Gudbranson lifts Solar Bears to 4-3 OT victory over Icemen

ORLANDO, Fla. – Alex Gudbranson enjoyed a two-point night and netted his first goal of the season to lift the Orlando Solar Bears (12-13-4-1) to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Icemen (7-15-3-2) on Wednesday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Orlando’s win – combined with Atlanta’s 4-0 loss to Florida – also allowed the Solar Bears to jump up into fourth place in the South Division. It is the first time since Oct. 28 that Orlando has occupied a playoff spot.

Click here for the box score

SCORING SUMMARY

Orlando: Joshua Winquist , Todd Skirving (Alex Gudbranson, Joe Perry), Perry (Sam Jardine, Chris LeBlanc), Gudbranson (Kristian Pospisil, Max Novak)

Goaltender: Mackenzie Skapski (30/33)

Jacksonville: Cameron Critchlow (Jimmy Lodge, Christopher Dienes), Scott Savage (Critchlow, Lodge), Critchlow (Chris Joseph, Lodge)

Goaltender: Austin Lotz (29/33)

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Joshua Winquist got Orlando on the board at 5:12 of the second period with a power-play strike that he backhanded past Austin Lotz at the side of the net for his 10th goal of the season.
• Todd Skirving made an impact in his return to the lineup for the Solar Bears when he tied the score at 2-2 at 7:54 of the frame after he corralled an Alex Gudbranson rebound and knocked the puck past Lotz for his fourth goal of the season.
• Joe Perry tied the score at 3-3 with his third of the season at 1:38 of the third period shortly after a double-minor penalty to Jacksonville’s Tim Daly had expired. Perry also provided the secondary assist on Skirving’s goal. The alternate captain now has a two-game point streak (2g-1a).
• Chris LeBlanc picked up the secondary assist on Perry’s goal, giving the rookie a two-game point streak (1g-1a)
• Alex Gudbranson netted the game-winner for Orlando at 2:01 of the extra session when he received a pass from Kristian Pospisil from the corner and snapped a shot past Lotz for his first goal of the season. He also picked up his second assist of the season by setting up Skirving’s tally.
• Kristian Pospisil fed Gudbranson for the overtime game-winner.
• Max Novak earned the secondary assist on Gudbranson’s goal, giving the forward a two-game assist streak (3a).
• Mackenzie Skapski picked up his second win of the season by making 30 saves on 33 shots against.

NOTABLES

• The Solar Bears went 1-for-3 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
• Skirving led Orlando with six shots on goal.
• The Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

THREE STARS1) Alex Gudbranson – ORL2) Kyle Rankin – ORL3) Cameron Critchlow – JAX

About the Orlando Solar Bears:The Orlando Solar Bears are in their sixth season of operation in the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America, and are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

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