Kessel lifts Solar Bears to 4-3 OT win over Icemen

ORLANDO, Fla. – Blake Kessel enjoyed a two-point night and netted the game-winning goal as the Orlando Solar Bears (7-9-3-1) rallied from a 3-2 deficit and prevailed in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Icemen (7-9-4-0) on Thursday night at the Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center.

Box Score

Ryan Lohin gave Orlando a 1-0 lead at the 14:58 mark of the first period when he deflected Eric Drapluk’s shot from the blue line past Michael McNiven for his second goal of the season.

The Icemen tied the score at 1-1 shortly before the period expired when Mike Hedden flipped the puck from the wall to Dajon Mingo in the slot, and the defenseman snapped a shot past Zachary Fucale at 19:52.

Alexey Lipanov gave Orlando a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal at 11:05 of the second period when he one-timed a pass from Chris LeBlanc past McNiven for his fourth of the season.

Pierre-Luc Mercier answered for the Icemen at 13:05 with a power-play goal for the visitors, deflecting a shot from Mingo past Fucale to even the contest at 2-2.

Bobby Lynch gave Jacksonville its first lead of the night at 16:48 when he chased down a rebound at the right circle and roofed a shot past a sprawled Fucale.

The Solar Bears responded with a goal from Jake Coughler when Blake Kessel intercepted a clearing attempt along the wall in the Jacksonville zone and found Coughler with a well-placed pass, allowing Coughler to beat McNiven at 17:52 for his second of the season.

After regulation ended with the score tied at 3-3 for the second consecutive game this week, Kessel lifted Orlando to the win in the extra frame when Tristin Langan poked the puck out of the defensive zone to Colby McAuley, who fed Kessel in the slot for the walk-off tally, and his second of the season.

Fucale earned his fourth win of the season with 32 saves on 35 shots against; MicNiven took the overtime loss with 27 stops on 31 shots against.

THREE STARS:

1. Blake Kessel – ORL
2. Tristin Langan – ORL
3. Jake Coughler – ORL  

NOTABLES:

• The victory gives Orlando a lifetime 14-0-0-0 record against Jacksonville on home ice; the Solar Bears lead the current regular season series against the Icemen 4-0-0-0, with three wins coming at home
• Kessel has four points (2g-2a) in his last two games – his goal tonight was his 50th career pro goal – he has 206 points (50g-156a) in 407 career games
• Coughler has a two-game goal-scoring streak (2g)
• Drapluk finished the night with two assists for his first points with the Solar Bears since his acquisition from the Tulsa Oilers in November
• Lipanov is now tied for the team lead for goals with Tristin Langan, LeBlanc and Trevor Olson
• Lipanov, LeBlanc and Jimmy Lodge each led Orlando with four shots tonight
• The win keeps Orlando in fifth place in the South Division but tied in points with Jacksonville and the Atlanta Gladiators, whom the Solar Bears face on Friday and Saturday  

NEXT GAMES:

The Solar Bears square off against the Atlanta Gladiators for the first time this season on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. Saturday’s game is also our annual Teddy Bear Toss game – fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears or stuffed animals to be thrown onto the ice when the Solar Bears score their first goal of the game. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for Friday, Dec. 6 vs. Atlanta. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for Teddy Bear Toss – Saturday, Dec. 7 vs. Atlanta.

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.