Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - April 8, 2017

Solar Bears Game 72 • Away Game 36 • ECHL Game 972

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears (36-25-7-3) at Florida Everblades (45-21-2-3)VENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: Listen on Mixlr

South Division Playoff Picture:1st: Florida Everblades – CLINCHED DIVISION2nd: Greenville Swamp Rabbits – CLINCHED SECOND PLACE3rd: South Carolina Stingrays – 71 GP, 39-28-3-1 record, 82 points, 38 ROW – CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT4th: Orlando Solar Bears – 71 GP, 36-25-7-3 record, 82 points, 33 ROW – CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT5th: Cincinnati Cyclones – ELIMINATED6th: 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 schedule with their third consecutive Wawa Sunshine Cup Series match against the Florida Everblades. The outcome of tonight’s game, along with the Cincinnati Cyclones at South Carolina Stingrays game, will determine the final standings within the South Division and Orlando’s opponent in the first round of the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Orlando must earn more points tonight than South Carolina in order to secure third place in the division, as the Stingrays hold the tiebreaker of regulation and overtime wins.

Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven South Division Semifinals will take place on the road, and the Solar Bears will host home games at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on these dates:

• Game 3 – Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
• Game 4 – Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
• Game 5 (if necessary) – Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m.

The team has announced that tickets for the South Division Semifinals will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 11.

FAILLE REACHES 70-POINT PLATEAU:Eric Faille’s two-point effort on Friday gave him 70 points on the season – becoming the first player in Solar Bears history to hit 70 points in a single season. With 27 goals and 43 assists in just 56 games, Faille finds himself tied for 16th in the league’s Top 20 scorers. Of all the players in the Top 20, Faille’s output of 1.25 points per game is behind only the Allen Americans’ high-scoring duo of Chad Costello (1.70) and Greger Hanson (1.32) and Florida’s Brendan O’Donnell (1.30).

DOHERTY MAKES HUGE IMPACT:Taylor Doherty’s first game-winning goal of the season for the Solar Bear came when it mattered most, helping Orlando clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third time in franchise history. His performance on Friday also included two assists, helping Doherty set a new season-high.

POWER PLAY PICKING UP PACE AGAINST FLORIDA:After encountering initial struggles on the man advantage against the Everblades this season, the Solar Bears power play has come alive in its last five outings against Florida, going 6-for-25 (24%).

HEAD TO HEADOverall: 4-8-1-0Home: 3-4-0-0Away: 1-4-1-02015-16 Overall: 4-10-0-02015-16 Home: 2-6-0-02015-16 Away: 2-4-0-0Last 5 Years: 28-40-3-1Last 5 Years Home: 14-20-1-0Last 5 Years Away: 14-20-2-1

ACTIVE LEADERSPoints: Faille – 70Goals: Perry – 35Assists: Buzzeo & Faille – 44+/-: Doherty – +21PIM: Miller – 94SOG: Perry – 211

BEAR TRACKER

• Manderson: Four points from 200 in pro career

AFFILIATE NOTES:The Toronto Marlies clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs last night despite falling 3-1 to Utica, thanks to St. John’s 4-3 loss to the Albany Devils. Toronto is back in action this afternoon as they host the Hershey Bears at 5 p.m. The Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch a playoff spot of their own with a win tonight at home against Pittsburgh 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.