Thompson lifts Solar Bears to comeback win against Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. – Despite playing with only 14 skaters and facing a 2-0 deficit after the first period, the Orlando Solar Bears (21-17-3-0) rallied to force overtime and Tayler Thompson lifted Orlando to a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Gladiators (13-19-6-1) on Saturday night at Infinite Energy Arena.

Click here for the box score.

Avery Peterson opened the scoring for the Gladiators just 2:52 into the contest with a power-play goal that beat Martin Ouellette.

Filip Pyrochta then extended Atlanta’s lead to two goals at 9:19.

Trevor Olson got Orlando on the board at 12:39 of the second period with a power-play goal when he knocked in a loose puck past Sean Bonar for his seventh goal of the season.

Colby McAuley evened the score at 8:18 of the third period after he scooped up a feed from Jonne Tammela in the slot and slipped the puck past Bonar for his seventh of the season.

After 60 minutes of regulation, the game remained tied, ensuring Orlando would earn at least a point from the game. It was the 10th game that had been extended to overtime this season for the Solar Bears.

In overtime, Ouellette came up big with a breakaway save on Gladiators sniper Nick Bligh to keep the score tied 2-2.

Thompson netted the winner at 2:13 of the extra frame when he collected the puck off the right half-boards and circled back into the slot before stuffing the puck past Bonar.

Ouellette picked up the victory with 32 saves on 34 shots against; Bonar took the overtime loss with 21 stops on 24 shots against.

THREE STARS1) Tayler Thompson – ORL2) Matt Lane – ATL3) Martin Ouellette – ORL

NOTABLES

• Orlando is now 4-1-0-0 against Atlanta this season, and is tied with Idaho for the league lead with six wins in overtime.
• McAuley’s goal gives the forward a five-game point streak (3g-3a).
• Tammela’s assist on McAuley’s goal extended his point streak to three games (3g-4a).
• Michael Brodzinski finished the night with two assists for Orlando.

NEXT GAMES: The Solar Bears continue their road trip when they face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Solar Bears return home to host the Jacksonville Icemen on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. for a Wine Down Wednesday. Fans can take advantage of $5 wine specials during the game. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for the game.

Fighting Four Packs presented by CenturyLink:

Gear up for the second half of the 2018-19 season with a Fighting Four Pack, presented by CenturyLink! Pick any four remaining home games and get $65 dollars in gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods, First Watch, QDOBA Mexican Eats and a FREE center ice ticket to the Saturday, Feb. 23 game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, part of Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend, presented by XYMOPrint. Packs start as low as $69.99 – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

2018-19 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to have local digital printing experts XYMOPrint as 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 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 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.