Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Swamp Rabbits - March 2, 2017

Solar Bears Game 57 • Home Game 31 • ECHL Game 760

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (28-19-6-3) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (31-20-4-1)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Click herePROMOTION: Thirsty Thursday – Fans can enjoy $5 Coors Light drafts and other domestic draft beers throughout the Amway Center during the game. 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 Thirsty Thursday game tickets for as low as $14 at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/fergs.

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears begin the final stages of their 2016-17 regular season series with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits with the first of a pair of games this week in Orlando. The Solar Bears remain unbeaten in regulation on home ice this season with a 3-0-1-1 record (.800 win percentage) against the Swamp Rabbits.

MILLER PACES SOLAR BEARS AGAINST GREENVILLE:Defenseman Brenden Miller leads Orlando against Greenville this season in points (9), assists (7) and penalty minutes (38). The second-year blueliner posted two assists in each of Orlando’s last two home wins against the Swamp Rabbits in early February.

KASKISUO GIVEN CHANCE TO SHINE:With Ryan Massa place on reserve earlier today, Kasimir Kaskisuo will get the start in goal tonight for Orlando. In five appearances against Greenville this season, the netminder has posted solid numbers, sporting a 3-1-1 record along with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage against the Swamp Rabbits.

HEAD-TO-HEAD SPECIAL TEAMS NEARLY IDENTICAL:Through 11 games of head-to-head competition, the Solar Bears and Swamp Rabbits have both earned 51 chances on the man advantage, and both teams are operating at similar rates. The Solar Bears have converted on 10-of-51 chances, while the Swamp Rabbits have managed to post 11 power-play goals on 51 opportunities in the series. Orlando has the edge in shorthanded goals, as the Solar Bears have scored twice against Greenville this season when playing down a man, while Swamp Rabbits PK unit has failed to do so.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 5-3-2-1Home: 3-0-1-1Away: 2-3-1-02015-16 Overall: 5-4-0-02015-16 Home: 3-1-0-02015-16 Away: 2-3-0-0Last 5 Years: 24-16-2-4Last 5 Years Home: 16-4-1-4Last 5 Years Away: 8-12-1-0

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 46Goals: Perry – 28Assists: Manderson – 31+/-: Danford – +17PIM: Miller – 66SOG: Perry – 165

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two points from 100 career Solar Bears points (32g-66a)
• Massa: 26 saves for 2,000 in his Solar Bears career

STREAKS

• Faille: 4-game point streak (2g-6a)
• Massa: 2-game win streak (2-0-0)

AFFILIATE NOTES:Following a 4-3 loss at Hershey at Saturday, the Toronto Marlies battle the Brideport Sound Tigers at Ricoh Coliseum with an 11 a.m. puck drop. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Los Angeles tonight to face the Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET as they look to maintain their hold on a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

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 – Saturday, March 4 - 7 p.m. – Noche Latina presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. and Solar Bears thunder stick giveaway to first 3,000 fans in attendance
• Solar Bears vs. Utah Grizzlies – Friday, March 10 – 7 p.m. – Star Wars Night
• Solar Bears vs. Utah Grizzlies – Sunday, March 12 – 1:30 p.m. – FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday

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.