The Orlando Solar Bears broke their home losing streak by mauling the Savannah Ghost Pirates 5-2 in the KIA Center Tuesday night (Nov. 26). The last time the Solar Bears won a home game was exactly one month ago on October 26 at their home opening game against none other than the Savannah Ghost Pirates!
Tuesday evening’s game marked the eighth time this season the Bears faced the Pirates, so the stomping the Pirates received in front of the thousands of Solar Bear fans was well received – and very fun to watch! However, things didn’t start out that way…
Period One: Solar Bear Scare
Period one literally opened up with the worst-case scenario: a goal by Savannah. The puck was dropped and won by Orlando but was given away at center ice where Nathan Staios commenced to skate down into the offensive zone and score just 52 seconds into the game. Having lost the last six games against Savannah, two at home, it was easy to know what was on everyone’s mind, “Oh no, not again!”
But bears, whether in the woods or on the ice, are not quitters. The Solar Bears fought back viciously, holding the Pirates to only one goal after taking 17 more shots on goal against Bear goalie Alexis Gravel. The Bears didn’t have to wait long before they found the back of the net with Jaydon Dureau scoring just twelve minutes later assisted by Spencer Kersten!
Period Two
The second period was scoreless, yet exciting with both teams taking an equal twelve shots on goal. Shot for shot, save for save, this period was like watching two fighters pound on each other in a cage. With a few push-n-shoves adding to the excitement, the teams went into the second intermission knowing it will be the third period that will decide this game.
Period Three
If there’s such a thing as déjà vu in hockey, this was it. Though a different Pirate and 28 seconds into the third period instead of 52, Nicholas Zabaneh somehow scores through a Bear wreck at the goal. The goal was contested but allowed, though they never showed the replay on the centerhung display. That put the Pirates up 2-1 and started the fans chanting, “REF YOU SUCK!” for a good three minutes!
I believe that was the call that literally “poked the bear.” Though the Ghost Pirates took 12 more shots on goal, Orlando’s goalie, Alexis Gravel stopped every single one. In fact Gravel had an amazing 41 saves in this game! Jarrett Lee tied the score at 8:43 and Brayden Low put the Bears on top at 13:38! A minute and a half later, Jaydon Dureau scores his second goal of the night, and about four minutes after that, Spencer Kersten seals the deal! There were so many Bear slashes in the Pirate’s ship that as the clock counted down with 15 seconds left in the game, the Pirates just held the puck in their zone and quit!
Solar Bear Migration
The Orlando Solar Bears also played their last game with Djibril Touré as he got the call every hockey player waits to hear – he’s moving up. It was announced Wednesday, Nov. 27 that Touré has been reassigned to the AHL’s Belleville Senators, the minor league affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. Though the team and fans (and this photographer) congratulates him, Touré’s presence on the ice will be sorely missed.
Don’t Miss Out On Solar Bear Games
Need some excitement in your life? Going to see the Orlando Solar Bears at the KIA Center may be just what you’ve been looking for! With affordable tickets and convenient parking, the only excuse you could have would be that you just don’t like hockey!
The Bears face off against the Jacksonville Icemen tomorrow night (Nov. 29)! Puck drops at 7:00 PM. If a week day game doesn’t fit your schedule, the Bears also play the South Carolina Stingrays this Sunday afternoon (Dec. 1) at 3:00 PM! Come on out and enjoy the fun and excitement for yourself!
