Game Preview: Solar Bears at Stingrays - April 2, 2017

Solar Bears Game 69 • Away Game 35 • ECHL Game 929

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (35-24-6-3) at South Carolina Stingrays (36-28-3-1)VENUE: North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C.DATE: Sunday, April 2, 3:05 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on Mixlr

South Division Playoff Picture:1st: Florida Everblades – CLINCHED DIVISION2nd: Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 69 GP, 39-25-4-1 record, 83 points, 37 ROW – CLINCHED PLAYOFF POSITION3rd: Orlando Solar Bears – 68 GP, 35-24-6-3 record, 79 points, 32 ROW4th: South Carolina Stingrays – 68 GP, 36-28-3-1 record, 76 points, 35 ROW5th: Cincinnati Cyclones – 69 GP, 36-29-4-0 record, 76 points, 32 ROW6th: Atlanta Gladiators – ELIMINATED7th: Norfolk Admirals – ELIMINATED

**Top four teams in each division qualify for the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. First tie-breaker after points is ROW (Regulation + Overtime Wins)

TODAY:The Orlando Solar Bears conclude their 2016-17 regular season series with the South Carolina Stingrays. A win today for Orlando and a regulation loss by the Cincinnati Cyclones in their game against the Indy Fuel means the Solar Bears can clinch a spot in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Orlando pulled ahead in the season series with its 4-3 win over South Carolina on Friday. The team also moved to over .500 on North Charleston Coliseum ice over the last five seasons, improving to 10-9-1-1.

JUTZI CONTINUES STRONG PLAY AGAINST STINGRAYS:Although he’s only played four games this season against South Carolina, rookie defenseman Jon Jutzi has recorded one goal and four assists against the Stingrays – including two assists on Friday night – accounting for nearly 40% of his total offensive output this season.

CRANE FINDING OFFENSIVE GAME:After sitting out Orlando’s 3-2 shootout win over Brampton last week, Chris Crane has been on fire since returning to the lineup. The forward enjoyed his second multi-point effort in his last three games on Friday, and has put up a goal and four assists over that span along with a robust +6 rating.

SOLAR BEARS KEY IN ON GAUL:Although he leads the Stingrays against Orlando with six assists, the Solar Bears defensive efforts kept shifty forward Patrick Gaul off the scoresheet on Friday.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 4-3-0-0Home: 2-2-0-0Away: 2-1-0-02015-16 Overall: 2-5-0-12015-16 Home: 0-4-0-02015-16 Away: 2-1-0-1Last 5 Years: 17-22-3-2Last 5 Years Home: 7-13-2-1Last 5 Years Away: 10-9-1-1

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 68Goals: Perry – 34Assists: Buzzeo – 43+/-: Doherty – +21PIM: Miller – 82SOG: Perry – 204

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two assists from 100 in ECHL career
• Manderson: Four points from 200 in pro career
• Massa: One win from setting new Solar Bears record for most wins in a single-season (tied with Garret Sparks at 21)
• Perry: Two assists from 50 in pro career

STREAKS

• Cameranesi: 4-game point streak (2g-3a)
• Crane: 3-game point streak (1g-4a)
• Faille: 5-game point streak (5g-4a)
• Jutzi: 2-game assist streak (3a)
• Marchment: 3-game point streak (3g-3a)
• Witala: 2-game assist streak (2a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:Both of Orlando’s affiliates are idle today: The Toronto Marlies came away with a 3-2 shootout win over Syracuse last night, in which Brett Findlay picked up an assist and Kasimir Kaskisuo made 30 saves to remain undefeated in four games since being recalled to the AHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs moved into a tie for second place in the Atlantic Division following their 5-4 win at Detroit on Saturday.

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.