Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gladiators - Oct. 28, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta GladiatorsVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSBN on MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTIONS:

• Opening Weekend, presented by Coors Light – BOGO tickets for Saturday and Sunday at com/coors.
• 200 FREE tickets will be made available to FAIRWINDS members who show their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card (limit two free tickets per card) and their ID at ticket windows 11 or 12. Once all 200 free tickets have been claimed, FAIRWINDS members can still take advantage of BOGO tickets for that evening’s game.
• Thunder Stick giveaway to first 3,000 fans in attendance

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (2-1-0-0) begin their 2017-18 home schedule with the first match of a two-game set against the Atlanta Gladiators (1-4-0-0). The Solar Bears won the 2016-17 regular season series against Atlanta with a 6-3-0-0 record; Orlando has a lifetime record of 26-17-4-4 against the Gladiators.

HOME OPENERS: Through the first five seasons of ECHL Solar Bears hockey, Orlando is 3-2-0-0 in its first games on home ice. Tonight’s game is the first time that the Solar Bears face the Gladiators in a home opener – previous opponents have been Florida (2012, 2013, 2016) and Greenville (2014 and 2015).

NOVAK TAKES OVER SHOOTING LEAD: Forward Max Novak is leading the Solar Bears with 13 shots on goal. The third-year pro is off to a strong start this season, his first in the ECHL, racking up three assists through his first three games.

MIKULOVICH BRINGING TOUGHNESS: Aleksandr Mikulovich joined the Solar Bears in time for last weekend’s series in Allen, and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound blueliner played with an up-tempo, physical style that saw him dish out several hits against the opposition while using his size to take away chances and block shooting lanes. Mikulovich also briefly scrapped with Americans defenseman Josh Thrower in the second period of last Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win.

STREAKS:

• Chris Crane – 3-game points streak (2g-2a)

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)
• Josh Winquist – needs 3 goals for 50 career professional goals

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (6-2-0-0) lead the AHL’s North Division in points, and are looking to build off of a 4-2 win in Syracuse last night, as they host the Laval Rocket for the first time this afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. The Toronto Maple Leafs take their 7-3-0-0 record into tonight’s meeting with the Phildaelphia Flyers, with a 7 p.m. puck drop from the Air Canada Centre.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears are back in action at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center to continue their weekend series with the Gladiators on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday’s game is a FAIRWINDS Sunday: 200 FREE tickets will be made available to FAIRWINDS members who show their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card (limit two free tickets per card) and their ID at ticket windows 11 or 12. Once all 200 free tickets have been claimed, FAIRWINDS members can still take advantage of BOGO tickets for that evening’s game.

Don’t wait: Fans can still 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.