The Orlando Solar Bears knew they needed to get off to a better start after the way they played Wednesday in a 5-3 loss to the Indy Fuel. That game needed to be an anomaly.
How the Solar Bears would ultimately play is often determined in those first 20 minutes. And Orlando is used to looking up on the scoreboard in those games.
The momentum from the first period and the push that came with it bolstered the team and gave it confidence.
Two first period goals established control of the game and defense and special teams finished it. Even giving up 45 shots, Rob Madore stood tall. Even going back on the penalty kill, Orlando attacked again.
Johnny McInnis scored what would turn out to be the game-winner seven seconds into an Indy power play, putting pressure at the blue line when a player mishandled the puck and racing to the other end to defeat Shane Owen one on one. The Solar Bears upended the Fuel 3-2 at Amway Center on Thursday, avenging a disappointing and frustrating effort in the opener of the three-game set.
“I thought our push in the first period right from the first couple shifts did a really good job setting the tone,” coach Anthony Noreen said. “That was really all our message was the last day or so was let’s make sure we set the tone and get the game going our way. I thought we did a really good job of just getting pucks behind him, win/lose puck races and that’s what the result is.”
After the way Wednesday went with the team struggling to compete and win those battles and not playing with enough energy, that attention early on was specifically poignant as Orlando won its sixth game in the past seven outings.
Orlando was knocking on the door before finally scoring on a goal from Brady Vail as he fought his way into the slot, secure the rebound and spun around for a quick wrist shot.
The second goal was much prettier and a sign of the patience and poise this team had in that first period. Patrick Watling led a two-on-one break, receiving a pass from Austin Block. Watling held the puck long enough to freeze Owen before sending it across ice to Block who scored before Owen could re-adjust. The back-and-forth passing showed a team connected and focused on executing.
The 2-0 lead established just before the first intermission set an undeniable tone for the rest of the game.
“Last night our start was probably the worst all year,” Vail said. “Not sure why. We found a way to do it tonight and had one of our best starts of the year.”
The Fuel were not going to go away and they made their push in the second period, scoring a few minutes before the second intermission and putting the pressure on the Solar Bears.
Orlando though was the one willing to put the pressure on and force the issue offensively. Even though Indy put up 22 shots in the second period and tallied 45 for the game, the third time this season Orlando has given up 45 or more shots — Indy could not break through. The Solar Bears were willing to put pressure in the penalty kill and force the Fuel back on their heels.
That is how McInnis broke free for his goal and helped Orlando hang on. The third period was a rush of desperation from Indy, trailing 3-1 for the majority of it and the team threw everything at Madore. He had to make some incredible saves just to keep Orlando in the lead as the team clung desperately to the lead.
“This time of year goaltending is huge, defense is huge,” McInnis said. “Both are doing a good job. Rob the last two games has over 90 saves, I’m pretty sure. Any way you can get that from a goalie that’s what we need. We did whatever we had to do to get a win tonight and that’s huge this time of year.”
With the way shots were firing at Madore, it took good communication with Madore and the defense to hold things off. He saved the defense on several occasions just as the defense saved him when he could not corral rebounds. They connected well on passes and that kickstarted the offensive rush.
The Solar Bears indeed received their wake up call and emerged with a much stronger effort. They fought and fought back after the Fuel came after them. Orlando maintained the momentum and made plays. The team took advantage of the opportunities as they presented them in the end.
Orlando took 47 shots itself and had good puck possession particularly early and on the team’s three power play opportunities, even if the team failed to convert on those chances. It was just the fifth time this season with 40 or more shots and the most shots taken this year.
While shots on goal is not an indication of good offense, it is an indication of the team’s aggressiveness throughout the game. And certainly about how well the team stayed on the puck and created shooting opportunities.
Even early on, the Solar Bears had a goal taken off the board after Erik Bradford swatted a puck rebounding off the back boards into the net because of a high stick.
This was a different team than the night before. One playing with the energy, intention and focus the system and the structure calls for.
