Solar Bears earn point in 3-2 OT loss to Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Goals from Brent Pedersen and Dylan Fitze helped the Orlando Solar Bears (4-3-1-0) pick up a point, but Orlando ultimately fell 3-2 in overtime to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-5-1-0) on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Click herefor the box score.

Both teams played through a scoreless first period, as Martin Ouellette made 15 stops in the opening frame for Orlando.

Greenville struck first in the second period with a power-play goal from Johno May at 7:48.

Fitze then tied the score at 1-1 for the Solar Bears after Troy Bourke brought the puck around the Greenville net and fed Pedersen in the slot – Pedersen’s attempt struck the right post, but Fitze was positioned at the side of the net to stuff the loose puck over the goal line past Garrett Bartus at 8:50.

Orlando pulled ahead with a power-play goal at 13:17 after Pedersen knocked in a Cody Donaghey rebound past Bartus, while Bourke picked up his second assist of the night.

May scored his second of the evening for Greenville at 14:20, bringing the score even at 2-2.

The third period featured a flurry of chances for both teams, but neither squad could break the stalemate, forcing overtime at the conclusion of regulation.

Chris Izmirlian ended the game at 4:22 of the extra frame when he teamed up with May on a 2-on-1 situation and gloved May’s pass down before roofing a backhand shot over the shoulder of Ouellette to give Greenville the victory.

Ouellette took the overtime loss with 27 saves on 30 shots against; Bartus picked up the win for Greenville with 42 stops on 44 shots against.

NOTABLES

• Hunter Fejes saw his seven-game point streak (7g-4a) come to an end, as he was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season.
• Pedersen’s goal and assist extended the rookie forward’s point streak to four games (2g-3a).
• Fitze’s goal gives the rookie forward a two-game point streak (2g-1a).
• Etienne Boutet led Orlando with seven shots on goal.

THREE STARS1) Chris Izmirlian – GRN2) Johno May – GRN3) Michael Pelech – GRN

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears complete their weekend series with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Orlando’s next home game will be the team’s School Day Game against the Jacksonville Icemen on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. CLICK HEREto purchase tickets.

2018-19 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to have local digital printing experts XYMOPrintas the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 season. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2019 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 30% off their first order of 500 business cards.

2018-19 Single-Game Tickets Now on Sale:

Single-game tickets for the Orlando Solar Bears 2018-19 regular season home schedule are now on sale. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for as little as $15 at the Amway Center box office, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships:

Season Ticket Membershipsfor 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 the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In six seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs four times. 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.