Weekly Report: Week of Oct. 23, 2017

Orlando returns home for Opening Weekend against Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears split a pair of weekend games against the Allen Americans this past Saturday and Sunday, and now return to the City Beautiful for their Opening Weekend games against the Atlanta Gladiators this upcoming weekend at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. At 2-1-0-0 (3 GP, 4 points), the Solar Bears sit in third place in the ECHL’s South Division, tied in points with South Carolina (2-0-0-0) and Norfolk (2-3-0-0).

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

Saturday, Oct. 28 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators

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
• Purple jersey

Sunday, Oct. 29 – 1:30 p.m. ETARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Atlanta Gladiators

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.
• Epilepsy Awareness Night
• Purple jersey

Orlando2-1-0-0, 4 points3rd place, South Division

Atlanta0-4-0-0, 0 points7th place, South Division

LAST WEEK: 1-1-0-0

Saturday, Oct. 21 – Allen 6, Orlando 2Orlando took on the Allen Americans in the first of a two-game set. Following a scoreless first period, the Americans buried two goals in a three-minute span to take a lead that they never relinquished. Orlando got goals from Kristian Pospisil and Aleksandr Mikulovich, but the Solar Bears fell in their first meeting with Allen.

Sunday, Oct. 22 – Orlando 4, Allen 3 (OT)The Solar Bears bounced back on Sunday afternoon, as Matias Cleland netted his first of the season midway through the first period, and Chris Crane tallied his first two goals of the season. Josh Winquist provided the game-winning tally in overtime for Orlando, while Kasimir Kaskisou turned in a 35-save performance.

BEAR TRACKS:

Cardiac KidsThrough their first three games, two of Orlando’s games have gone to overtime, with the Solar Bears prevailing in both. This not only is the largest number of overtime games played by Orlando through the first three games of any ECHL season, but the two wins has already surpassed the Solar Bears’ overtime wins from last season (Orlando earned its only overtime victory of 2016-17 on Nov. 4, 2016 in a 3-2 win at Greenville).

Penalty Shot Record in SightOrlando has also faced two penalty shot attempts in the early stages of the season; this is one away from the club mark of three established during the 2013-14 campaign.

Solar Bears Gear up for Battle with GladiatorsSolar Bears fans might recognize a few familiar faces playing for the opposition this weekend: forwards Alex Gacek and Chase Witala, along with defensemen Ben Danford and Taylor Doherty (on loan from the AHL’s Providence Bruins) all suited up for Orlando last season. Despite their presence, along with the addition of two-time Kelly Cup-winning coach Chuck Weber behind the bench, Atlanta has struggled out of the gate, going winless through its first four games and averaging a league-low 1.75 goals scored per game.

Youth is ServedSix of Orlando’s 11 goals scored this season have come from the sticks of rookies. The Solar Bears’ goal output has been paced by Kristian Pospisil, who leads the team with three goals. The forward left Sunday’s game in the first period after a collision with Allen defenseman David Makowski, but rookie defenseman Matias Cleland helped Orlando’s rookie crop with his first of the season.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

• Joe Perry – Needs 1 goal to take sole possession of third place on Solar Bears career goal list (tied with Jacob Cepis and Brady Vail with 35)
• Josh Winquist – Needs 3 goals for 50 career goals
• Mike Monfredo – Needs 6 points for 150 career points

EYE ON THE MARLIES:

• Mason Marchment (2016-17) – Scored two goals including the game-winner on Saturday in Toronto’s 4-0 win over Charlotte.
• Garret Sparks (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) – Made 24 saves for the shutout in Saturday’s victory over the Checkers.

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

Fans can purchase BOGO tickets for both Opening Weekend games on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, presented by Coors Light, by visiting orlandosolarbearshockey.com/coors.

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.