Solar Bears Slay Swamp Rabbits

On Tuesday night, Evan Fitzpatrick made 46 saves to help the Orlando Solar Bears secure a 5-1 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, thereby advancing to the South Division Finals. The Solar Bears are now awaiting the winner of the match between the Jacksonville Icemen and the defending Kelly Cup champions, the Florida Everblades, who will play a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday.

After a scoreless first period, Jaydon Dureau scored two goals in the second period, with just 5 minutes and 26 seconds between them. During a man advantage, Tyler Bird found Dureau on the backdoor, and at the 14:04 mark of the frame, Dureau scored the first goal. Ben Carroll then sent a backhanded pass to Dureau, who fired the puck into the back of the net with just 30 seconds left in the period.

Spencer Kersten extended Orlando's lead to 3-0 early in the third period after he came flying in along the left wing and wristed the puck past Greenville netminder Jacob Ingham. Although the Swamp Rabbits managed to get one goal back, thanks to Colton Young's third goal of the postseason, that would be the only blemish on Fitzpatrick's night, as he stopped 46 of 47 overall.

With the net empty, Aaron Luchuk and Tyler Bird both scored their second goals of the playoffs, securing the Solar Bears' bid to the next round.

(Orlando wins series 4-2)
Game 1 – ORLANDO 1 at Greenville 0 (OT)
Game 2 – Orlando 2 at GREENVILLE 4
Game 3 – Greenville 1 at ORLANDO 2 (OT)
Game 4 – GREENVILLE 5 at Orlando 3
Game 5 – Greenville 5 at ORLANDO 6 (OT)
Game 6 – ORLANDO 5 at Greenville 1

Round 2️⃣ coming 🔜🤩 pic.twitter.com/ik1wVeDpVJ

— x - Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) May 1, 2024