OT goal by Solar Bears extends series

CINCINNATI, Ohio — G Christopher Gibson turned away 41 shots and D Eric Baier potted the game winning goal 5:13 into overtime as the Solar Bears clawed back from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones at the US Bank Arena on Saturday night. Game Six will be played at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29.

The Cyclones jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 10:43 of the first. D Taylor Aronson moved a pass to F Byron Froese in the high-slot, and Froese slipped a wrist shot through traffic to give Cincinnati the lead. Less than two minutes, F Josh Birkholz extended the lead when his slap shot from the left circle found its way through the pads of G Christopher Gibson. The Cyclones outshot the Solar Bears 15-4 in the first and held the 2-0 advantage going into the second period.

Orlando cut the Cyclones lead in half 1:27 into the second stanza. D Bryce Aneloski moved the puck to forward C.J. Severyn on the left circle and Severyn fired a shot past G Rob Madore for his first of the post season. It was the only goal scored during the middle frame as Orlando trailed 2-1 going into the third.

D Blake Kessel tied the game at 2-2 on the power play in the third frame. F Taylor Matson won a faceoff back to F Jacob Cepis, who tapped the puck back to Kessel at the blue line. Kessel then fired a shot through traffic that glanced of the post and into the net to force overtime.

Just over five minutes into the sudden death period, Baier collected the game winning goal. Cepis skated the puck into the offensive end and found Baier trailing on the play. Baier then blasted the puck into the bottom corner of the net to secure the win for the Solar Bears and force Game Six on Tuesday in Orlando.

Three Stars: 1. E. Baier (ORL); 2. C. Gibson (ORL); 3. R. Madore (CIN)
Power Plays: ORL: 1/6; CIN: 0/4
Shots: ORL: 24; CIN: 4

Notes:
G Christopher Gibson made his professional playoff debut tonight stopping 41 of the 43 shots he faced... Forward C.J. Severyn scored his first professional playoff goal... Cincinnati's first period goals marked the first time this series that either team had scored a goal in the first period in Cincinnati... The Solar Bears have now won back-to-back games to bring the series to a 3-2 lead for Cincinnati with Game Six on Tuesday in Orlando... D Eric Baier's overtime goal was his first career playoff goal.

WFTV