Hults scores twice to lift Solar Bears to 3-2 win in Game 2

ORLANDO, Fla. – Mitch Hults scored two second-period goals and the Orlando Solar Bears (1-1) defeated the South Carolina Stingrays (1-1) by a 3-2 score in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals on Friday night at Amway Center.

Click here for the box score.

As was the case on Wednesday in Game 1, the first period was a goaltending duel between Connor Ingram and Parker Milner, as Ingram made breakaway saves on Grant Besse and Patrick Gaul, while Milner made a goal-line stop on Colby McAuley to keep the score 0-0.

Orlando’s forecheck forced a turnover to ignite the offense early in the second period, as Tayler Thompson corralled a bouncing puck and deked to his fore-hand and backhand before sliding the puck along the ice past Milner at the right post at 2:42.

Hults extended Orlando’s lead to two goals when Chris LeBlanc sent a pass from the left corner across the crease to Hults, who buried his first of the postseason at 6:17.

The Solar Bears received an extended power play late in the frame when Mason Mitchel was assessed a match penalty for slew-footing Akim Aliu at 14:43.

Hults got his second of the night on the ensuing power play, as Zach Frye dished the puck to Hults at the right circle. The forward received the pass on his backhand before shifting to his forehand and snapping a shot past a lunging Milner at 16:26 to make it 3-0.

The Stingrays mounted a comeback attempt in the third period, as Besse scored at 7:33 to get South Carolina on the board.

Tad Kozun then pulled the visitors to within one goal of Orlando at 12:45 with Kevin Lohan and Alex Schoenborn in the box for the Solar Bears.

The Stingrays attempted to pull Milner in the final minute of regulation for an extra attacker, but the Solar Bears defense tightened up to secure the victory.

Ingram earned the win with 25 saves on 27 shots against; Milner took the loss with 33 stops on 36 shots against.

THREE STARS1) Mitch Hults – ORL2) Tayler Thompson – ORL3) Connor Ingram – ORL

NOTABLES:

• Hults’ goals broke a 20-game drought for the forward dating back to Jan. 12, when the forward scored in a 5-4 shootout win at Norfolk.
• Dylan Fitze had a multi-point evening, as the forward picked up assists on Thompson’s goal and Hults’ second tally.
• Both teams went 1-for-6 on the power play.
• The Solar Bears outshot the Stingrays 17-4 in the second period, and 36-27 overall. The four shots against in the second period tied a franchise playoff record for the fewest shots against in a period, which previously occurred on April 17, 2015 at Florida (Game 1, East Division Semifinals, third period) and April 17, 2014 vs. Cincinnati (Game 2, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, second period).

NEXT GAME:

The series against the Stingrays now shifts to the North Charleston Coliseum for the next three games, with Game 3 set for Wednesday, April 17 at 7:05 p.m.

2019 Playoffs Presented by XYMOPrint:

Tickets for the Orlando Solar Bears 2019 Playoffs, presented by XYMOPrint, are now on sale. Should the series return to Orlando, Game 6 will be held at Amway Center on Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets now. Tickets can also be purchased via ticketmaster.com or the Amway Center box office.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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 seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play 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.