Jaden Condotta scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Jacksonville Icemen rallied past the Orlando Solar Bears 3-2 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The victory was Jacksonville’s first win of the season and its first overtime win this year. Jesse Tucker also scored for Jacksonville, while Cameron Rowe made 32 saves.
The Icemen entered the game with a 1-2-2 record, while Orlando entered at 0-3-1. Jacksonville overcame a 2-0 deficit after Orlando scored twice during the first six and a half minutes of the second period. The teams then traded momentum before Condotta completed the comeback in overtime.
Jacksonville answers after Orlando takes early lead
Jacksonville created several chances in the opening period and sent 10 shots toward Orlando goaltender Scott Ratzlaff. Neither team scored during the first 20 minutes, leaving the game tied 0-0 after one period. Orlando then moved in front with back-to-back goals early in the second.
Jesse Tucker put Jacksonville on the board after receiving a pass in neutral ice and carrying the puck over the Orlando line. Tucker beat Ratzlaff with a high-rising wrist shot over the glove to cut the deficit to 2-1. Jacksonville continued to generate chances, including one from Colby Ambrosio that struck the crossbar, but Orlando held the lead into the third period.
Condotta finishes comeback in overtime
Jacksonville tied the game on its fifth power play of the night midway through the third period. Condotta set up along the blue line and sent a quick wrist shot toward the net, where the puck deflected off Ratzlaff’s stick and went in. The goal sent the game to overtime at 2-2.
Rowe made several saves during the extra period to keep the game tied. Bennett McArthur started the winning sequence with a pass across the ice to Tucker along the left side. Tucker carried the puck into the zone, moved wide and sent a pass across the crease to Condotta, who finished at the opposite post.
Icemen return home Saturday
Jacksonville will host the Atlanta Gladiators Saturday at 3 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The game is scheduled as a Halloween matchup. It will be the Icemen’s next opportunity to build on their first victory of the season.
FSB Take
Jacksonville’s response after falling behind 2-0 turned a scoreless opening period into its first victory of the season. Rowe’s 32 saves kept the Icemen within reach, while Tucker and Condotta produced the goals that completed the comeback. The result gives Jacksonville a home game against Atlanta as its next chance to extend that response.
Source: Original report