Winquist nets OT-winner for Solar Bears against Americans

ALLEN, Texas – Chris Crane scored twice in regulation, and Josh Winquist netted the game winner in overtime as the Orlando Solar Bears (2-1-0-0) prevailed 4-3 over the Allen Americans (3-0-1-0) to take a weekend split on Sunday afternoon at the Allen Event Center.

Click here for the box score.

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Matias Cleland, Chris Crane (Max Novak, Zach Stepan), Crane (Novak, Nolan Valleau), Josh Winquist (Valleau, Stepan)

Goaltenders: Kasimir Kaskisuo (35/38)

Allen: Alex Schoenborn (Tanner Eberle, Jaynen Rissling), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Peter MacArthur, Eric Roy), David Makowski (Joel Chouinard, MacArthur)

Goaltender: Stephon Williams (31/35)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Kasimir Kaskisuo outwaited Zach Hall on a penalty shot to deny the Americans a chance at an early lead at 5:05 of the first period. The goalie finished the afternoon with 35 total saves for his first win of the season for the Solar Bears.
• Matias Cleland netted his first of the season for Orlando shortly after he finished serving a high-sticking penalty to make it 1-0 midway through the opening frame. Cleland stole the puck from an Allen defender in the Orlando zone and raced down the ice before trickling the puck through the pads of Stephon Williams at 7:22 for an unassisted goal.
• Chris Crane tallied his first goal of the season when he redirected a pass along the ice to beat Williams at the right post at 17:23 to make the score 2-1. He later gave Orlando a 3-2 lead at 0:21 of the third period. Crane now possesses a three-game point streak (2g-2a).
• Max Novak had the primary assists on both of Crane’s goals, and led the Solar Bears with five shots on goal.
• Zach Stepan picked up his first professional point in only his second career game with the secondary helper on Crane’s goal in the first period; he added another assist on the eventual game-winner by Josh Winquist.
• Josh Winquist buried the game-winning tally at 3:34 of the overtime period when he made his way down the right side and cut towards the front of the net, one-handing the puck underneath Stephon Williams’ poke-check attempt and finishing the play with a shot into an open net.

NOTABLES

• Kristian Pospisil did not return to the game after a first period collision with Allen’s David Makowski.
• Both Crane and Stepan tied for the team lead in plus-minus with a +3, matching the previous single-game high of the season set by Nolan Valleau and Alex Gudbranson on Oct. 14 at Jacksonville.
• Orlando scored the first goal of the game for the first time this season.
• Orlando is now 2-0-0-0 when leading after the first period.
• This is the first time Orlando has played at least two games beyond regulation through the first three games of a season.
• Orlando now sits in third place in the South Division, tied in points with South Carolina (seeded second, 1.000 win percentage) and Norfolk (seeded fourth, .400 win percentage).
• The Solar Bears return home for Opening Weekend, presented by Coors Light, against the Atlanta Gladiators on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m. Fans can purchase BOGO tickets for both games by visiting com/coors.

THREE STARS1) Josh Winquist – ORL2) Chris Crane – ORL3) Peter MacArthur – ALN

The Orlando Solar Bears drop the puck on their 2017-18 home schedule on Saturday, Oct. 28 against the Atlanta Gladiators at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and play all of their home games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Full Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017-18 season are on sale now. Purchase an Orlando Solar Bears Full Season Ticket Membership for as little as $440 today! Click here or call (407) 951-8200 for more information.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.