Solar Bears rally to earn point in 3-2 OT loss to Gladiators

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tayler Thompson scored his first of the season to ignite the Teddy Bear Toss and a comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the second period, but the Orlando Solar Bears (8-9-4-1) ultimately fell in overtime to the Atlanta Gladiators (10-10-0-0) by a 3-2 score on Saturday night at the Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center. The Solar Bears concluded the week with a 3-0-1-0 record, its best four-game stretch on home ice this season, and remain ahead of the Gladiators for fourth place in the South Division.

Box Score

Tommy Marchin opened the scoring when he redirected a shot from the blue line by Zach Malatesta past Zachary Fucale at 6:41 of the first period to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Atlanta extended its advantage to two goals when Eric Neiley tipped a shot from Logan Nelson in the slot past Fucale at 15:02.

Thompson started the rally for the Solar Bears in the second with an unassisted shorthanded goal, as the forward stole the puck from Joel Messner at the Orlando blue line and sped up the ice before faking out Sean Bonar and sliding the puck past the goaltender at 7:26, sending a flurry of teddy bears and other stuffed animals to the ice, and cutting the deficit in half.

Tristin Langan evened the score less than two minutes later when he roofed a rebound from Alexey Lipanov past Bonar at 9:19 for his fifth of the season.

For the third time this week, Orlando would play beyond regulation as the score remained time at the conclusion of the third period.

Neiley won it for the Gladiators when he one-timed a pass from Scott Conway past the blocker of Fucale 4:24 into the extra frame.

Fucale took the overtime loss with 31 saves on 34 shots against; Bonar earned the victory with 36 saves on 38 shots against.

THREE STARS:

1. Eric Neiley – ATL
2. Tayler Thompson – ORL
3. Tommy Marchin – ATL  

NOTABLES:

• Fucale finished the week with a 2-0-1 record, a 2.82 goals-against average and a save percentage of .906; his season-long save percentage of .930 ranks fourth in the ECHL
• Langan’s goal extended his point streak to four games (2g-2a), the longest point streak by a Solar Bears player this season
• Langan also tied with Blake Kessel (2g-2a), Michael Brodzinski (0g-4a), Colby McAuley (1g-3a) and Jake Coughler (2g-2a) for the team scoring lead this week
• Cody Donaghey led Orlando with six shots on goal  

NEXT GAMES:

The Solar Bears hit the road for their next four games, starting Tuesday, Dec. 10 when they visit to the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum at 7:05 p.m. The Solar Bears return home to face the Kansas City Mavericks for the first time since the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, Dec. 18 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 this game.

Purchase Single-Game Tickets:

Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.

Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. Replica jerseys are available for purchase online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place their order today.

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.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

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.