Game Preview: Solar Bears at Stingrays - Nov. 1, 2016

Solar Bears Game 5 • Away Game 1 • ECHL Game 89

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (1-3-0-0) at South Carolina Stingrays (1-3-1-0)VENUE: North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C.DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:05 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSBN on Mixlr

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears face off against the South Carolina Stingrays for a rematch less than a week after Orlando defeated South Carolina 2-1 for their first win of the season on Thursday. The Stingrays earned their first victory the following night with a 2-1 overtime victory at Florida, before being shut out in a 4-0 loss the next evening against the Everblades.

HIT ‘EM WITH YOUR BEST SHOT:The Solar Bears now lead the ECHL with an average of 40 shots for per game, while the Stingrays have struggled to generate offensive chances, with the second-lowest totals of 24.6 shots for per game. Orlando’s shot averages are the result of fairly even distribution between periods, as the team does not own top-three totals for most shots in any particular period thus far this season.

THIRD PERIOD DIFFERENTIALS:The Solar Bears may benefit from a lack of third period scoring by the Stingrays, as South Carolina has failed to score in the final frame so far this season, while the team has surrendered seven goals in the third period. Orlando has an even goal differential with four goals scored and allowed in the third period.

WATCHING SPECIAL TEAMS:Tonight’s matchup pits two of the ECHL’s top seven power play squad against each other. South Carolina is second, converting on 27.3 percent of its chances, while Orlando is seventh with 22.2 percent. Both teams scored on the man advantage in their meeting last week.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 1-0-0-0Home: 1-0-0-0Road: 0-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 2-5-0-12015-16 Home: 0-4-0-02015-16 Away: 2-1-0-1Last 5 Years: 14-19-3-2Last 5 Years Home: 6-11-2-1Last 5 Years Away: 8-8-1-1

LEADERSPoints: Findlay – 4Goals: Perry – 3Assists: Multiple – 3+/-: Multiple – +1PIM: Moore – 25SOG: Werek – 16

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier & Findlay: Needs four goals to pass Mickey Lang (32) for fourth in team history
• Manderson: Needs one point to pass Mike Ullrich (67) for fifth in team history

STREAKS

• Brace: two-game assist streak (2a)
• Findlay: three-game point streak (1g-3a)
• Werek: two-game point streak (1g-2a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies saw their four-game win streak come to an end over the weekend, but the Marlies still managed to pick up a point in a 4-3 shootout loss at Albany on Saturday, and look to get back in the win column this weekend with games at St. John’s. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers tonight at 7:30 p.m.

NEXT GAME:The Solar Bears take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The Orlando Solar Bears return home on Thursday, Nov. 10, when they host the Stingrays at 7 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com. Full and half-season ticket plans are now available by visiting OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com.