Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - March 18, 2017

Solar Bears Game 62 • Away Game 28 • ECHL Game 847

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (30-22-6-3) at Florida Everblades (41-15-2-3)VENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Saturday, March 18, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on Mixlr

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears resume their Wawa Sunshine Cup Series against the Florida Everblades. Orlando is still seeking its first road win against Florida after the Everblades prevailed in a tight 3-2 decision on Friday.

WATLING SET TO PLAY IN 100TH SOLAR BEARS GAME:Patrick Watling’s next game for Orlando will be the forward’s 100th game with the franchise. His third period goal on Friday also gave him his 88th point in his Solar Bears career (30g-58a) moving him past Brady Vail for exclusive possession of sixth on the team’s all-time scoring list.

BUZZEO COULD HELP TURN TIDE AGAINST EVERBLADES:Forward Justin Buzzeo had several solid looks against Florida on Friday, finishing the night with three shots on goal, but the recently-acquired skater was producing at nearly a point-per-game clip (4g-7a in 12 games) against the Everblades while he played for Atlanta.

CONTAINING O’DONNELL WILL BE KEY:Brendan O’Donnell has been a consistent offensive weapon for the Everblades this season – his 36 goals lead the league and three of his seven goals against Orlando this season have been game-winners.

BLOCK INCREASING PRODUCTION:Over his past four games, Austin Block has ramped up his offensive game, as he has recorded five points (2g-3a) in that span along with 10 shots and a +4 rating.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 2-7-1-0Home: 2-3-0-0Away: 0-4-1-02015-16 Overall: 4-10-0-02015-16 Home: 2-6-0-02015-16 Away: 2-4-0-0Last 5 Years: 26-39-3-1Last 5 Years Home: 13-19-1-0Last 5 Years Away: 13-20-2-1

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Buzzeo – 56Goals: Perry – 30Assists: Buzzeo – 39+/-: Danford – +20PIM: Miller – 74SOG: Perry – 179

BEAR TRACKER

• Faille: Three assists from 100 in ECHL career
• Manderson: One assist from tying Jacob Cepis (77) for franchise mark
• Watling: Next game is 100th with Orlando

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies are back in action against Binghamton at 1:30 p.m. after Kasimir Kaskisuo made 28 saves in Toronto’s 4-2 win over the Senators last night. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks at 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.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Wednesday, April 5 – 7 p.m – Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Friday, April 7 – 7 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Night / Team Picture Giveaway Sponsored by Coors Light / Shirts Off Players Back Ceremony / Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game / Shot for $100,000

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.