Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Everblades - April 7, 2017

Solar Bears Game 71 • Home Game 36 • ECHL Game 959

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (35-25-7-3) vs. Florida Everblades (45-20-2-3)VENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Friday, April 7, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on MixlrTICKETS: Click here to purchase tickets.

PROMOTION: Wawa Sunshine Cup Series Game & Fan Appreciation NightDuring the game Wawa will be on hand distributing high-dollar value coupons – 16 oz. hot drink, 12 oz. milkshake and a buy-one-get one club sandwich (nearly $10 value) – to the first 8,000 fans in attendance.

The first 3,000 fans in attendance will also receive a 2016-17 Orlando Solar Bears team picture sponsored by Coors Light. Following the conclusion of the game, the Solar Bears will also hold their Shirts Off the Players Backs Ceremony, with players presenting their jerseys to fans on the ice after the game.

For the second consecutive season, the Solar Bears will host the Spin-to-Win $100,000 Grand Prize Shootout as part of the game’s intermission entertainment. Last season, Solar Bears Season Ticket Member Nick Giovanelli scored on a memorable 115-foot shot to win the $100,000 grand prize. Giovanelli’s shot was featured as the Top Play of the Night on ESPN’s SportsCenter and seen worldwide on television and countless times on social media.

South Division Playoff Picture:1st: Florida Everblades – CLINCHED DIVISION2nd: Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 70 GP, 39-25-5-1 record, 84 points, 37 ROW – CLINCHED PLAYOFF POSITION3rd: South Carolina Stingrays – 70 GP, 38-28-3-1 record, 80 points, 37 ROW4th: Orlando Solar Bears – 70 GP, 35-25-7-3 record, 80 points, 32 ROW5th: Cincinnati Cyclones – 70 GP, 36-29-4-1 record, 77 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)

TONIGHT:The Orlando Solar Bears conclude their 2016-17 regular season home schedule with a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game against the Florida Everblades. A win tonight for the Solar Bears will secure a berth in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs, but Orlando can also clinch a playoff spot under the following additional circumstances:

• The Cincinnati Cyclones lose in regulation to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits
• -OR- Orlando forces overtime -AND- Cincinnati loses

MARCHMENT CAN TIE FRANCHISE MARK WITH GOAL:Rookie forward Mason Marchment has scored at least a goal in each of his last four games since March 28 at Adirondack, and should he record a goal tonight against Florida, he will match a franchise record of five consecutive games with a goal currently shared between Brenden Miller and Ryan Cruthers. Marchment is also in possession of a five-game point streak (6g-3a).

FAILLE CAN ADD TO RECORD TOTALS:With every point he tacks on this season, Eric Faille continues to add to his legacy as the franchise’s all-time points leader and the record-holder for most points in a single season, having already shattered his output of 60 points in 2015-16. He is only two points away from becoming the first Solar Bears player to hit 70 points in a single campaign.

MASSA REMAINS ON CUSP OF SETTING NEW SINGLE-SEASON RECORD:Goaltender Ryan Massa is still in position to take sole possession of the franchise record for wins by a goaltender in a single-season, a mark he currently shares with Garret Sparks’ 2014-15 performance.

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 3-8-1-0Home: 2-4-0-0Away: 1-4-1-02015-16 Overall: 4-10-0-02015-16 Home: 2-6-0-02015-16 Away: 2-4-0-0Last 5 Years: 27-40-3-1Last 5 Years Home: 13-20-1-0Last 5 Years Away: 14-20-2-1

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 68Goals: Perry – 34Assists: Buzzeo – 43+/-: Doherty – +23PIM: Miller – 82SOG: Perry – 210

BEAR TRACKER

• Baier: Two assists from 100 in ECHL career
• Manderson: Four points from 200 in pro career
• Marchment: One goal from tying Solar Bears record for consecutive games with at least a goal (record is four, shared by Ryan Cruthers and Brenden Miller)
• 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

• Marchment: 5-game point streak (6g-3a)

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies can clinch a spot in the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs by earning a point tonight in their road match against the Utica Comets. The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to Tampa Bay on Thursday by a 4-1 score, but still maintain a three-point lead over the Lightning and New York Islanders for the final wild card seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race with only two games remaining – Toronto can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win tomorrow against Pittsburgh.

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.