Orlando – The Orlando Solar Bears reclaimed the keys to the KIA Center Tuesday night (Jan. 7, 2025) in another exciting game beating the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 2-1 in overtime play!
The Solar Bears were upset by the Swamp Rabbits just four nights earlier at home on Friday, Jan. 3, by a score of 5-2 with three goals in the first period. A loss that shouldn’t have happened, but it served an amazing purpose: It lit a fire under the whole team – especially Bear goalie Ryan Fanti, propelling them to victory the very next night against the Bears’ nemesis the Florida Everblades.
With that fire’s embers still burning Tuesday evening, the Solar Bears’ rematch with the Swamp Rabbits proved to be a lesson in humility for the Rabbits.
Period One
The first period in this game was a completely different story. Instead of three goals slipping by Fanti, he stopped every one of the Rabbits’ quality shots on goal and going into the first intermission 0-0. Ryan received Player of the Game with 30 saves for the night!
Solar Bears Score First
Solar Bear Alex Frye was the first to put points on the score board three minutes into the second period, assisted by Aaron Luchuk and Hudson Thornton. Brent Pederson of the Rabbits evened the score just four minutes later.
Period Three
Though it was a scoreless period, it wasn’t any less exciting. Kelly “The Bender” Bent livened up the crowd by having to be restrained by Linesman Quinn Schafer after he and Rabbit Mikael Robidoux got into it in front of the Rabbit goal. Bent is well-known for being “ready to go” with any opponent regardless of size. Bent received four minutes in the penalty box for roughing, while Robidoux received two.
Solar Bears Overtime
It didn’t take long for team captain Tyler Bird to put a cap on the game by scoring just 1:51 into overtime play, making that win in front of 3855 fans the second home win in a row!
On the Road Again
The Orlando Solar Bears are on the road with three games against the Adirondack Thunder in Glen Falls, NY! Their next home game is on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025! Puck drops at 7:00 PM. Come watch the game with us!!
