The Orlando Solar Bears followed their arena mates in losing a late lead and falling in overtime to the Elmira Jackals on the road.
Orlando was not having a good time with leads Friday night. While the Orlando Magic took the attention nationally after blowing a fourth-quarter lead and engaging in a crazy finish with two buzzer beating shots in regulation and overtime.
The Orlando Solar Bears too were snake bitten Friday in New York to fall to 3-1-1 following a 4-3 loss to the Elmira Jackals on Friday at First Arena in Elmira, N.Y.
Colin Jacobs scored a short handed goal 1:41 into overtime to sink the win and complete the comeback after the Jackals erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime.
That is a pretty gut-wrenching way to lose and continues the struggles for the Solar Bears’ power play — although for the second straight game, the Bears scored twice on the power play.
Those two power play goals — one from Johnny McInnis and Lindsay Sparks in the second quarter — gave the Solar Bears a 3-1 lead entering the third period. Orlando’s offense and defense seemed to be cruising.
Elmira though dominated the third period trying to get back into the game. The Jackals recorded 18 shots to the Solar Bears’ seven shots in the final 20 minutes. Orlando committed two penalties in the period too, putting the team well on the back foot.
That inefficiency and that posture throughout the period is how a team can lose a lead late for sure. Elmira took advantage.
Eric Baier recorded three assists as the top point-scorer for the Solar Bears. McInnis led the team with five shots, getting one to go in for the goal.
Rob Madore made 38 saves but gave up four goals. He has not given up less than three goals in any start this year.
Orlando wraps up its East Coast road trip in Reading, Pa. on Saturday.
