ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears conclude a 10-game stretch on home ice at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center this week when they host the Utah Grizzlies in a rare inter-conference meeting. The Solar Bears previously battled the Grizzlies in early January of the 2013-14 campaign, with Orlando winning two of three games against Utah. The matchup is also a rematch of the 1996 Turner Cup Finals, when Orlando and Utah were both members of the International Hockey League.
THIS WEEK:
Friday, March 10 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Utah GrizzliesPromotion: Star Wars Night
Sunday, March 12 – 1:30 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Utah GrizzliesPromotion: FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday
Orlando29-20-6-3, 67 points3rd place, South Division
Utah Grizzlies27-24-5-2, 61 points6th place, Mountain Division
LAST WEEK: 1-1-0-0
Thursday, March 2 – Greenville 7, Orlando 5After falling behind 4-1 in the first period, the Solar Bears stormed back in the second to even the score at 4-4. A Greenville goal pulled the Swamp Rabbits ahead with only seconds remaining in the frame, and Eric Faille provided a goal in the third period to tie the score with his fourth point of the contest, but the Swamp Rabbits pulled ahead and then sealed the game with an empty-net tally.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Orlando 5, Greenville 3Eric Baier returned to the lineup for the Solar Bears after missing several games since mid-February, and the captain opened the scoring midway through the first period, and would chip in two assists to become the first Solar Bears defenseman in team history to reach 100 in his career with the club. Eric Faille enjoyed another solid performance as he chipped in two goals and an assist, as the Solar Bears completed their regular seasons series against Greenville.
BEAR TRACKS:
Perry Continues Climb Up ECHL Goal LadderWith nine goals in his last 15 games, Joe Perry has thrust himself back into the conversation for the ECHL goal scoring title. Each time he finds the back of the net he continues to set a new standard for the most goals by a Solar Bears player in a single season, as he became the first player in franchise history to reach the 30-goal plateau on Saturday. With 30 in 57 games, the native of Nanaimo, British Columbia sits only four goals behind Brampton’s David Pacan for first in the league.
Faille Maintaining High ProductionAfter passing Jacob Cepis for first all-time in ECHL Solar Bears history with his 113th point on Saturday, Eric Faille carries a six-game point streak into this week, in which he has racked up 13 points (5g-8a) over that span. The playmaking forward also has a 10-game point streak on home ice, in which he has put up 18 points at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center dating back to Dec. 22.
Shoot to ThrillThe Solar Bears still maintain their spot atop the ECHL with a league-leading 2,194 shots for on the season, averaging 37.83 shots for per game. With 14 games left in the regular season for Orlando, the team is on pace to smash its previous best of 2,369 set during the 2014-15 campaign. Since the ECHL adopted a 72-game regular season schedule in 2000-01, the Gwinnett Gladiators hold the record for most shots on goal by a team in a season with an eye-popping 2,836 (39.39 shots for per game) set during the 2004-05 season.
EYE ON THE AHL:
- Tony Cameranesi – Cameranesi broke a 21-game goal-less drought when he buried the eventual game-winning tally for Toronto in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the St. John’s IceCaps.
- Brett Findlay – Findlay picked up an assist in Toronto’s 3-1 victory over the St. John’s IceCaps on Saturday.
- Mason Marchment – Marchment did not dress in any of last week’s games for the Marlies.
- Ethan Werek – Werek recorded a goal and assist in four games for the Texas Stars last week, and netted the shootout-winning tally in Texas’ 2-1 win at San Jose on Wednesday.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:Monday, March 6 – OFF DAYTuesday, March 7 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenWednesday, March 8 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenThursday, March 9 – 10-11 a.m. – RDV Sportsplex Ice DenFriday, March 10 – 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. 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
- Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Wednesday, April 5 – 7 p.m. – Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game
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.