By Mike Bonts, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – Noah Laaouan’s overtime goal gave the Jacksonville Icemen (29-16-3) a 3-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears (26-18-8) Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Arena. It was Laaouan’s fifth goal of the season.
This week Icemen head coach Brandon Mashinter and the club parted ways. Tonight, Interim Head Coach Sean Teakle picked up his first win at that post.
Orlando’s Tyler Bird sent the game into overtime with 1:16 to play in regulation. The Solar Bears have gone to overtime or a shootout in seven of their last 10 games.
Chase Lang’s shorthanded goal gave the Jacksonville Icemen a 2-1 lead late in the third period. The Icemen are tied for the league lead with six shorthanded goals at home.
The visitors broke out front midway through the first period. Jack Adams scored his 13th goal of the season assisted by Tyson Feist and Anthony Bardaro.
The Icemen evened the score at the 19:59 mark of the first on Chris Grando’s tally, Laaouan and Olivier Nadeau picked up the helpers. Grando leads the club with 15 goals.
Justin Close made 28 saves for Jacksonville. Orlando’s Ryan Fanti stopped 24 shots.
Jacksonville is now 5-2 in overtime. The Icemen travel to South Carolina for a Sunday afternoon contest. The Stingrays picked up a 3-1 win over Wheeling Saturday.
(Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher)
