ORLANDO, Fla. – Newly-appointed captain Kevin Lohan scored less than three minutes into the game, Aaron Luchuk scored the game-winner on a 5-on-3 power-play and Zach Émond made 27 saves in his pro debut as the Orlando Solar Bears (1-0-0-0) began their 10th season in the ECHL with a 3-1 victory in their home opener against the Atlanta Gladiators (0-1-0-0) on Saturday night at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center
1st PeriodORL Goal: Kevin Lohan (1) at 2:58. Assisted by Kyle Topping and Jake McGrew.ATL Goal: Derek Nesbitt (1) at 13:51. Assisted by Xavier Bernard and Tim Davison.SHOTS: ORL 6, ATL 8
2nd PeriodORL Goal: Aaron Luchuk (1) [PP] at 13:51. Assisted by Michael Brodzinski and Jake McGrew.SHOTS: ORL 13, ATL 8
3rd PeriodORL Goal: Kryštof Hrabík (1) [PP] at 16:27. Assisted by Jake McGrew and Aaron Luchuk.SHOTS: ORL 7, ATL 12
GoaltendingORL: Zachary Émond, 27-for-28ATL: Tyler Parks, 23-for-26
NOTABLES:
- Luchuk finished the night with two points (1g-1a).
- The Solar Bears went 2-for-6 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
- Jake McGrew picked up an assist on all three of Orlando’s goals.
- A potential scoring scenario at the 5:43 mark of the second period did not rule in favor of a goal for the Solar Bears that would have made the score 3-1 upon video review.
- Kryštof Hrabík, Luchuk and Kyle Topping tied for the team lead with five shots on goal.
- Orlando is now 5-5-0-0 in home openers.
NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return to action when they visit the Gladiators for Atlanta’s home opener on Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:35 p.m. at GasSouth Arena. Orlando is back home to face the Jacksonville Icemen on Sunday, October 31 at 1 p.m. at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center for “Boo with the Bears” and the first VyStar Credit Union Solar Bears Sunday of the season.
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