Game Preview: Solar Bears at Gladiators - Nov. 16, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Atlanta GladiatorsVENUE: Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth, Ga.DATE: Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:05 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSBN on Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (2-6-2-0) take on the Atlanta Gladiators (7-5-0-1) to begin a three-game road trip. The Gladiators are coming off a Wednesday loss to Greenville, which Orlando faces on Friday and Sunday.

ROAD COOKING: Through three games on the road this season, the Solar Bears have earned four of a possible six points, giving the team the third-highest road win percentage (.667) of any team in the league. Last season, Orlando went 4-0-0-0 on the road against Atlanta.

ORLANDO POWER PLAY READY TO STRIKE: The Solar Bears got their first power-play goals of the season against Atlanta on Oct. 28, and the team could be primed for a solid outing on the man advantage – the Gladiators are second-last in the Eastern Conference with a home penalty kill rate of 68.8 percent.

SHUTTING DOWN LANE KEY: Atlanta’s Phil Lane is tied for the Eastern Conference lead with 10 goals, with five goals coming in his previous four games. The sixth-year pro is also riding a 10-game point streak (9g-6a), so containing Lane will be essential for Orlando.

OPENING 20: Establishing a lead by the end of the game’s first period has been critical so far this season for the Solar Bears – the team has held a lead after the first period four times this season, and in each of those games Orlando has earned at least a point.

DZIERKALS COULD MAKE DEBUT: The Solar Bears announced yesterday that rookie forward Martins Dzierkals was assigned to the club by the Toronto Marlies. The 20-year-old’s production level was over a point per game in the QMJHL, and could make his pro debut as early as tonight.

STREAKS:

• Nolan Valleau – 3-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Joshua Winquist – 3-game point streak (1g-4a)
• Todd Skirving – 2-game goal streak (3g)

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)
• Mike Monfredo – needs 3 points for 150 career pro points
• Joshua Winquist – needs 1 goals for 50 career pro goals

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (11-4-0-0) are off tonight but take on the Syracuse Crunch in back-to-back games at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday and Sunday. The Toronto Maple Leafs (12-7-0-0) have been idle since last Sunday and return to action tonight at home against the New Jersey Devils.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears now travel to Greenville for a two-game stretch against the Swamp Rabbits, with the first match at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The Solar Bears are back at home to host the Jacksonville Icemen for the first time at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. 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.