Some nights the goalies just have it — both goalies. But someone has to win.
The Orlando Solar Bears were the ones to break through when Johnny McInnis was the only one of seven shooters in the shootout to score to give the Orlando Solar Bears a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Gladiators at the Amway Center on Friday.
The Solar Bears put together a solid defensive performance with Ryan Massa anchoring the team in net with 30 saves.
“It was as gutty of an effort as our team’s had,” coach Anthony Noreen told the Orlando Sentinel. “We just did a great job of limiting their space, checking and keeping them to the outside. When we did give up shots, it was outside of the house [crease]. We gave up a lot of shots before the first media timeout, but we limited them after, and that was something I liked.”
Orlando gave up the first goal of the game on a power play shot from Thomas Frazee in the first period. Atlanta put the pressure on early and Orlando had to settle in.
The Solar Bears found the equalizer in the second period on a goal from Matt Rupert.
Orlando and Atlanta were about even in shots with Atlanta totaling 31 and Orlando totaling 32 shots on the game. The teams went scoreless through overtime to set up the shootout.
And there neither the Solar Bears nor the Gladiators could find the back of the net.
Someone had to break through and score. The shootout requires that. And the Solar Bears were the ones to do it.
At this point of the season, Orlando has begun to put things together and burned off a few wins. They have won three straight games and put together back-to-back home wins. It has been a nice relief as Orlando hits an important point of the season with this long home stand.
The Solar Bears have had things click recently and their play on the ice is reflecting the progress they have made.
