Solar Bears lose in overtime to Atlanta

DULUTH, Ga. — The Orlando Solar Bears (10-8-2-3), proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL's Toronto Marlies, picked up a point as they fell to the Atlanta Gladiators (13-8-1-0) by a score of 2-1 in overtime in front of a crowd of 6,565 on Saturday night at Infinite Energy Arena.

Daniel Bahntge scored on Ryan Massa at 6:41 of the first period to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, but near the end of the opening frame Brady Vail tied the score for Orlando when he fired a shot from the left circle that clanked in and out of the net so quickly that it required the officials to confirm the goal at 16:27.

Both teams failed to score in the second and third periods, although Massa made several key stops to preserve the tie for Orlando.

The game would require extra time at the end of regulation, and Tyler Murovich capitalized on a Solar Bears turnover and wristed the puck past Massa's blocker at 1:15 to seal the win for Atlanta.

Massa took the overtime loss with 37 saves on 39 shots against; Kent Patterson earned the victory with 19 saves on 20 shots against.

WFTV