Solar Bears strike late in the third to stun Swamp Rabbits

BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

BOXSCORE

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits battled back from 2-0 down to tie the game at 2, but the Orlando Solar Bears scored with just over a minute remaining in regulation and added an empty-netter to double up Greenville 4-2 on Friday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

With just one second remaining on an Orlando power play late in regulation, a 2-on-1 break developed into the Greenville zone. Chris LeBlanc and Colby McAuley teamed up to find Tayler Thompson breaking down the left wing, and the redirection of the pass beat Chris Nell between the pads to give Orlando its second lead of the game, one that they would not relinquish.

With Nell at the bench for the extra attacker, Mike Monfredo took his shot at the empty net from 200 feet away and hit it to seal the game up.

Kamerin Nault had the biggest game of his Swamp Rabbits career, in however short his career has been. His two goals paced the comeback effort for Greenville with a goal late in the second period, and midway through the third. His first came on a delayed penalty call that was assessed in front of the Greenville net. Nault rushed the puck up the ice, and as Stephen Pierog closed in on a rebound opportunity, Nault poked away at a third chance and buried the biscuit to cut the lead in half.

Nault picked up his second at the 11:46 mark of the third period to tie the game. As Johno May dangled into the high slot, his turnaround shot deflected off of Nault and through Solar Bears goaltender Martin Ouellette to give Greenville a ray of hope, and a rare third-period comeback on the season. Michael Pelech picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

Orlando’s offense got going early and often. Just 4:32 into the game, Mathieu Foget converted on a rebound on the power play to get the Solar Bears on the board first. Nell made the initial save on a shot attempt by McAuley, but Foget had an open four-by-six to open the scoring.

A point shot from Alex Kuqali found the waiting, untied stick of Alex Schoenborn who deflected home a critical goal to double Orlando’s lead to 2-0.

Greenville had multiple chances to thaw its ice-cold power play, but could not. Two opportunities in the second period went by the wayside. Orlando capitalized on Greenville’s inability to stay out of the penalty box, going 2-for-6 on the night.

The Swamp Rabbits remain at home to take on the Florida Everblades for Pucks ‘N’ Paws Night on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Bring the family and your canine companion to the game with a Family 4 Pack for just $60. Tickets are available at SwampRabbits.com.

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