Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Americans - Jan. 26, 2017

Solar Bears Game 42 • Away Game 21 • ECHL Game 557

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (20-15-4-2) vs. Allen Americans (26-15-2-1)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Fla.DATE: Thursday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Purchase tickets here

PROMOTION: Thirsty Thursday – Fans can enjoy $5 domestic draft beers throughout the Amway Center.

Fans can also take advantage of $2 Coors Light drafts before and after Thursday’s game, along with food specials at Ferg’s Depot on Church Street. Fans can purchase discounted game tickets for as low as $14 at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/fergs. If Orlando scores the first goal of the game, fans can bring their tickets to Ferg’s Depot after the game to receive a free special Solar Bears appetizer with the purchase of a beverage.TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears welcome a new opponent to the City Beautiful as Orlando hosts the Allen Americans for the first time in team history. The Americans are the back-to-back defending Kelly Cup champions after defeating the South Carolina Stingrays in seven games in 2015, and followed that up with a six-game finals win over the Wheeling Nailers in 2016.

FAMILIAR FACES:Solar Bears defenseman Trevor Ludwig was a part of Allen’s championships during the team’s tenure in the Central Hockey League and it’s first Kelly Cup championship, while Chris Crane had been a member of both Kelly Cup titles upon the Americans’ admittance into the ECHL in 2015. Crane was acquired for forward Bryan Moore, who has split time between Allen and the Americans’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.

GACEK PRODUCES UPON RETURNING TO THE LINEUP:Despite missing Friday’s game at Florida, Alex Gacek returned to the Solar Bears lineup on Saturday and was credited with an assist on Eric Baier’s shorthanded goal in the second period, bringing his point streak to nine points (3g-6a) in his last four games.

ANGELI FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET:Forward Darik Angeli has also helped offensively for the Solar Bears with several of the team’s leading scorers out of the lineup, as the forward has notched four goals over his last six games. During that span he has also maintained a +2 rating.

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

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Manderson – 42Goals: Perry – 21Assists: Manderson – 31+/-: Block – +13PIM: Carrier – 49SOG: Manderson – 133

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two points from 100 career Solar Bears points (32g-66a)

STREAKS

• Bubela: 2-game assist streak (2a)
• Gacek: 4-game point streak (3g-6a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:Nikolas Brouillard made his AHL debut and recorded three shots on goal for the Marlies last night as Toronto came away with a 2-1 shootout win at Rochester. The Maple Leafs blanked the Red Wings on the road by a 4-0 score yesterday and are in Philadelphia tonight to take on the Flyers at 7 p.m.

APP:The Solar Bears mobile app, presented by BB&T, gives 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 app is FREE and available for both iOS and Android devices.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Sunday, Jan. 29 - 1:30 p.m. – UCF vs. UF game following Solar Bears game
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits - Thursday, Feb. 2 - 7 p.m.
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits - Saturday, Feb. 4 - 7 p.m. – Guns n’ Hoses charity game between Central Florida Enforcers and Orange County Fire Rescue at 2 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.