The Orlando Solar Bears have had plenty of chances to pack it in this season. They did not get off to the start they wanted. They dealt with plenty of call ups and roster changes. They play in the toughest division in the Eastern Conference with an imbalanced schedule skewed toward playing those teams more.
And yet every time it seems like it is time to write off the Solar Bears, the system clicks in and they rise to the top. Things just start to work for this young group and again you can believe.
The playoffs are possible again. The intensity, energy and skill are all there. Potential becomes realized.
Against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference on the road, Orlando came from behind down 2-0 in the third period to send the game into overtime. And then Nicklas Lindberg scores one of the prettiest, most complex, most skillful shootout goals to deliver a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series win at Manchester agains the Manchester Monarchs.
WATCH: Nicklas Lindberg's SO-winner for the #SolarBears was ???…?? pic.twitter.com/LMQiHfYq5J
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) March 7, 2016
The Solar Bears scored the only goal in the shootout as Mark Anthoine missed the final shot against Ryan Massa to secure the Solar Bears’ win. Orlando rose to 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with the win and are still within striking distance of the final Playoff spot.
The Solar Bears scored twice in the third period to erase two first-period goals from the Monarchs.
Erik Bradford scored just past the midway point of the third period on a rebound in front of the net after a shot from Rory Rawlyk.
The Solar Bears would tie the game with just 93 seconds left in regulation, using an extra man after pulling Ryan Massa to get back into the game. Rylan Schwartz hit a one-timer from Patrick Watling to tie the game.
That is the kind of desperation Orlando has begun playing with late in games and it has paid off for the team in several recent games. The Solar Bears have shown plenty of fight late in games to stay in the Playoff race.
