Solar Bears give Icemen a fright in 5-4 overtime win

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aaron Luchuk enjoyed a four-point afternoon and a record-setting three-goal performance in the second period, while Jake McGrew netted the game-winning goal in extra time as the Orlando Solar Bears (2-1-0-0) suffered defeated the Jacksonville Icemen (2-1-0-0) by a 5-4 score in overtime on Sunday afternoon at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.

Luchuk gave Orlando a 2-1 lead with his first of the day just 29 seconds into the middle stanza, before the Icemen reeled off two straight to take a 3-2 edge, but Luchuk added a power-play marker from the right circle at 11:47 and then completed the hat trick at 12:36 to record three goals in a span of 12:07, shattering the previous mark of 12:35 held by Dan Gendur (Dec. 28, 2012 vs. Florida).

McGrew won it 32 seconds into overtime for the Solar Bears after he took a cross-crease feed from Kyle Topping and beat Icemen goaltender Francois Brassard with a shot to the glove side. McGrew also fought with Jacksonville’s Austin McEneney at 10:57 of the second period following a hit from McEneney that resulted in a power play that led to Luchuk’s second goal of the game.

The Solar Bears improved to a lifetime 21-0-0-0 record on home ice against the Icemen with the victory.

BOX SCORE

1st PeriodORL Goal: Nick Bligh (1) at 10:13. Assisted by Kryštof Hrabík and Jackson Keane.JAX Goal: Abbott Girduckis (1) at 10:40. Assisted by Christopher Brown.SHOTS: ORL 7, JAX 8

2nd PeriodORL Goal: Aaron Luchuk (2) at 0:29. Assited by Montana Onyebuchi and Kyle Topping.JAX Goal: Ara Nazarian (2) [PP] at 6:10. Assisted by Abbott Girduckis and Brandon Fortunato.JAX Goal: Jake Elmer (3) at 10:46. Assisted by Craig Martin and Brandon Fortunato.ORL Goal: Aaron Luchuk (3) [PP] at 11:47. Assisted by Michael Brodzinski and Kyle Topping.ORL Goal: Aaron Luchuk (4) at 12:36. Assisted by Joseph Garreffa and Chad Duchesne.SHOTS: ORL 15, JAX 10

3rd PeriodJAX Goal: Abbott Girduckis (2) [SH] at 15:22. Assisted by Ara Nazarian and Zach Berzolla.SHOTS: ORL 5, JAX 5

OvertimeORL Goal: Jake McGrew (3) at 0:32. Assisted by Kyle Topping and Aaron Luchuk.SHOTS: ORL 1, JAX 0

GoaltendingORL: Zachary Émond, 19-for-23JAX: Francois Brassard, 23-for-28

NOTABLES:

• Orlando played the game short one skater with defenseman Luke McInnis out of the lineup, while the Solar Bears dressed forward Steenn Pasichnuk as the team’s fifth defenseman.
• Luchuk ended the day tied for the league lead in scoring with eight points (4g-4a) through three games; he has recorded a multi-point game in three consecutive contests. The game was Luchuk’s third career four-point match. Luchuk led the Solar Bears with five shots on goal.
• Kyle Topping recorded three assists, matching his previous career-best.
• McGrew extended his point streak to three games (3g-3a).
• Forward Ian Parker made his professional debut for Orlando, recording two shots on goal.
• Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power play; Orlando is 5-for-13 (38.5%) to begin the season.
• The win was Drake Berehowsky’s 198th as head coach for Orlando.  

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears make their lone visit of the season to Norfolk when they open up a two-game set against the Admirals on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope. The Solar Bears return home to face the Icemen on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.