Komets general manager David Franke still believes he will have a coach in place by June 1, though he declined to get into specifics about potential candidates – with one exception.One night after Charlie Effinger rendered them silent, the Orlando Solar Bears found their voice Sunday.
In Orlando, Fla., the Solar Bears jumped on the Fort Wayne Komets from the start, scoring four goals and outshooting the Komets 30-12 across the first two periods en route to a 6-2 victory in front of 6,671 fans at the Amway Center. Six different players scored goals for the Solar Bears, who jumped to a 4-1 lead after two periods.
The win enabled Orlando (10-11-2) to avoid being swept in the series by the Komets (11-9), who took two of three.
Brandon Marino and Ryan Lasch scored the goals for them Sunday, and Kenny Reiter took the loss in goal.
In addition to the loss on the scoreboard, the Komets also lost defenseman Brent Henley, who took a fighting major in the first period and was additionally tagged with an aggressor game misconduct.
The Solar Bears took a 2-0 lead after a period on goals by C.J. Severyn and Sean Lorenz, but Marino got one back with a short-handed goal on a two-man break with Stephon Thorne at 3:08 of the second. Ryan Reaves answered at 9:24 and Ryan Cruthers beat Reiter on the power play at 18:31, however, to send the Solar Bears to the third with a commanding three-goal lead.
The Komets return to action Wednesday when they play host to Kalamazoo.
