Game Recap: Solar Bears Rally in Third to Double Up Gladiators 4-2

February 13, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (21-19-2-4), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, rallied from down 2-1 to defeat the Atlanta Gladiators (26-18-3-2) by a 4-2 score and match a season-high four-game win streak in front of a crowd of 6,894 on Saturday night at the Amway Center.

The two teams each racked up 14 shots on goal in the opening frame, but the goaltenders were equal to the task, with Atlanta’s Matt Ginn making a point-blank save on Erik Bradford at 7:40, and Ryan Massa denying the Gladiators during a 2-on-1 at 8:00.

The Solar Bears opened the scoring in the second period when Bradford received a pass from Matt Rupert and beat Ginn at 8:45. The lead was short-lived, however, as Derek Nesbitt notched the tying score at 9:01. Thomas Frazee then converted on a power play for the Gladiators at 9:01 to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Orlando mounted its comeback attempt in the third period, as Rory Rawlyk ripped a shot from the left circle that beat Ginn at 4:41 to even the score.

Brenden Miller then converted on a feed from Jack Rodewald to bury his first career pro goal at 12:34 to allow Orlando to retake the lead.

The Solar Bears sealed the win with Johnny McInnis’ empty-net goal at 19:40.

Massa earned the win with 35 saves on 37 shots against; Ginn took the loss with 36 stops on 39 shots against.

NOTES:

• With the victory, Orlando moved past the Wheeling Nailers, who were idle this evening, into 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
• Rodewald and Eric Baier each finished the night with two assists.
• Baier and Eric Faille’s assists on Rawlyk’s goal gave each player 100 career ECHL points (Baier - 31g-70a in 269 games; Faille - 43g-54a in 78 games).