Game Preview: Solar Bears at Americans - Oct. 21, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Allen AmericansVENUE: Allen Event Center, Allen, TexasDATE: Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:05 p.m. ETWATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSBN on Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (1-0-0-0) visit the Lone Star State for the first time as they take on the 2015 and 2016 Kelly Cup champions, the Allen Americans (2-0-0-0). The two teams faced each other in a two-game set in Orlando in 2016-17: each team earned a win, along with three of a possible four points.

OFFENSIVE POWERHOUSES: Both Orlando and Allen are among the league leaders in generating offense in the early stages of the season. Orlando scored five in its lone game of the season last Saturday while mustering an eye-popping 46 shots on goal; the Americans, meanwhile, have averaged 6.50 goals per game to lead the ECHL.

HOMECOMING FOR CRANE:Chris Crane will have a chance to play his first game at the Allen Event Center this weekend since the November, 2016 trade that brought him to Orlando. The Solar Bears forward was a member of the Americans’ Kelly Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2016, and has been one of the more successful acquisitions by Orlando in recent seasons, leading the Solar Bears in assists and finishing second on the team in points during the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE: Both Orlando and Allen started their seasons on the road, and due to such a limited sample size of games, both teams have identical power play and penalty kill percentages: the Solar Bears and Americans are both 0-for-6 with the man advantage, while they have killed off 8-of-9 chances awarded to opposing teams.

MILESTONE TRACKER:Joe Perry – needs 1 goal for sole possession of third place in franchise history (tied with Jacob Cepis and Brady Vail with 35)Chris Crane – needs 2 goals for 50 career ECHL goalsJosh Winquist – needs 4 goals for 50 career professional goals

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (4-1-0-0) look to continue their strong start to the season this afternoon as they host the Charlotte Checkers at 4 p.m. The Maple Leafs (6-1-0-0) are coming off a 6-3 home win over Detroit on Wednesday, and visit the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7 p.m.

NEXT GAME: Orlando concludes their regular season series against Allen on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 5:05 p.m. ET.

The Solar Bears return to the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center to open their home schedule on Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. the Atlanta Gladiators at 7 p.m.

Fans can purchase BOGO tickets for Opening Weekend, presented by Coors Light, and get tickets for both Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29 vs. Atlanta. Fans can take advantage of this special offer by visiting orlandosolarbearshockey.com/coors. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.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.

Full Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017-18 season are on sale now. Purchase an Orlando Solar Bears Full Season Ticket Membership for as little as $440 today! Click here or call (407) 951-8200 for more information.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.