Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - Dec. 3, 2016

Solar Bears Game 19 • Away Game 14 • ECHL Game 271

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (11-5-2-0) at Florida Everblades (12-3-1-2)VENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Visit our website or download the new Solar Bears mobile app to listen to the game via MixlrTONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears continue their Wawa Sunshine Cup Series with the Florida Everblades following a 5-2 victory at home on Friday night over their South Division rivals. The series is now tied with each team holding two points in head-to-head competition. Orlando is only three points behind Florida for first place in the division after overtaking Atlanta for second place the night before.

HITTING THE ROAD:After enjoying the comforts of home for the last 10 games, the Solar Bears begin a stretch of 10 games on the road, bookended with games against the Everblades. The Solar Bears are 3-0-1-0 away from the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center this season; this will be the first road trip for the team for head coach Drake Berehowsky.

Six of the games will be against division opponents – Friday night’s victory has improved Orlando’s record within the division to 7-5-1-0. One source of strength for the Solar Bears while on the road this season has been the team’s penalty kill: the Solar Bears are a perfect 22-for-22 on the PK.

BEARS SMOTHER SHOT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERBLADES:Orlando held the Everblades to just 27 shots on goal on Friday, the lowest total that Florida has managed in a single game all season long, while the hosts still maintained a high volume of shots on goal with 36.

MANDERSON BOUNCING BACK:With his two goals on Friday, Denver Manderson has retaken the team points lead with 21 (9g-12a) on the season; his nine goals gives him the tie-breaker over Brett Findlay (5g-16a). The forward is enjoying a resurgent campaign, having already surpassed his goal and point totals from the previous season.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 1-1-0-0Home: 1-1-0-0Road: 0-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 4-10-0-02015-16 Home: 2-6-0-02015-16 Away: 2-4-0-0Last 5 Years: 25-33-2-1Last 5 Years Home: 12-17-1-0Last 5 Years Away: 13-16-1-1

LEADERSPoints: Findlay & Manderson  – 21Goals: Perry – 10Assists: Findlay – 16+/-: Findlay – +12PIM: Findlay – 18SOG: Faille – 80

BEAR TRACKER

• Findlay: Needs two goals to tie Jacob Cepis and Brady Vail (35) for first in team history
• Baier: Needs two goals to tie Mickey Lang (32) for fourth in team history
• Manderson: Needs one point to pass Brady Vail (87) for third most points in team history

STREAKS

• Block: 3-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Crane: 3-game point streak: (3g-1a)
• Findlay: 3-game assist streak (3a)
• Manderson: 2-game goal streak (3g)
• Massa: 5-game win streak
• Perry: 3-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Watling: 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 5 p.m. from Ricoh Coliseum after falling 3-2 in a road match to the Rochester Americans. The Maple Leafs drop the puck in a Hockey Night in Canada rematch with the Vancouver Canucks – fans will recall the teams combined for 171 penalty minutes in a 6-3 Toronto win on Nov. 6.

NEW APP:The Solar Bears have released a brand-new mobile app, presented by BB&T, giving Solar Bears fans everything they need right in their pocket. The app is also home to the brand-new Loyalty & Rewards Program, which provides Solar Bears fans with opportunities to accumulate points and redeem them for exclusive prizes. The new app is FREE and available for both iOS and Android devices.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Ugly Sweater jersey - Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades - Thursday, Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades - Tuesday, Dec. 27 - 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits - Friday, Dec. 30 - 7 p.m.

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.