Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gladiators - Feb. 22, 2017

Solar Bears Game 54 • Home Game 28 • ECHL Game 731

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (26-18-6-3) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (20-24-6-1)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Click here

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears begin a three-game homestand against the Atlanta Gladiators. These will be the final three matches in which Orlando and Atlanta do battle in the 2016-17 regular season; Atlanta is visiting Orlando for the first time since late October. The Solar Bears will look to the reverse the trend that has held up through the first six games of the regular season series, as the visiting team has won every match so far.

FAILLE’S RETURN BOLSTERS SOLAR BEARS OFFENSE:The Solar Bears received some good news on Wednesday with the announcement of the return of Eric Faille. The second-year Solar Bears forward is the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer with 40 in his career with Orlando, and is expected to play on a line with Milos Bubela and Joe Perry tonight against Atlanta. Faille leads Orlando with eight points (2g-6a) in five games against the Gladiators.

PERRY ON CUSP OF HISTORY:Joe Perry leads the Solar Bears against the Gladiators with five goals through six games. The third-year pro is also one goal away from tying Mickey Lang’s club record of 27 goals set in the 2013-14 season.

MATCHUP WITH GLADIATORS SUGGESTS GOALS GALORE:Although Orlando is already averaging an impressive 3.70 goals for per game this season, the Solar Bears have found tremendous offensive success against the Gladiators in the regular season series. Orlando has lit the lamp 29 times this season against Atlanta for an eye-popping 4.83 goals scored per game. The Solar Bears are 22-1-0-0 when scoring four or more goals this season.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 4-2-0-0Home: 0-2-0-0Away: 4-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 3-1-1-12015-16 Home: 2-1-0-02015-16 Away: 1-0-1-1Last 5 Years: 24-16-4-4Last 5 Years Home: 14-6-1-1Last 5 Years Away: 10-10-3-3

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille & Manderson – 42Goals: Perry – 26Assists: Manderson – 31+/-: Gacek – +16PIM: Miller – 66SOG: Perry – 151

BEAR TRACKER

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

STREAKS

• Gacek: 4-game assist streak (1g-4a)
• Angeli: 2-game point streak (1g-3a)
• Crane: 3-game point streak (2g-4a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies were down 2-0 to the Syracuse Crunch before Brett Findlay got Toronto on the board in the third period, and after Toronto forced overtime, Findlay provided the game winner as the Marlies prevailed 3-2 earlier today. The Maple Leafs return to action tomorrow to face the New York Rangers.

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. Atlanta Gladiators - Friday, Feb. 24 - 7 p.m. – Country Music Night
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators - Sunday, Feb. 26 - 1:30 p.m. – FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Thursday, March 2 – 7 p.m. – 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.

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.