Warriors Rip 51 Shots But Suffer Shootout Loss to Orlando
January 23, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
ORLANDO, FL - The Greenville Road Warriors (25-14-2) recorded a season-high 51 shots and clawed back from a pair of two-goal deficits on Friday, but suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to the Orlando Solar Bears (18-14-3) at the Amway Center.
Kyle Jean, Josh Nicholls and Chris McCarthy each found the back of the net in regulation for Greenville, while Solar Bears' netminder Garrett Sparks stopped the other 48 shots he faced for the victory. Orlando's Carson McMillan and Denver Manderson were the only players to score in a four-round shootout.
Despite a season-high 22 shots for the Road Warriors in the first period, Orlando grabbed a 1-0 lead after the opening frame with Brett Findlay's ninth goal of the season. From the Orlando zone, Findlay forced the puck past Mike Banwell at the blue line and skated in transition on a breakaway. As he neared the crease, Findlay slipped a low shot through the five-hole of goaltender Jason Missiaen for the unassisted tally.
The Solar Bears extended their lead at 4:32 of the middle frame when Brady Vail notched his third goal of the season. Scott Tanski started the attack in the neutral zone as he found David Broll on the left side. With little time to spare, Broll immediately fed the puck to Vail on the right wing, who ripped a forehand shot from the circle that beat Missiaen blocker-side.
Orlando nearly cruised to a three-goal advantage midway through the second period when Stefan Della Rovere converted a one-time redirection from the door step. However, referee Andrew Wilk confirmed the puck was kicked in by Della Rovere's skate, which negated the tally.
The Road Warriors used the power play to cut their deficit to one just 42 seconds into the third period. With McMillian and Manderson in the box for high-sticking and tripping respectively, Jean capitalized on a rebound chance from the door step created by Vinny Saponari's drive from the blue line. The tally was Jean's 11th of the season and team-leading fifth on the man advantage.
Mike Ulrich regained Orlando's two-goal lead just 2:12 later when he finished a feed from Bryce Aneloski at even strength for his ninth of the season at the 2:55 mark.
Greenville answered for a second time at 7:08 of the third period courtesy of Josh Nicholls' power-play tally. After McMillan was called for hooking just 13 seconds prior, Spencer Humphries fired a blast from the perimeter that was knocked down in front before Nicholls punched it home for his 12th goal of the season.
The Road Warriors continued to claw back at the 9:31 mark and evened the game when Chris McCarthy registered his ninth goal of the season. From the right wing, McCarthy collected a pass from Jean and forced a low shot past Sparks for the equalizer.
Following a five-minute overtime session that saw Orlando outshoot Greenville 7-2, the Solar Bears earned the shootout win with goals from Manderson and McMillan.
The contest also included two tilts in the second period. Bretton Cameron and Yan Sauve dropped the gloves at the 17:39 mark, while Sam Noreau and Della Rovere went head-to-head at 18:28.
The Road Warriors finished the game 2-for-6 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Missiaen (9-5-2) made 38 saves, but suffered the loss.
Greenville outshot Orlando 51-42.
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