Weekly Report: February 27, 2017

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears close out a run of 15 consecutive games against South Division opponents this week when they host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for a pair of games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. These will be the final regular season meetings between the two clubs this season; Orlando has a 5-3-2-1 record against Greenville in 2016-17, and the Solar Bears boast a 16-4-1-4 record lifetime at home against the Swamp Rabbits.

THIS WEEK:

Thursday, March 2 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp RabbitsPromotion: Thirsty Thursday, presented by Ferg’s Depot on Church Street

Saturday, March 4 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp RabbitsPromotion: Noche Latina, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A.

Orlando28-19-6-3, 65 points3rd place, South Division

Greenville Swamp Rabbits31-20-4-1, 67 points2nd place, South Division

LAST WEEK: 2-1-0-0

Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Orlando 4, Atlanta 0Ryan Massa made 39 saves for his first shutout of the season, while Joe Perry tied Mickey Lang’s single-season record with his 27th goal and Eric Faille recorded two points in his return to Orlando after being reassigned from the Toronto Marlies as Orlando blanked the Gladiators.

Friday, Feb. 24 – Atlanta 5, Orlando 4Perry took sole possession of the club record for goals in a single season with an early third period goal, but the Gladiators got two goals from Rory Rawlyk and the visitors hung on for a 5-4 upset of the Solar Bears.

Sunday, Feb. 26 – Orlando 3, Atlanta 2 (SO)Chris Crane and Patrick Watling scored in regulation for Orlando, but an injury to Ryan Massa led the Solar Bears to turn to Kasimir Kaskisuo in goal to begin in the second period. After the Gladiators tied the score late in the third framewith a power-play goal, the Solar Bears got shootout goals from Austin Block and Alex Gacek to secure the win.

BEAR TRACKS:

The Month That WasThe Solar Bears concluded the month of February with a 7-4-1-1 record, and a 6-1-0-1 record on home ice. Orlando’s win percentage of .813 at home this month marked the second-best February in franchise history, after the 2013-14 Solar Bears, who went 6-0-0-0 (1.000 win percentage) at home in the month of February.

Danford Wraps Up Strong February PerformanceDefenseman Ben Danford finished the month of February with nine points (2g-7a) and a +10 rating in 13 games. His nine points account for half of his offensive production for the entire season, with 18 points (6g-12a) in 46 total games.

Faille Maintaining High ProductionSecond-year Solar Bears forward Eric Faille has not skipped a beat since his reassignment last week from the Toronto Marlies, as he has tallied four points (1g-3a) over three games since his return. Faille will be looked upon heavily in this week’s pair of games against Greenville, as he has seven points in seven games against the Swamp Rabbits this season. Faille is only six points back from tying Jacob Cepis as the franchise’s all-time career points leader.

Perry Puts Record Behind HimWith 28 goals on the season, Joe Perry is now Orlando’s record-holder for most goals in a single season. Seven of his 28 goals came in the month of February, and three of those tallies were game-winners for the Solar Bears. The native of Nanaimo, British Columbia is currently eighth in the league in goals scored, and third in the Eastern Conference, while skating in all but one game for the Solar Bears this season. Perry, a third-year pro skating in his first campaign for Orlando, previously won three NCAA championships at the Division III level with St. Norbert College, and led the nation in goals with 24 during his senior season in 2013-14.

EYE ON THE AHL:

• Tony Cameranesi – Cameranesi skated in four games for the Marlies last week, logging a +2 rating.
• Shane Conacher – Conacher skated in his first AHL games of the season this week, suiting up for the Marlies in three games, including against his older brother Cory when Toronto defeated Syracuse on Wednesday.
• Brett Findlay – Findlay enjoyed an impressive week for the Marlies, picking up four points (3g-1a) in three games, including the overtime-winning tally on Wednesday.
• Mason Marchment – Marchment recorded his first AHL goal of the season on Saturday in Toronto’s 4-3 loss at Hershey.
• Ethan Werek – Werek scored the only goal for the Texas Stars, as Texas fell 4-1 on the road at Stockton on Sunday. The Stars remain outside of a playoff spot in the AHL’s Pacific Division.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:Monday, Feb. 27 – OFF DAYTuesday, Feb. 28 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenWednesday, March 1 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenThursday, March 2 – Gameday skate at ARS.com Rink at Amway CenterFriday, March 3 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenPractice 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. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Thursday, March 2 – 7 p.m. – Thirsty Thursday, presented by Ferg’s Depot on Church Street
• 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.

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.