ORLANDO, FL – If there was a better way to earn a first win, Friday night’s contest was the most dramatic and rewarding. The Jacksonville Icemen (1-2-2) came from behind to defeat the Orlando Solar Bears (0-3-1) in overtime, 3-2, at the Kia Center. Jesse Tucker and Jaden Condotta both scored for the Icemen while goaltender Cameron Rowe made 32 saves in the victory.
The Icemen will head home on Saturday for a 3:00 pm matchup with the Atlanta Gladiators at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
FIRST PERIOD
The opening twenty minutes featured plenty of chances on both sides. Jacksonville peppered Orlando goaltender Scott Ratzlaff for 10 shots in the opening period. Despite the chances, neither side could find the back of the net in the opening period.
SECOND PERIOD
Orlando struck quickly with back-to-back goals in the first six and a half minutes of the second period to take a 2-0 lead. But the Icemen countered quickly with their latest addition, Jesse Tucker, leading the way. After receiving a pass in neutral ice, Tucker stepped in over the Orlando line and rifled a high-rising wrist shot that beat Ratzlaff high over the glove to get the Icemen on the board. Jacksonville had several more power plays and multiple good chances, including forward Colby Ambrosio striking the crossbar, but couldn't find the equalizer. Jacksonville trailed 2-1 entering the third but also had a man-advantage to start the period.
THIRD PERIOD
Jacksonville continued to press hard in the third period, earning chance after chance but failing to find the back of the net. It took another power play, the Icemen’s fifth of the game, to find the equalizer. Jaden Condotta set up along the blue line midway through the period and sent a quick wrist shot toward the net that deflected off of Ratzlaff’s stick and into the back of the net.
OVERTIME
Tied 2-2, the Icemen entered their third post-regulation contest in four games. Icemen goaltender Cameron Rowe made several big saves to keep the contest tied before Jacksonville broke through. Captain Bennett McArthur curled back at the offensive blue line before sending a pass across the ice to Tucker skating along the left side. Tucker entered the zone with speed, skated wide, and then went toward the net. At the last moment, he dished a pass across the crease to Condotta, who had snuck in to the opposite post. Tucker’s pass was on point, and Condotta made no mistake, directing the puck into the back of the net.
The win marks Jacksonville’s first of the season and its first overtime win this year. The Icemen will be back on the ice on Saturday afternoon for a Halloween matchup at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena against the Atlanta Gladiators.
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