ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears (26-28-5-1) could not combat a four-point night from opposing forward Nathan Perkovich, as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-29-4-1) dealt Orlando a 7-2 loss on Wednesday night at the Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center.
Orlando remains in fifth place in the South Division; Orlando can jump up to fourth place with a regulation or overtime win on Friday at Atlanta.
The Swamp Rabbits tallied four goals in the first period, with Nathan Perkovich (5:06), Joe Masonius (7:16), Liam Pecararo (12:22; PP) and Matt Marcinew (15:17; PP) giving the visitors a sizable advantage within the first 20 minutes of play.
Perkovich scored again at 11:22 of the second period before Rich Boyd (14:13) and Trevor Olson (16:20; SH) scored to get Orlando on the board.
Starting netminder Patrick Munson was replaced with Jeff Smith following Michael Pelech’s power-play goal at 17:29, and Marcinew added his second of the evening at 7:53 of the third period.
Munson took the loss with 17 saves on 23 shots against, while Smith went 10-of-11 in relief; Jeremy Helvig earned the win for Greenville with 32 stops on 34 shots against.
THREE STARS:
- Nathan Perkovich – GVL
- Matt Marcinew – GVL
- Jeremy Helvig – GVL
OTHER NOTABLES:
- Despite the loss, Orlando requires only 24 more points to secure a playoff spot, following Jacksonville’s loss at Florida
- Olson’s goal was Orlando’s 15th shorthanded goal of the season, matching the club’s previous single-season mark set in 2018-19
- Olson scored for the second straight game; he now has 2g-1a over his last two contests; the goal was his fourth shorthanded goal of the season, tying Mathieu Foget (2018-19) for the team record for most shorthanded goals scored by an individual player in a single season
NEXT GAME:
Orlando visits the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday, March 6 at 7:35 p.m. at Infinite Energy Arena. The Solar Bears return home to host the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. for a Wine Down Wednesday – fans can take advantage of $5 wine specials during the game. CLICK HERE for tickets to this game.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers