Game Preview: Solar Bears at Komets - Dec. 18, 2016

Solar Bears Game 27 • Away Game 13 • ECHL Game 350

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (16-7-3-0) at Fort Wayne Komets (14-7-3-0)VENUE: Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Ind.DATE: Sunday, Dec. 18, 5 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Visit our website or download the new Solar Bears mobile app to listen to the game via MixlrTODAY:The Orlando Solar Bears complete their four-game swing through the Midwest with their lone battle of the season against the Fort Wayne Komets. The Solar Bears jumped into first place in the South Division last night thanks to a point earned in a 3-2 overtime loss to Kalamazoo – with second-place Florida and the North Division-leading Manchester Monarchs idle this evening, a win would move the Solar Bears into first place in the entire Eastern Conference.

WATLING EXPECTED TO HIT CENTURY MARK IN CAREER GAMES PLAYED:Should Patrick Watling dress for the Solar Bears today, he will be suiting up in his 100th career professional game. Watling has 71 career points (24g-47a) in 70 games with the Solar Bears, and also skated in 29 contests with the Toronto Marlies in his rookie season of 2014-15, recording two goals and an assist.

MANDERSON APPROACHING 100 CAREER POINTS WITH ORLANDO:With another assist on Saturday, Denver Manderson now has 97 points in his career with the Solar Bears (32g-65a). The forward has passed teammate Eric Baier for second in franchise history in points, and when he hits 100 career points with Orlando, he will join Jacob Cepis as only the second player in team history to reach the plateau.

FAMILIAR FACES:The Solar Bears are expected to have a few former Komets in the lineup tonight, as Joe Perry and Brock Montgomery suited up for Fort Wayne in 2015-16. Solar Bears fans tuning into the broadcast will likely recognize a familiar name, as Brady Vail signed with the Komets this past offseason, and recently returned to Fort Wayne following a brief stint with the Rochester Americans in the AHL.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 0-0-0-0Home: 0-0-0-0Road: 0-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 0-1-0-02015-16 Home: 0-0-0-02015-16 Away: 0-1-0-0Last 5 Years: 2-6-0-1Last 5 Years Home: 1-3-0-1Last 5 Years Away: 1-3-0-0

LEADERSPoints: Findlay & Manderson  – 31Goals: Perry – 15Assists: Findlay – 22+/-: Manderson – +18PIM: Miller – 35SOG: Faille – 108

BEAR TRACKER

• Patrick Watling: 1 game for 100 career pro games

STREAKS

• Crane: 4-game point streak: (5g-1a)
• Faille: 6-game point streak (5g-4a)
• Findlay: 4-game point streak (3g-4a)
• Manderson: 5-game point streak (1g-6a)­­

AFFILIATE NOTES:After dropping a 3-1 decision to the Albany Devils on Saturday, the Toronto Marlies rematch with Albany today at 3 p.m. The Toronto Maple Leafs ended a three-game slide last night with a 2-1 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and return to the ice tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks.

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.