Solar Bears Earn Point to Head into Holiday Break
Published on December 23, 2018 under ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
ESTERO, Fla. - One night after picking up a 4-3 overtime win on home ice against their division rivals, the Orlando Solar Bears (14-11-3-0) scored three goals in a 53-second span in the third period to take a 5-3 lead, but it was not enough to power Orlando to a second straight victory as the Florida Everblades (18-6-5-0) rallied and completed the comeback to deal Orlando a 6-5 overtime loss on Saturday night at Hertz Arena.
Cody Donaghey scored his first of two goals in the game just three minutes into the opening period to give Orlando a 1-0 lead after Chris LeBlanc won a faceoff back to the blue line, and Donaghey fired the puck past a screened Jeremy Helvig for his fifth of the season.
The Everblades reeled off three straight goals in the second period to take a 3-1 lead, as Zach Nastasiuk (11:32) converted on the power play and Derek Sheppard (15:12) and Matt Finn (15:55) found twine to put the home team up by two.
Late in the frame, Ryan Lough pulled the Solar Bears back to within a goal of Florida during a delayed penalty against the Everblades, as Lough wheeled to the top of the offensive zone and beat Helvig from the high slot at 18:09.
Donaghey started Orlando's third-period scoring binge during a 4-on-3 man advantage with a one-timer from the left circle at 4:05.
Mike Monfredo netted his third of the season at 4:34 to give the Solar Bears a 4-3 lead when the defenseman crept up through the left circle and redirected a centering feed from Mitch Hults from along the right wall.
LeBlanc made it 5-3 when he received a stretch pass from Donaghey at center ice and broke in alone on Helvig and buried his fourth of the season at 4:58. The three-goal run in 53 seconds for Orlando was three seconds shy of the fastest three goals in team history, set on Jan. 18, 2014 at Florida in a 6-5 regulation loss.
Sheppard halved Orlando's lead with his second of the night at 12:29 when his shot from the high slot struck the crossbar and deflected past Corbin Boes at 12:29 to cut the Solar Bears lead to 5-4.
The Everblades then tied the game at 5-5 with Helvig pulled for an extra attacker and Michael Brodzinski in the penalty box for Orlando, as John McCarron collected a blocked shot and shelved the puck past Boes at 18:32 to force overtime for the second straight evening between both clubs.
Justin Auger completed Florida's comeback at the 3:17 mark of the extra period as Logan Roe dished the puck to Auger in the high slot and the forward wristed a shot past a screened Boes to secure the additional point for the Everblades.
Boes took the overtime loss with a season-high 39 saves on 45 shots against; Helvig earned the win with a 16-save performance on 21 shots against.
NOTABLES
Orlando leads the regular season series with a 3-1-1-0 record against Florida.
Despite the overtime loss, the Solar Bears maintain a four-game point road point streak (3-0-1-0) heading into their next game on Thursday, Dec. 27 at Jacksonville.
Hults led the Solar Bears with five shots on goal; his assist on Monfredo's goal gives the forward a three-game point streak (3g-1a).
LeBlanc finished the evening with a goal and an assist for his second consecutive two-point outing.
THREE STARS
1) Derek Sheppard - FLA
2) Matt Finn - FLA
3) Justin Auger - FLA
NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return from the holiday break with a road game against the Jacksonville Icemen on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Arena. Orlando is back at home when the team hosts Jacksonville on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the game.
Festive Four Packs presented by CenturyLink
Get the perfect holiday stocking stuffer when you purchase a Festive Four Pack, presented by CenturyLink! Pick any four games and get $65 dollars in gift certificates to Dick's Sporting Goods, Duffy's Sports Grill, QDOBA Mexican Eats and a FREE center ice ticket to the Saturday, Dec. 29 game against the Jacksonville Icemen! Packs start as low as $69.99.
2018-19 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:
The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to have local digital printing experts XYMOPrint as the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 season. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2019 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 30% off their first order of 500 business cards.
2018-19 Single-Game Tickets Now on Sale:
Single-game tickets for the Orlando Solar Bears 2018-19 regular season home schedule are now on sale. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for as little as $15 at the Amway Center box office, or online at Ticketmaster.com.
2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships:
Season Ticket Memberships for the seventh season of ECHL Orlando Solar Bears hockey are now on sale. Full and Half-Season memberships are both available, starting as low as $270. For more information, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com.
ECHL Stories from December 23, 2018
- ECHL Transactions - December 23 - ECHL
- Thunder Announce Pair of Roster Moves - Adirondack Thunder
- Grizzlies Lose 7-3 to Steelheads in Boise - Utah Grizzlies
- Late Goals Bury Americans in 4-3 Loss to Cincinnati - Allen Americans
- Steelheads Offense Comes Alive in 7-3 Win over Grizzlies - Idaho Steelheads
- Solar Bears Earn Point to Head into Holiday Break - Orlando Solar Bears
- Glotov's Winner Propels 'Clones to Thrilling Victory - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Thunder Escapes Rapid City with 2-1 Victory - Wichita Thunder
- Florida Overcomes Late Deficit in 6-5 OT Win over Orlando - Florida Everblades
- Indy Rides into Holiday Break with Huge Victory in Kalamazoo - Indy Fuel
- Pleskach Scores Four in Loss to Mavericks - Tulsa Oilers
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