Weekly Report: February 20, 2017

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears race for the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs continues this week with a trio of games this week against the Atlanta Gladiators at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. The Solar Bears are coming off a week in which they earned six of a possible eight points and remain in a neck-and-neck battle for second place with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and South Carolina Stingrays.

THIS WEEK:Wednesday, Feb. 22 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators

Friday, Feb. 24 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta GladiatorsPromotion: Country Music Night

Sunday, Feb. 26 – 1:30 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta GladiatorsPromotion: 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.

Orlando26-18-6-3, 61 points4th place, South Division

Atlanta Gladiators20-24-6-1, 47 points6th place, South Division

LAST WEEK: 2-0-1-1

Wednesday, Feb. 15 – Florida 3, Orlando 2 (OT)With Orlando trailing 2-1 in the third period, Milos Bubela tied the score with a power-play goal, snapping a season-long drought for Orlando on the man advantage against the Everblades. Zach Kamrass netted the eventual overtime-winner for the Everblades.

Thursday, Feb. 16 – Orlando 4, Norfolk 2Daniel Maggio’s power-play goal in the third period stood up as the game-winning goal, Patrick Watling tallied two assists and Kasimir Kaskisuo made 32 saves as Orlando picked up their first victory of their regular season series with the Norfolk Admirals.

Friday, Feb. 17 – Orlando 7, Norfolk 4Seven separate players found the back of the net for the Solar Bears, as Chris Crane and Darik Angeli each recorded a goal and two assists in Orlando’s second consecutive win over the Admirals.

Sunday, Feb. 19 – Norfolk 3, Orlando 2 (SO)The Solar Bears, playing their fourth game in five days, battled back from a 1-0 deficit in the third period to take a 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Ben Danford and Alex Gacek, but Norfolk got the tying score late in regulation and prevailed in the shootout.

BEAR TRACKS:

Tight Division RaceAs of Monday, Orlando, South Carolina and Greenville are all tied with 61 points in the South Division standings. Due to tiebreaking procedures, Orlando is currently seeded fourth in the division.

Miller Rewarded with AHL Call-UpSecond-year defenseman Brenden Miller was recalled to the Toronto Marlies on Monday, and dressed in his first career AHL game, recording a goal late in the first period that stood up as the eventual game-winner as Toronto went on to beat the Binghamton Senators 4-2. Miller is in the final year of a two-year AHL contract he signed upon completion of his major junior career with the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion.

Holding Down the LeadWhen the Solar Bears manage to establish a lead in the game’s first 20 minutes, it often has led to a strong finish, as Orlando leads the Eastern Conference with 19 victories when taking a lead into the first intermission. The Solar Bears are also 17-0-1-0 when leading after two periods of play.

Perry Could Make History This WeekWith five goals in his last 10 games, Joe Perry is now within striking distance of tying the ECHL Solar Bears single-season record of 27 goals set by Mickey Lang in 2013-14. The third-year pro matched his own personal-best of 26 goals last night after previously reaching the mark in his rookie season of 2014-15 with the Quad City Mallards.

Orlando Enjoying Seven-Game Point Streak at HomeDating back to Orlando’s 4-3 shootout win over the Allen Americans on Jan. 26, the Solar Bears have gone on a seven-game streak in which the team is unbeaten in regulation on ARS.com Rink at Amway Center ice. The club has gone 5-0-1-1 (.857) in that span, and has seven games remaining in its current homestand and nine total games remaining on home ice in the 2016-17 regular season schedule.

EYE ON THE AHL:

• Tony Cameranesi – Cameranesi finished last week with six shots on goal and a +2 in three games for the Marlies.
• Eric Faille – Faille recorded one shot on goal in the Marlies’ 1-0 win over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday.
• Brett Findlay – After dressing in Toronto’s 5-2 win over Toronto on Friday, Findlay opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the contest in Monday’s matinee against the Binghamton Senators.
• Brenden Miller – Miller scored against the Binghamton Senators in the first period in Toronto’s afternoon matinee at the Air Canada Centre for his first career AHL goal, in what would eventually stand up as the game-winner in a 4-2 decision.
• Ethan Werek – Werek recorded the lone goal on Saturday for the Texas Stars in their 4-1 home loss to the Chicago Wolves.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:Monday, Feb. 20 – OFF DAYTuesday, Feb. 21 – 10-11 a.m. – ARS.com Rink at Amway Center (CLOSED TO PUBLIC)Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Gameday skate at ARS.com Rink at Amway CenterThursday, Feb. 23 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenFriday, Feb. 24 – Gameday skate at ARS.com Rink at Amway CenterPractice locations and times are subject to change

Fans and media are invited to attend all on-ice practice sessions held at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, the official training facility of the Solar Bears. Flash photography and unauthorized video recording of Orlando Solar Bears practice sessions is not permitted. The RDV Sportsplex Ice Den is located at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Wednesday, Feb. 22 – 7 p.m.
• 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

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.

ON THE AIR:Orlandosolarbearshockey.com is now the broadcast home of the Solar Bears via the Mixlr streaming service. Radio broadcasts of Solar Bears games can be streamed online for free on any PC or mobile device. Pay-per-view video webcasts of all Solar Bears games are also available at ECHL.TV.

Single-game tickets for the 2016-17 season 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.

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and play all of their home games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Follow the Solar Bears at OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates. Stay in touch with Shades on Instagram by following SolarBearsHockey.

Season tickets, Corporate Flex vouchers, and Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on all of the Solar Bears ticket packages, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.