Solar Bears drop opener to Gladiators

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (0-1-0-0) scored two shorthanded goals in a 23-second span during the second period to erase an initial 2-0 deficit, but the Atlanta Gladiators (1-0-0-0) scored two additional goals during an extended man advantage to deal Orlando a 4-2 loss in front of a sellout crowd of 9,049 on Saturday night at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

After a scoreless first period in which Orlando’s Martin Ouellette and Atlanta’s Miroslav Svoboda each made several impressive stops for their clubs, fans witnessed an offensive explosion in the second frame.

Matt Lane struck first for the Gladiators at the 1:31 mark, and Tyler Moy converted with the power play at 8:32 to put Orlando in a 2-0 hole.

The Solar Bears responded to another penalty with two shorthanded goals in a 23-second span, as Brady Shaw beat Svoboda through the five-hole at 9:20 and Hunter Fejes jammed a loose puck past the goaltender at 9:43 to even the score at 2-2.

A scrap involving several players from both teams at 14:45 forced Orlando into a 5-on-3 penalty kill, and the Gladiators capitalized on the man advantage with strikes from Olivier Galipeau at 15:44 and Joel Messner at 16:43 to give the visitors a 4-2 edge and ultimately cap the scoring.

Ouellette took the loss with 33 saves on 37 shots against, while Svoboda earned the victory by stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced.

NOTABLES

• Shaw paced Orlando with five shots on goal.
• Brent Pedersen led the Solar Bears with a +2, and provided the secondary assist on Fejes’ goal.

THREE STARS1) Olivier Galipeau – ATL2) Ben Danford – ATL3) Hunter Fejes – ORL

NEXT GAME: Orlando hosts the South Carolina Stingrays on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, as the team continues the 2018-19 season, presented by XYMOPrint. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

2018-19 SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS: Season Ticket Memberships for the seventh season of ECHL Orlando Solar Bears hockey are now on sale. Full and Half-Season memberships are both available, starting as low as $270. For more information, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com.

About the Orlando Solar Bears:The Orlando Solar Bears are members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America, and have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in four of six seasons. The Solar Bears are also 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.