Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gladiators - Feb. 26, 2017

Solar Bears Game 56 • Home Game 30 • ECHL Game 741

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (27-19-6-3) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (21-25-6-1)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Sunday, Feb. 26, 1:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Click herePROMOTION: FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – the first 100 FAIRWINDS members to show their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card, as well as their ID, at the Amway Center box office window on Sunday will score two free tickets for that day’s game. Even if you’re running a bit late, all FAIRWINDS members will receive a buy one, get one offer for that night’s game once all the free tickets have been claimed. Click here for more information.

TODAY:The Orlando Solar Bears complete their regular season series against Atlanta when they play their third game in five days against their South Division opponents. The Solar Bears have already guaranteed a win of the nine-game season series with five wins (all in regulation), and now seek another two points to restore a 16-point lead on the Gladiators as they look to close out the month of February, in which Orlando has gone 5-1-0-1 on home ice.

WITALA MAKES IMPACT IN RETURN:After being held out of the lineup on Wednesday, Chase Witala returned to game duty on Friday, and opened the scoring in the first period for Orlando and set up Alex Gacek’s power-play marker that came in the second frame.

GACEK TAKES ORLANDO ROOKIE MULTI-POINT LEAD:With a  three-point outing on Friday, Alex Gacek now has seven multi-point games for Orlando this season since joining the team, the most of any rookie skater for the Solar Bears, and grabbing hold of sole possession of that distinction from Tony Cameranesi. The Solar Bears are 4-1-1-1 (.714 win percentage) when Gacek records two or more points in a game.

DANFORD HAVING PRODUCTIVE FEBRUARY:While technically still a rookie by ECHL roster rules, defenseman Ben Danford has been playing like a seasoned veteran over the past few weeks, as his 10 points (2g-8a) lead Orlando’s blueline in the month of February, while also ranking second on the back end with a +10 rating.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 5-3-0-0Home: 1-3-0-0Away: 4-0-0-02015-16 Overall: 3-1-1-12015-16 Home: 2-1-0-02015-16 Away: 1-0-1-1Last 5 Years: 25-17-4-4Last 5 Years Home: 15-7-1-1Last 5 Years Away: 10-10-3-3

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 45Goals: Perry – 28Assists: Manderson – 31+/-: Danford – +17PIM: Miller – 66SOG: Perry – 162

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two points from 100 career Solar Bears points (32g-66a)
• Massa: 40 saves for 2,000 in his Solar Bears career

STREAKS

• Gacek: 6-game point streak (3g-6a)
• Faille: 3-game point streak (2g-5a)
• Massa: 2-game win streak (2-0-0)
• Miller: 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
• Perry: 2-game goal streak (2g)

AFFILIATE NOTES:Both of Orlando’s affiliates are idle today after the Toronto Marlies fell in a 4-3 battle at Hershey, while the Toronto Maple Leafs were edged by the Montreal Canadiens in a 3-2 overtime decision.

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. 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.
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Saturday, March 4 - 7 p.m. – Noche Latina presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A.
• Solar Bears vs. Utah Grizzlies – Friday, March 10 – 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.