massa made 13 saves on 14 shots against in 20 minutes of relief; Martin picked up the win with 28 stops on 30 shots against.