Orlando KIA Center – The Atlanta Gladiators slap another home “L” on the Orlando Solar Bears win/loss column Wednesday night in the KIA Center dropping the Bears from #5 at the beginning of the regular season to #10 in the standings with 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 OTL (Overtime Loss).
Solar Bears Period One
If there is such a thing as a slow-paced hockey game, this meeting definitely fit the bill. Maybe it was due to being a Wednesday night, maybe it was the paucity of fans in the stands, but both teams seem to skate with a lack of intensity typical hockey games are known for.
The Solar Bears took 11 shots on goal, yet none of them found the back of the net. Atlanta, taking only 7 shots, scored the only goal before the first intermission with Eric Neiley lighting up the light. Jack Adams of the Solar Bears did put the puck in the net about 15 minutes into the game, but the goal was waved off due to “incidental contact with the goaltender.” I contacted Joey Battaino, Director of Communications & Broadcasting for the Solar Bears, and he told me that the play was “not ruled goalie interference, which would have been an Orlando penalty and no goal.”
Period Two
Though the game seemed to slow down even more with Orlando taking a paltry six shots against Atlanta’s eight, at 10:17 into the second Tyler Bird shoots and evens the score with the only goal against Atlanta’ goalie Ethan Haider with the assist by Brayden Low and Djibril Touré.
Period Three
The third period saw the most penalties assessed for both teams: Two for Orlando and three for Atlanta. At one point during this period, the Gladiators had two players sitting in the box at the same time giving the Solar Bears a short 5-on-3 power play. Yet even with this attack advantage, the Bears didn’t press it and as a result failed to capitalize.
Gladiator Christian Hausinger scored the only goal of the third bringing the close to 2-1 Atlanta.
Orlando Solar Bears Hockey
Hockey isn’t a game most people associate with Florida, though the game is growing in popularity in the Sunshine State. And judging by the attendance of the last few home games, it appears that many folks are unaware of the professional team right here in Orlando! Check out the Orlando Solar Bear website for stats of this and all their games and information on how to buy tickets to come enjoy the fun for yourself!
