Solar Bears burn Gladiators, 3-1

DULUTH -- For the first time this season, the Gladiators fell to their division rivals, the Orlando Solar Bears 3-1 on Tuesday night, even with a spectacular performance by former Solar Bear, Kent Patterson, in net.<br /> <br /> Patterson saved a season-high 42 shots on goal out of the 45 Orlando sent his way, as he was consistently challenged all night long. For the opposing side, Garrett Sparks saved all but one of the Gladiators' 28 shots.<br /> <br /> The Solar Bears (21-15-3-0) scorched the Gladiators (15-24-2-1) early in the first period, scoring just 2:45 into the game. Eric Baier slapped in a shot from the left faceoff circle into the far corner of the net past Kent Patterson. The first period was largely tilted in the opponent's favor, as they registered 20 shots on goal compared the Gladiators' 9. <br /> <br /> It was more of the same the second period, as Orlando once again tallied a goal almost immediately. After receiving a pass from Jacob Cepis with his back towards the net, Brady Vail spun around with the puck in tow, and quickly sent in a shot from the left faceoff circle at 2:17. The Gladiators had their fair share of close calls on their 10 shots in the period, but could not seem to find a way around the Solar Bears' Garrett Sparks. <br /> <br /> Facing a shutout, the Gladiators came out onto the ice fired up in the third period, and finally found net past Sparks at just 1:21 of the period. C.J. Chartrain jammed the puck right into the net upon receiving it just outside the left side of the crease from Garry Nunn for his second of the season. The Solar Bears retaliated before the two teams reached the halfway mark, at 9:12, on a goal from David Broll.<br /> <br /> Things managed to remain civil despite the one fight of the night between James McEwan and Carl Nielsen. Only two penalties were called on the evening, one for each side

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