Weekly Report: Week of Oct. 16, 2017

Orlando travels to Texas for pair of games against Allen Americans

ORLANDO, Fla. – After opening the regular season on Saturday with a thrilling 5-4 win at Jacksonville, the Orlando Solar Bears travel to Texas this week for a two-game set against the Allen Americans. The series against Allen features Orlando’s only regular season games against a Mountain Division opponent. At 1-0-0-0 (1 GP, 2 points), the Solar Bears sit in second place in the ECHL’s South Division entering this week.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

Saturday, Oct. 21 – 8:05 p.m. ETAllen Event Center – Allen, TexasOrlando Solar Bears at Allen Americans

Sunday, Oct. 22 – 5:05 p.m. ETAllen Event Center – Allen, TexasOrlando Solar Bears at Allen Americans

Orlando1-0-0-0, 2 points2nd place, South Division

Allen2-0-0-0, 4 points1st place, Mountain Division

LAST WEEK: 1-0-0-0

Saturday, Oct. 14 – Orlando 5, Jacksonville 4 OTOrlando squared off against new South Division rival Jacksonville for the first time, as hundreds of Solar Bears fans made the trip up I-95 to witness the first game of the season in enemy territory. Although the Icemen struck first, the Solar Bears re-took the lead before the end of the first period thanks to rookie Kristian Pospisil’s two goals. Chris LeBlanc and Mike Vaskivuo also netted their first goals of the season in regulation for Orlando, but the Icemen tied the game in the third period after Matt Hackett came on in relief for Cal Heeter. Hackett was brilliant in overtime, foiling an Emerson Clark breakaway and earning an assist as J.J. Piccinich netted the game-winning tally to give the Solar Bears the win.

BEAR TRACKS:

Texas HomecomingTwo players for Orlando have ties to the Americans organization: Chris Crane will make his return to the Allen Event Center for the first time since he was acquired by Orlando from the Americans last November; Crane was a member of Allen’s back-to-back Kelly Cup wins in 2015 and 2016. Injured veteran forward Darryl Bootland also won two CHL Ray Miron President’s Cups with Allen in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Solar Bears associate head coach John Snowden’s final year in his playing career included a stint with Allen in 2013-14.

We Meet AgainThe Solar Bears and Americans met for the first time in January with a two-game set in Orlando. Each team earned three of a possible for points, with the Solar Bears picking up a 4-3 shootout victory on Jan. 26, while the Americans picked up a 5-4 OT win on Jan. 29.

Take Your ShotThe Solar Bears led the ECHL last season with 37.03 shots for per game; Orlando seemed to have picked up right where it left off, as the club recorded 46 shots on Saturday. As of Monday, that puts the Solar Bears tied for second in the league in average shots per game this season.

Pospisil Providing Goals and ToughnessKristian Pospisil’s two-goal performance has the young forward tied for the rookie goal-scoring lead, and he is also tied for first in penalty minutes by a rookie with seven.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

• Chris Crane – Two goals from 50 career ECHL goals
• Josh Winquist – Four goals from 50 career professional goals

EYE ON THE MARLIES:

• Mason Marchment (2016-17) – Scored first of the season – and the game-winner for Toronto – in the Marlies’ 2-1 win over Springfield on Sunday.
• Kasimir Kaskisuo (2016-17) – Made 26 saves in Sunday’s victory, his first appearance of the season.
• Garret Sparks (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) – Owns a 2-1-0 record on the season, but gave up three goals in Toronto’s 5-2 loss at Hartford on Friday.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 7 p.m. – Opening Weekend / Thunder Stick Giveaway
• Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators – Sunday, Oct. 29 – 1:30 p.m. – Opening Weekend / Epilepsy Awareness / FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday /

Fans can purchase BOGO tickets for both Opening Weekend games, presented by Coors Light, by visiting orlandosolarbearshockey.com/coors.

• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Wednesday, Nov. 1 – 7 p.m.

The Orlando Solar Bears drop the puck on their 2017-18 home schedule on Saturday, Oct. 28 against the Atlanta Gladiators at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. 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.