Orlando, FL – Game five was set for the Orlando Solar Bears and Greenville Swamp Rabbits as the South Division Semifinals continued to determine an advancing team. Before puck drop, the teams were tied at two of the series, but the 6,125 fans at the Kia Center were pumped for revenge hockey and craving a series tie breaker. For the tendies, Evan Fitzpatrick would make his fifth straight start for the home team, while Jacob Ingham would make his fourth start for the Rabbits.
1st Period
Spencer Kersten for the Bears would open the scoring, making it his fifth of the postseason at 3:31. The crowd at the Kia Center was roaring after Kersten’s goal, but the energy would fuel the visiting team. Minutes in, the Rabbits would later capitalize on the power play at 9:41, as Bobby Russell would score from a rocket at the blue line. Afterwards, both teams would bounce between zones to make plays. Around 14:09, Prkusic goes on a rush at the right-wing end. Then, from the right-wing face-off point, Prkusic would shoot at Fitzpatrick’s pad, creating a rebound for McManus to intercept and fire on the open-door net. But that wasn’t all the scoring for Greenville, though, as Colton Young would score an insurance goal just seconds after at 14:43. His goal was generated off of McKechney’s original rebound on Fitzpatrick; Young would deflect the puck off of Fitzpatrick’s pads from his back paraganglia. Shots on goal: 12 Greenville, 15 Orlando.
2nd Period
Just 3:14 in, Tyler Bird would make it 3-2 on the power play – decreasing his team’s deficit by a single goal. But just like the first period, the Rabbits would respond minutes after. Russell would net goal number four and add two for himself at 9:58. At 14:24, the Solar Bears would score by Luke Boka after he tucked in a rebound from Jacques’ shot. Andrew Lord would protest the goal, demanding a challenge for Sam Heidemann and Brendan Schreider to review it for a missed stoppage of play as Ingham’s helmet was loose, and a review would be granted. However, after review, the goal would stand. Now, 4-3, the Rabbits had fuel left in the tank to gain some insurance. Carter Souch would get tripped up but score on a backhander at 17:46; the goal was unassisted. Shots on goal: 13 Greenville, 12 Orlando.
3rd Period
Jesse Jacques would make it 4-5 at 1:08 from an assist by Gaudet. The Solar Bears would have serious effort put forth into the period, with urgency sticking in and signs of a weakened Greenville crew resonating. With 3:08 left, Aaron Luchuk would tie it at five, netting the goal through traffic. After the tying goal, the Solar Bears would be fired up to defend against any last-minute tie-breakers from the Rabbits. And that would consequently result in another overtime. Shots on goal: 11 Greenville, 15 Orlando.
Overtime
Overtime was a short one, as it lasted for less than three minutes. Colton Young would shoot first on Fitzpatrick, and then the Bears would drill down into Greenvilles zone. On a jet speed-like rush, Brayden Low would rocket the puck to win it in overtime from Bird’s assist. Final Shots on goal: 37 Greenville, 43 Orlando.
Three stars of the game: Third: Luke Boka; Second: Jesse Jacques; First: Brayden Low.
The teams will return to Greenville turf for game six and, if necessary, seven. Orlando can close this series and advance to round two if they win game six…
