Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Swamp Rabbits - Nov. 17, 2016

Solar Bears Game 12 • Home Game 8 • ECHL Game 192

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (5-5-1-0) vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-3-2-0)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Thursday, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Vist our website to listen to the game via MixlrTICKETS: Click herePROMOTION:The Orlando Solar Bears host their first-ever School Day Game, presented by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. All Central Florida K-12 schools are invited to spend the morning with Orlando’s professional hockey team in a field trip atmosphere, where students will enjoy a unique educational experience while enjoying the fast-paced action of live ice hockey. Students will receive hockey-related educational materials that are curriculum-approved and cover math, science, geography and more.

A complimentary lunch will be provided for all students in attendance by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

TODAY:The Orlando Solar Bears embark on a new era as Drake Berehowsky was named head coach on Monday. The Solar Bears face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for the third time this season and the first on home ice – Orlando split a pair of overtime decisions with the Swamp Rabbits earlier this month at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. In the last four seasons, the Solar Bears have recorded a 13-4-0-3 record at home against Greenville.

FAILLE AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS IN SHOTS:Last year’s leading scorer, Eric Faille, is already off to a hot start this season with Orlando, as he has recorded 11 points (3g-8a) in 11 games; additionally, the third-year pro is currently tied for 13th in the ECHL with 42 shots on goal. Faille is averaging 1.30 more shots per games than last season; at this rate he will eclipse 200 shots on goal this season if he matches his previous season’s total of 56 games played.

BRADLEY CLOSE TO RETURN:An encouraging sign for the Solar Bears was the activation of rookie defenseman Chris Bradley from the injured reserve on Wednesday afternoon. Bradley has yet to play a game in his first full season of pro hockey after joining the Solar Bears late in the 2015-16 season, following the completion of his collegiate career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 12 games with Orlando last spring, the Williamsville, N.Y. native scored a goal and added two assists, while his +6 rating over that span led the team.

FINDLAY HELPING DRIVE SUCCESS FOR SOLAR BEARS:So far this season, Brett Findlay hasn’t been held in check too often by the opposition. The third-year Solar Bears forward has gotten on the scoresheet in eight of 11 games. When Findlay records a point, Orlando has posted a 5-3-0-0 record; the Solar Bears are 3-1-0-0 when he scores a goal.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 1-0-1-0Home: 0-0-0-0Road: 1-0-1-02015-16 Overall: 5-4-0-02015-16 Home: 3-1-0-02015-16 Away: 2-3-0-0Last 5 Years: 20-13-1-3Last 5 Years Home: 13-4-0-3Last 5 Years Away: 7-9-1-0

LEADERSPoints: Findlay – 12Goals: Findlay & Perry – 4Assists: Findlay & Faille – 8+/-: Watling – +4PIM: Moore – 27SOG: Faille – 42

BEAR TRACKER

• Findlay: Needs one goal to tie C.J. Severyn (33) for second in team history; three goals to tie Jacob Cepis and Brady Vail (35) for first
• Baier: Needs two goals to tie Brett Findlay and Mickey Lang (32) for third in team history; two points to tie Brady Vail (87) for second in team history

STREAKS

• Manderson: 5-game point streak (2g-4a
• Watling: 2-game assist streak (2a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies are idle today while they await their two-game weekend series against the St.  John’s IceCaps, while the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers tonight at 7:30 p.m.

NEXT GAME:The Orlando Solar Bears welcome the Missouri Mavericks to the City Beautiful for the first time in team history on Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. 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.