Game Recap: Rawlyk's Goal Gives Solar Bears 3-2 OT Victory Over Monarchs

March 4, 2016

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Orlando Solar Bears (24-22-3-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, were led by Rory Rawlyk’s overtime winner as they defeated the Manchester Monarchs (35-16-2-4) by a 3-2 score in the extra session in front of 3,565 on Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Solar Bears capitalized on their first power play opportunity of the night in the opening frame when Jack Rodewald redirected Brenden Miller’s shot past Michael Houser at 6:38.

Miller also dropped the gloves with Manchester’s Josh Brown after Brown elbowed Patrick Watling at 9:19.

The Monarchs tied the score early in the second period when Joe Diamond snapped the puck past the glove of Rob Madore at 5:07.

Orlando responded less than two minutes later when James Martin teed up a shot from the left point that glanced off a Manchester skater and changed direction to beat Houser at 7:03.

Danick Paquette tied the score again for the Monarchs in the third period at 10:29, and the score remained tied at 2-2 at the conclusion of regulation.

In the extra frame, Rawlyk received a centering pass from Watling as he drove to the net and redirected the puck past Houser at 1:24 of overtime for the victory.

Madore earned the win with 36 saves on 38 shots against; Houser took the overtime loss with 23 stops on 26 shots against.

NOTES:

• With Kalamazoo and Greenville both idle, Orlando automatically moved up to 10th place in the Eastern Conference with the victory.
• Schwartz’s two assists extended his overall point streak to four games (2g-3a).