ECHL South Division Semifinals – Game 3 Recap: Orlando Solar Bears vs South Carolina Stingrays

The Orlando Solar Bears hosted the South Carolina Stingrays Monday night in Orlando for game 3 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. South Carolina leads the series after two savage games in the Low Country. Both teams chose to keep the same lineup for netminding, Mitchelle Gibson for South Carolina and Jon Gillies for Orlando.

First Period

The Orlando Solar Bears take control of the puck in the first faceoff of the period and don’t let go. Brayden Low gets the first goal of the game with 4:33 left in the first period, giving the Solar Bears their first lead of any game in the series. Low received a Match Penalty and was fined an undisclosed amount after Saturday’s slew-foot call. Tyler Bird of the Solar Bears would make it a 2-0 lead with two minutes left in the period with a short-handed goal. They would receive two penalties this period: Anthony Bardaro for tripping and Jack Adams for interference. South Carolina’s only contribution to this period was the scrums and Justin Nachbaurs’ two penalties: one for holding and the other for interference. The period ends with both teams tied at 12 for shots on goal.

Second Period

The South Carolina Stingrays are looking to come back and take control of the puck from the faceoff, leading the shots taken for most of the first five minutes. The Solar Bears get the first penalty, with Brayden Low called for slashing. Kelly Bent then, with a boarding call, gave South Carolina their third power play, with no positive results. South Carolina’s Micah Miller would put Aaron Luchuk on the ice, resulting in Orlando’s getting their third power play of the game. With 3:39 left, an altercation breaks out, involving everyone, sending Josh Wilkins to the penalty box for roughing. Kyler Kupka follows his teammate up and gets a high-sticking call less than two minutes later. Both teams look like they’re fighting for their lives out on the ice, trying to find the net. South Carolina is leading with shots on goal, 18-11, and the Solar Bears lead the game.

Third Period

Orlando looks to keep its lead and push the series to a fifth game when it takes the ice. South Carolina takes the faceoff, trying to create something for themselves. Tyson Feist makes the first trip up for Orlando with an interference penalty. Making up for that, Tyler Bird takes the Bears 3-0. With 6:24 to go, South Carolina’s Dean Loukas, fed by Lynden Breen, puts one in the net, making it 3-1. Three minutes to go, South Carolina makes it 3-2 with Josh Wilkins putting the Rays in reach. Only to have Tyler Bird rip it away with his first hat trick of the post-season. The game ended with the Solar Bears taking it 4-2. South Carolina’s Tyler Weiss would get a slashing penalty at the 20:00 mark, leading to a wild scrum, and Orlando’s Djibril Toure taunting him as he is forced off the ice by the ref.

Three Stars of the Game (All from the Orlando Solar Bears)

First Star: Tyler Bird– Hat trick
Second Star: Bradyen Low- Goal
Third Star: Chris Harpur -Defensive play and Assist

Up Next

This game was crucial for the Solar Bears in keeping their Playoff Run alive. South Carolina needs to regroup and rest the team to come back strong in game four if they want to make this a quick series. The Solar Bears maintain a high level of defensive play and continue to dominate the offense. Then, game four could be the draw of the series, making it a must-watch game. Game 4 is on Wednesday, April 23rd, in Orlando. The puck drops at 7 pm EST.