Weekly Report: December 12, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears continue their 10-game road trip this week when they make their way through the Midwest, taking on the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday, Dec. 14, the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17, and the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday, Dec. 18.

THIS WEEK:Wednesday, Dec. 14 – 7:05 p.m.WesBanco Arena – Wheeling, W. Va.Orlando Solar Bears at Wheeling Nailers

Friday, Dec. 16 – 7 p.m.Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, Mich.Orlando Solar Bears at Kalamazoo Wings

Saturday, Dec. 17 – 7 p.m.Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, Mich.Orlando Solar Bears at Kalamazoo Wings

Sunday, Dec. 18 – 5 p.m.Allen County Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, Ind.Orlando Solar Bears at Fort Wayne Komets

Orlando14-7-2-0, 30 points2nd place, South Division

Wheeling Nailers11-8-2-0, 24 points5th place, North Division

Kalamazoo Wings9-14-0-2, 20 points6th place, Central Division

Fort Wayne Komets13-6-3-0, 29 points3rd place, Central Division

LAST WEEK: 3-1-0-0

Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Orlando 5, Greenville 2The Solar Bears scored three straight within the game’s first seven minutes to chase Swamp Rabbits goaltender Jeff Malcolm, and the Solar Bears third line of Chase Witala, Austin Block and Brock Montgomery combined for three goals and six assists in a spirited win for Orlando.

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Greenville 6, Orlando 2The Solar Bears earned the lead thanks to Taylor Doherty’s second of the year, but Greenville took the lead in the second period and then scored four in the third to force a split of the two-game set.

Friday, Dec. 9 – Orlando 4, Atlanta 2Orlando established a three-goal lead by the second period, but the Gladiators kept the game tight with two goals before Ben Danford sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Sunday, Dec. 11 – Orlando 4, Atlanta 1The Solar Bears got power-play goals from Nikolas Brouillard and Patrick Watling, and Kasimir Kaskisuo made a season-high 36 saves for Orlando.

BEAR TRACKS:

Kaskisuo Turning the CornerSolar Bears rookie goaltender – and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect – Kasimir Kaskisuo has been rounding into form over the past few weeks for Orlando; the netminder is unbeaten in regulation since the switch to head coach Drake Berehowsky, and won all three of his starts last week, stopping 103 of 108 shots for a sparkling 1.68 goals-against average and .954 save percentage.

Offense SurgingAs of Monday, the Solar Bears lead the Eastern Conference (and are second in the league behind only Toledo) with an average of 3.91 goals for per game, while the team leads the entire league in average shots for per game with 37.39.

Shorthanded SpecialistsBrett Findlay’s shorthanded tally on Tuesday at Greenville was his second shorthanded marker of the season, tying him with teammate Eric Faille and several other skaters for the league lead. The Solar Bears are tied with Reading for the Eastern Conference lead with five shorthanded goals in 2016-17.

Cameranesi Catching FireThrough the season’s first 14 games, Tony Cameranesi only had three goals to his stat line, but the forward has turned things around as of late. Over his last nine games, the rookie has found the back of the net five times and added six assists. He is also second in shots on goal among first year players with 75 and first among rookies with three game-winning goals on the season.

Shoot to ThrillAfter last week’s games, Austin Block now leads the ECHL with six goals on 20 shots for a 30.0% shooting percentage. The forward notably enjoyed a three-point effort on Tuesday at Greenville with a goal and two assists.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:Monday, Dec. 12 – NO PRACTICETuesday, Dec. 13 – 9 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice Den – Team departs for airport after practicePractice locations and times are subject to change

Fans and media are invited to attend all on-ice practice sessions held at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, the official training facility of the Solar Bears. Flash photography and unauthorized video recording of Orlando Solar Bears practice sessions is not permitted. The RDV Sportsplex Ice Den is located at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Ugly Sweater jerseys – 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.

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.

ON THE AIR:Orlandosolarbearshockey.com is now the broadcast home of the Solar Bears via the Mixlr streaming service. Radio broadcasts of Solar Bears games can be streamed online for free on any PC or mobile device. Pay-per-view video webcasts of all Solar Bears games are also available at ECHL.TV.

Single-game tickets for the 2016-17 season 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.

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and play all of their home games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Follow the Solar Bears at OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates. Stay in touch with Shades on Instagram by following SolarBearsHockey.

Season tickets, Corporate Flex vouchers, and Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on all of the Solar Bears ticket packages, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.