Hockey

Solar Bears pick up first win of season

ORLANDO, Fla. — Goaltender John Curry stopped 28 shots and F Scott Tanksi tallied early in the third period to help the Solar Bears to a 4-2 victory over the visiting Gwinnett Gladiators at the Amway Center on Saturday night. Tanski's goal came just 1:24 after the Gladiators tied the game at 2-2 early in the third period.

Forward C.J. Severyn helped the Solar Bears get on the board early in the game. F Zach Harrison found Severyn in the neutral zone, and the Solar Bears forward made  one quick move at the top of the right circle before snapping a shot past Gwinnett goaltender Louis Domingue just 19 seconds into the contests. Over 16 minutes passed before Orlando increased their lead to 2-0. While shorthanded, F Kory Nagy blocked a shot at the blue line, led a 2-on-1 up the ice, and snapped a shot into the bottom left corner at 17:04. Gwinnett quickly responded, as at 18:54 F Keven Veilleux took a pass at the top of the goal creased and snapped a shot past the glove of G John Curry to cut Orlando's lead in half.

The score remained 2-1 heading into the third, but the Gladiators evened up the score 1:10 into the frame. A cross-ice pass from F Even Bloodoff set up F Dirk Southern who picked the top corner to tie the game. The Solar Bears came right back as F Ian Slater slid a pass to Tanksi, and Tanski one-timed a shot just inside the left post to restore Orlando's lead 1:24 later. D Eric Baier added an empty net goal with one second left in the game for the final 4-2 score.

Three Stars: 1. J. Curry (ORL); 2. S. Tanski (ORL); 3. K. Nagy (ORL)

Power Plays: ORL: 0/5; GWT: 0/6
Shots: ORL: 24; FLA: 30

Notes:

D Myles Harvey served the third game of a four-game ECHL suspension... The Solar Bears wore special Star Wars themed jerseys during the game... F Kory Nagy's shorthanded goal in the first period was the first shorthanded goal scored by the Solar Bears this season... G John Curry stopped 28 shots in the game, setting a season high for saves in a single game for Orlando... Each team had a five-on-three power play in the game... The Solar Bears have killed off all 17 power plays against this season.