Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gladiators - Oct. 28, 2016

Solar Bears Game 3 • Home Game 3 • ECHL Game 70

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (1-1-0-0) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (2-3-1-1)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSBN on MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTION:Tonight is SHADES' birthday. Join us as we celebrate the birthday of the coolest mascot in hockey!

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears take on the Atlanta Gladiators for the first of two consecutive home matches against the team from Duluth, Ga. Although each team earned three wins against the other last season, Orlando took the series by virtue of earning points in overtime and shootout losses. Atlanta is coming off of a 4-2 defeat at home to the Wichita Thunder on Thursday.

DISHING ‘EM OUT:2015-16 leading scorer Eric Faille was a vital performer for Orlando against Atlanta last season, recording two goals and three assists in five games to lead the way for the Solar Bears. He has recorded an assist in each of Orlando’s games so far this season.

NOT A BAD DEBUT:Forward Ethan Werek continues to maintain over point-per-game average in his time in the ECHL. After putting up 26 points (12g-14a) in 25 games with the Florida Everblades last season, Werek made his debut for Orlando on Thursday night and chipped in two assists. The forward also accounted for more than 20 percent of the Solar Bears’ shots on goal, as he was credited with six shots in the game.

NET GAINS:After earning the victory over South Carolina on Thursday night, Ryan Massa picked up his 20th career pro win with the Solar Bears. Massa fared strong against Atlanta in the 2015-16 series, as he posted a 3-1-1 record in five appearances with a 1.77 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 0-0-0-0Home: 0-0-0-0Road: 0-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 3-1-1-12015-16 Home: 2-1-0-02015-16 Away: 1-0-1-1Last 5 Years: 20-14-4-4Last 5 Years Home: 14-4-1-1Last 5 Years Away: 6-10-3-3

LEADERSPoints: Multiple – 2Goals: Multiple – 1Assists: Multiple – 2+/-: Multiple – +2PIM: Multiple – 2SOG: Multiple – 6

BEAR TRACKER

• Findlay: Needs four goals to pass Mickey Lang (32) for fourth in team history
• Manderson: Needs two points to pass Mike Ullrich (67) for fifth in team history
• Montgomery: Next game is 150th pro game

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies are in Albany tonight to face the Devils in the midst of a three-game win streak. Tyler Bozak scored twice for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday as they held off the Florida Panthers in a 3-2 victory.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears host the Atlanta Gladiators on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. The Solar Bears will host Zombies on Ice, presented by NYZ Orlando, featuring specialty zombie jerseys and a zombie drink coozie giveaway to the first 3,000 fans in attendance, along with spine-tingling in-game entertainment! Click here to purchase tickets.