Solar Bears' Alexis Gravel Picks Up Elusive First Win Of Season

Alexis Gravel was still in search of his first win of the season. The 24-year-old had performed well in two previous starts this year, but he had yet to receive any run support, so to speak.

However, the Orlando Solar Bears erupted for five goals, including four in the third period, to support their goaltender. Gravel made a season-high 41 saves as Brayden Low scored the go-ahead goal, en route to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Savannah Ghost Pirates on Tuesday.

Jaydon Dureau, Jarrett Lee, and Spencer Kersten also found the back of the net for Orlando. Dureau netted two goals, marking his first multi-goal game of the season. 

Gravel stopped 41 of the 43 shots he faced and was particularly sharp over the final two periods, making 24 saves. The former sixth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks was crucial in killing off all five of Savannah's power-play opportunities.

Orlando converted on two of its four chances on the man advantage, raising their conversion rate to 23.3% on home ice this season, which ranks as the fifth-best mark in the ECHL. With the win, the Solar Bears improved their record against the Ghost Pirates to 2-4-0-0 this season and have now won three consecutive games overall.

Nathan Staios opened the scoring for Savannah less than a minute into the game. However, Dureau quickly responded with his first goal of the night later in the period. After a scoreless second period, Savannah regained the lead on Nicholas Zabaneh's fourth goal of the season early in the third.

Orlando tied the game on Lee's first goal of the year after the Ghost Pirates turned the puck over in their own zone. Less than five minutes later, Low scored the go-ahead goal, marking the 100th of his career. Moments later, Dureau added his second goal of the night, and Kersten sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Both teams will return to action on Friday. The Solar Bears will host the Jacksonville Icemen, while the Ghost Pirates will visit Atlanta.