Game Recap: Solar Bears Force OT But Edged by Wings, 4-3

February 29, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (23-22-3-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, rallied to tie the game with seconds remaining in regulation, but couldn’t finish off their opponent as they fell to the Kalamazoo Wings (25-24-4-1) by a 4-3 score in overtime in front of 4,661 on Monday night at the Amway Center.

Orlando took the early lead in the first period when Max Nicastro stretched a pass across the neutral zone to T.J. Foster, who raced in on a breakaway and beat Joel Martin at 2:58.

Kalamazoo countered with a goal near the end of the stanza when Justin Kovacs flipped the puck into the slot from the left circle and Alex Mallet knocked the puck past Rob Madore at 17:46.

The Solar Bears regained the lead in the second period when Austin Block made his way beneath the goal line from the right side and directed a backhand pass to Foster who roofed a shot above Martin at 11:43.

Cory Pritz tied it up once again in the third frame when the defenseman picked up the loose puck in the slot and wristed it past Madore at 7:27.

The K-Wings then pulled ahead with a rebound goal from Justin Taylor at 18:36, forcing the Solar Bears to pull Madore for an extra skater. With time ticking away, Patrick Watling sent a pass across the slot to Rylan Schwartz, who redirected the puck past the blocker of Martin at 19:58.

Although the Solar Bears secured a point at the end of regulation, Kalamazoo picked up the win at 0:58 of overtime when Mallet grabbed a rebound and flung the puck into the net from the edge of the crease.

Madore took the overtime loss with 33 saves on 37 shots against; Martin picked up the win with 33 stops on 36 shots against.

NOTES:

• Orlando concluded its season-high nine-game homestand with a 4-3-1-1 record. The Solar Bears were 6-4-1-1 overall in the month of February.