Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Admirals - Feb. 16, 2017

Solar Bears Game 51 • Home Game 25 • ECHL Game 688

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (24-18-6-2) vs. Norfolk Admirals (18-26-4-0)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Click herePROMOTION:

• Faith & Family Weekend presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. featuring The Master’s Academy + food drive to support The Forgotten Ones - a ministry to kids aging out of foster care.
• 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.

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears take on the Norfolk Admirals on home ice for the first time since Oct. 24, 2015 to begin a three-game set against their South Division opponent. Orlando came away with identical 6-3 wins at home in a pair of games early last season. The Admirals began the season with Rod Aldoff as their coach before relieving him 17 games into the season, with former NHL bench boss Robbie Ftorek taking over at the helm; the change appears to have stabilized the ship, as Norfolk has gone 16-15-0-0 since the switch, and the Admirals have reeled off three straight wins.

FAMILIAR FACES:T.J. Foster was reassigned to the Admirals by the Toronto Marlies in November, and has helped lead the turnaround for Norfolk, while the Admirals recently swung a deal with the Idaho Steelheads on Feb. 8 to acquire Brady Vail. Defenseman Mike Krieg, skating in his first season of ECHL hockey, also appeared in training camp with Orlando last season.

BUBELA BEGINNING TO FIND SCORING TOUCH:After going without a goal in his first eight games with Orlando, rookie forward Milos Bubela has started to make it look easy, recording goals in two of his last three games; he was held without a shot on goal in Sunday’s loss at South Carolina. Bubela is producing at a point-per-game rate since joining the Solar Bears, recording 11 points (2g-9a) through 11 games.

PERRY APPROACHING PERSONAL MILESTONE:Joe Perry is one goal away from tying his personal best of 26, set during his rookie season with the Quad City Mallards. The third-year pro also is two goals away from matching Mickey Lang’s single-season record of 27 goals.

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

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Manderson – 42Goals: Perry – 25Assists: Manderson – 31+/-: Block & Manderson – +11PIM: Miller – 64SOG: Perry – 138

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two points from 100 career Solar Bears points (32g-66a)
• Perry: Two goals from tying Mickey Lang for single-season record for goals scored (27)

STREAKS

• NONE

AFFILIATE NOTES:Tony Cameranesi recorded two shots on goal and went +2, but the Toronto Marlies fell on the road to the Utica Comets. The Marlies are idle until they return to Ricoh Coliseum on Friday, when they host the Manitoba Moose. The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, and are off until Saturday when they host the Ottawa Senators.

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. Norfolk Admirals - Friday, Feb. 17 - 7 p.m. – Faith & Family Weekend presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. featuring The Master’s Academy + food drive to support The Forgotten Ones - a ministry to kids aging out of foster care
• Solar Bears vs. Norfolk Admirals - Sunday, Feb. 19 - 1:30 p.m. – Faith & Family Weekend presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. featuring The Master’s Academy + food drive to support The Forgotten Ones - a ministry to kids aging out of foster care
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators - Wednesday, Feb. 22 - 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.