Game Recap: Solar Bears Storm Back to Beat Monarchs 3-2 in Shootout

March 6, 2016

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Orlando Solar Bears (25-23-3-5), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, roared back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period en route to a 3-2 shootout win over the Manchester Monarchs (36-16-2-5) in front of 4,467 on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Wireless Arena.

Manchester opened the scoring in the first period when Zach Larraza redirected Michael Boivin’s feed from the right circle underneath Ryan Massa at 8:48.

Joe Diamond extended the Monarchs lead less than a minute later, beating Massa at 9:45.

Neither team scored in the second period, although Orlando took a 20-19 shots on goal lead, as Massa stopped all 10 shots he faced in the middle frame.

The Solar Bears finally solved Doug Carr midway through the third period when Erik Bradford banged home a loose puck at 12:03, with Rory Rawlyk and Austin Block providing the assists.

During a late 5-on-4 situation with Massa pulled for the extra attacker, Patrick Watling passed the puck from the right circle across the slot to Rylan Schwartz, who one-timed a shot past Carr at 18:27 to tie the score.

The game couldn’t be decided in the remaining time in regulation or in overtime, forcing the game to a shootout.

In the third round, Nicklas Lindberg used a one-handed move after faking out Carr to tuck the puck past the goaltender’s glove side, and Massa stopped Mark Anthoine to seal the win for the Solar Bears.

Massa picked up the win with 31 saves on 33 shots against; Carr took the shootout loss with 31 stops on 33 shots against.

NOTES:

• With Kalamazoo idle, Orlando moved up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference with the victory. The Solar Bears (58 points) are one point behind Greenville, which defeated Atlanta earlier in the afternoon.
• Watling’s assist on Schwartz’s goal extended his overall point streak to six games (1g-6a).