Solar Bears Snap Skid In Dramatic Fashion

Orlando, FL - F Rob Mignardi and RW Kevin Baker each scored twice in the third period to lead the Solar Bears to a five-goal third period comeback as the Solar Bears defeated the Jackals 5-3 in front of 7,190 fans at the Amway Center on Saturday night.

The Solar Bears fired 16 shots on goal in the first period, but skated to a scoreless tie at the end of the frame. Elmira turned the tables on Orlando in the second period, with F Dustin Gazely starting off the scoring. 2:31 into the second. A shot from F Jean Bourbeau ricocheted off the shoulder of G John Curry and Gazely was there to knock the rebound home and give Elmira the 1-0 advantage. The Jackals doubled their lead when F Darren Kramer gathered a rebound in the slot and picked the top left corner of the net with 4:47 left in the frame.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the third period, the Solar Bears found their offensive touch in the final stanza. C Mat Sisca buried a one-timer into the top corner of the net 5:26 into the period to cut Elmira's lead in half. F Rob Mignardi evened the score at 2-2 when he fired home a shot from just outside the crease at 13:39. Just 42 seconds later, RW Kevin Baker tallied a power play goal to give the Solar Bears their first lead of the night. Mignardi struck again on a rebound at 15:41 to put the Solar Bears ahead 4-2 before Baker recorded his second goal of the night on a empty net with 58 seconds left to play. A late period power play for the Jackals saw F Jack Downing blast home a one-timer with less than a second remaining, but the Solar Bears skated away with the 5-3 victory.

WFTV