Bourke, Shaw power Solar Bears past Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. – Troy Bourke and Brady Shaw enjoyed three-point nights and Cody Donaghey buried the game-winning goal in the third period to lift the Orlando Solar Bears (11-8-2-0) to a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Gladiators (5-11-3-0) on Friday night at Infinite Energy Arena.

Click herefor the box score.

The Solar Bears struck first just 1:48 into the game when Jonne Tammela’s shot pinballed off the end boards to the left side of the net, where Troy Bourke backhanded the puck off the skates of a Gladiators defender and past Miroslav Svoboda for his fifth goal of the season to give Orlando a 1-0 lead.

Tanner Pond tied the score at 1-1 with a shorthanded tally that beat Corbin Boes at 10:06.

Derek Nesbitt scored at 4:20 of the second period to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead with a snapshot off the rush that found its way into the upper-left corner of the net.

Mathieu Foget tied the game for Orlando with a shorthanded marker at 11:47, as he stickhandled through an Atlanta skater’s legs and buried a shot past Svoboda to make it 2-2.

The Solar Bears pulled ahead 3-2 when Troy Bourke sent a pass to Brady Shaw just as Shaw exited the penalty box. Shaw hustled into the offensive zone before drilling a slapshot inside the far post from the left circle at 12:36 for his team-leading 13th goal of the season and his fourth goal in as many games.

Shaw returned the favor to Bourke minutes later, as the pair weaved into the offensive zone and Shaw flipped a pass behind the Atlanta defense, allowing Bourke to skate in and tuck the puck past Svoboda at 15:30.

Pond netted a power-play goal at 19:38 to pull the Gladiators back to within a goal heading into the second intermission.

In the third period Otto Somppi set up Donaghey for the eventual game-winner with a pass from the right corner and Donaghey fired a shot past a screened Svoboda at 12:55 to make it 5-3.

Atlanta attempted to mount a late comeback after Brett McKenzie scored with five minutes remaining, but the Solar Bears defense provided some critical blocks and Boes held firm in goal to secure the victory.

Boes picked up the win with 32 saves on 36 shots against; Svoboda took the loss with 12 stops on 17 shots against.

NOTABLES

• Shaw led the Solar Bears with four shots on goal. The forward now has a four-game point streak (4g-3a).
• Tammela finished the night with two assists, and now has a four-game point streak (2g-5a).
• Orlando’s 17 shots on goal were the fewest recorded by the team in a single game this season.

THREE STARS1) Corbin Boes – ORL2) Troy Bourke – ORL3) Tanner Pond – ATL

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return home to host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for the first time this season on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the ARS.comRink at Amway Center for a FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday. The first 100 FAIRWINDS members who show their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card and photo ID at the box office will receive a free pair of tickets to that day’s game. Once the first 100 pairs are claimed, FAIRWINDS members can still take advantage of a buy-one-get-one offer for the game. For more information, visit fairwinds.org/solarbears. CLICK HEREto purchase tickets.

Teddy Bear Toss, Presented by Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic:

The Solar Bears will host their annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic, against the Florida Everblades on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. at the ARS.comRink at Amway Center. The team is currently offering a Buy-One-Donate-One offer to groups of 15 or more attending the Teddy Bear Toss game. For more information, visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/bodo.

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.