Weekly Report: December 19, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears will play two Wawa Sunshine Cup Series games this week against their South Division rivals the Florida Everblades. Orlando completes its season-high 10-game road trip when they face the Everblades on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. before heading into the holiday break with a home match on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, Dec. 21 – 7:30 p.m.Germain Arena – Estero, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears at Florida Everblades

Thursday, Dec. 22 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades

Orlando16-8-3-0, 35 points1st place, South Division

Florida Everblades16-5-1-2, 35 points2nd place, South Division

LAST WEEK: 2-1-1-0

Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Orlando 5, Wheeling 2Brett Findlay enjoyed a three-point night and took sole possession of the franchise record for goals scored with his 36th career goal in a Solar Bears uniform as the team hammered the Nailers to begin a four-game swing through the Midwest.

Friday, Dec. 16 – Orlando 6, Kalamazoo 3The Solar Bears raced out to a four-goal lead in the first period, but Kalamazoo scored three quick tallies in the second period to close the gap; Joe Perry and Eric Faille added insurance goals for the Solar Bears, and Kasimir Kaskisuo set a new personal season-high with 41 saves.

Saturday, Dec. 17 – Kalamazoo 3, Orlando 2 (OT)Twice after falling behind Orlando rallied to force overtime, but the Wings got the overtime game-winner from Justin Taylor. The Solar Bears still moved into first place in the South Division with the point earned.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – Fort Wayne 7, Orlando 1The Solar Bears got an early first period lead from Tony Cameranesi, but the Komets scored seven unanswered goals and both teams combined for over 100 penalty minutes in the loss for Orlando.

BEAR TRACKS:

King of the SouthThis week’s pair of Wawa Sunshine Cup Series games will be especially critical for the Solar Bears, as the Everblades have three games in hand on Orlando. Both teams are tied with 35 points, but the Solar Bears have the first tiebreaker by virtue of more non-shootout wins.

Manderson Two Points Away from 100 with Solar BearsWith an assist on Tony Cameranesi’s goal on Sunday, alternate captain Denver Manderson now has 98 career points in 104 games with Orlando. Should he reach the 100-point plateau, he will join Jacob Cepis as only the second player in team history to hit the mark; teammates Eric Baier (94 points), Brett Findlay (93) and Eric Faille (89) are certainly in striking distance of reaching the achievement as well.

Cameranesi Leading Rookie Goal RaceNot only is Tony Cameranesi now the league’s leading rookie goal scorer, but he’s starting to become one of the top snipers in the entire league. His 12 goals have him only three behind Solar Bears team leader Joe Perry’s 15, and his four game-winning goals are second in the entire league only to Alaska’s Peter Sivak.

Massa Keeps Solar Bears Goalie Penalty Shot Streak AliveRyan Massa’s penalty shot stop on Wheeling’s Josh Shalla on Wednesday marked the first penalty shot a Solar Bears netminder faced this season. The Solar Bears have not faced multiple penalty shots in the same season since the 2013-14 campaign, when Garret Sparks and Maxime Clermont turned aside opposing shooters, while Cody Reichard surrendered a goal to David Pacan, then with the Kalamazoo Wings.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:Monday, Dec. 19 – Team returns from Fort WayneTuesday, Dec. 20 – 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice Den (Optional Practice)Wednesday, Dec. 21 – 10:30 a.m. morning skate before departing for EsteroThursday, Dec. 22 – Gameday skate at ARS.com Rink at Amway CenterPractice 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.