Game Preview: Solar Bears at Eagles - Jan. 8, 2017

Solar Bears Game 36 • Away Game 17 • ECHL Game 452

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (18-11-4-2) at Colorado Eagles (20-10-1-3)VENUE: Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, Colo.DATE: Sunday, Jan. 8, 5:05 p.m. ETWATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on KPAW 107.9 FMTONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears face the Colorado Eagles for the final time in the 2016-17 regular season. With both teams splitting the first two contests of the series, Orlando looks to come away with the series win in the rubber match. The Solar Bears also have a chance to make up some ground on first place in the South Division, with the Florida Everblades idle today.

MILLER TIES FRANCHISE MARK:Brenden Miller’s second period goal for the Solar Bears on Saturday gave him a goal in his fifth consecutive game, tying the club record set by Ryan Cruthers during the 2012-13 season.  The streak for Miller began on Dec. 30 in Orlando’s home match against Greenville. The defenseman has been shooting the puck more frequently during that span, as he is averaging 4.2 shots per game over the course of the streak. Miller’s goal streak is also the largest current goal-scoring streak of any player in the entire ECHL.

BAIER APPROACHING CENTURY MARK:Eric Baier could soon join Denver Manderson and Jacob Cepis in the 100-point club, as the defenseman scored his third goal of the season last night, giving him 96 career points with Orlando (31g-65a).

BLOCK ON VERGE OF 100 ECHL GAMES:Should Austin Block play tonight, the forward will be suiting up in his 100th career ECHL game. The fourth-year pro is enjoying a breakout campaign in his first full season with the Solar Bears since being acquired in a mid-season trade with Manchester last season.

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

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 38Goals: Perry – 18Assists: Manderson – 25+/-: Manderson – +15PIM: Miller – 45SOG: Faille – 130

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Four points from 100 career Solar Bears points (31g-65a)
• Block: 1 game for 100 career ECHL games
• Crane: Two points from 100 career ECHL points (53g-45a)
• Faille: Two points from 100 career Solar Bears points (38g-60a)

STREAKS

• Block: 2-game assist streak (3a)
• Brouillard: 2-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Miller: 5-game point streak (5g-1a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:Tony Cameranesi earned his first AHL point of the season with an assist on a third period goal by Andreas Johnsson and former Solar Bears goaltender Garret Sparks made 24 saves as the Toronto Marlies blanked the Rochester Americans by a 5-0 score yesterday; the two teams rematch today at 3 p.m., while the Toronto Maple Leafs are off until Friday following a 5-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens last night.

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:

• Military Appreciation Night & Patriotic Jersey – Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades - Saturday, Jan. 21 - 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Thursday, Jan. 26 - 7 p.m. – First-ever meeting between Orlando and the defending back-to-back Kelly Cup champions
• Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Sunday, Jan. 29 - 1:30 p.m. – UCF vs. UF game following Solar Bears game

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.