Lipanov, Boyd lift Solar Bears to 5-2 win over Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. – Alexey Lipanov broke a 2-2 tie in the second period with his team-leading sixth power-play goal of the season, and Rich Boyd enjoyed a two-point night to help lift the Orlando Solar Bears (20-18-5-1) to a 5-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers (20-19-5-0) on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena, and earn a split of the two-game weekend series.

Box Score

Lipanov one-timed a cross-ice pass from Chris LeBlanc past Alex D’Orio at 15:41 of the second frame for his ninth of the season to make it 3-2 in favor of Orlando. Michael Brodzinski added the secondary assist on the goal.

With the goal, Lipanov now owns the Solar Bears’ single-season record for power-play goals scored by a rookie, passing the previous mark of five shared with Trevor Olson (2018-19), Brent Pedersen (2018-19), J.J. Piccinich (2017-18), Milos Bubela (2016-17) and Jack Rodewald (2015-16).

Both teams traded leads in the first period, as Olson initially scored at 6:06 of the opening stanza to give the Solar Bears a 1-0 lead with his 15th of the season with Boyd and Peter Abbandonato assisting.

The Nailers responded with goals from Renars Krastenbergs (9:32) and Spencer Trapp (16:19) to put Orlando in a 2-1 deficit, but Boyd tied it at 2-2 for the Solar Bears when Tayler Thompson won an offensive zone faceoff back to Dylan Fitze, who set up Boyd for a wrist shot from the point that beat D’Orio at 18:57 for the rookie’s fifth of the season.

After Lipanov pulled Orlando ahead in the second period, Taylor Cammarata netted an unassisted power-play goal at 4:42 of the third for his 10th of the season.

Cody Donaghey sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 17:01 for his second of the season.

Clint Windsor picked up his 10th victory of the season for Orlando with 31 saves on 33 shots against; D’Orio took the loss with 38 stops on 42 shots against.

THREE STARS:

Alexey Lipanov – ORL
Rich Boyd – ORL
Spencer Trapp – WHL

OTHER NOTABLES:

The Solar Bears went 2-for-2 with the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill
Windsor’s win makes him the third Solar Bears rookie goaltender after Kasmir Kaskisuo (2016-17; 14) and Ryan Massa (2015-16; 19) to reach double-digit wins
Olson’s goal gives the forward a three-game goal streak (3g)
LeBlanc’s and Brodzinski’s assists gives each player a two-game assist streak (2a)

NEXT GAMES:

The Solar Bears conclude their four-game road trip against the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Arena. The Solar Bears return home to host the South Carolina Stingrays on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. for a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Coors Light, featuring $5 domestic draft beers. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.

Purchase Single-Game Tickets:

Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.

Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. Replica jerseys are available for purchase online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place their order today.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.