Weekly Report: Week of Nov. 6, 2017

Orlando continues home stretch with two games against Greenville, Sunday clash with Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears wrap up a seven-game stretch on home ice with three games this week, as they face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday and Thursday, and then battle the Florida Everblades on Sunday afternoon at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

Tuesday, Nov. 7 – 7 p.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits

PROMOTIONS:

• Teacher Appreciation Week
• School Supply Drive

Thursday, Nov. 9 – 10:30 a.m.ARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits

PROMOTIONS:

• School Day Game – special 10:30 a.m. start time
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• School Supply Drive

Sunday, Nov. 12 – 1:30 p.m. ETARS.com Rink at Amway Center – Orlando, Fla.Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades

PROMOTIONS:

• The Solar Bears will celebrate Shades’ Birthday
• 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 day’s game.

Orlando2-4-1-0, 5 points6th place, South Division

Greenville5-3-1-0, 11 points2nd place, South Division

Florida8-1-0-0, 16 points1st place, South Division

LAST WEEK: 0-1-1-0

Wednesday, Nov. 1 – Florida 4, Orlando 3 (OT)After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, Orlando got goals from Jeff King and Chris LeBlanc to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Nolan Valleau added another goal in the third period for the Solar Bears, but the Everblades forced overtime and Michael Kirkpatrick won the game for the visitors in the extra period.

Saturday, Nov. 4 – Florida 4, Orlando 2The Solar Bears hosted their first-ever Orlando Magic Night, and received goals from Max Novak and Jean Dupuy in the second period, but Florida’s Gus Young broke a 2-2 tie in the third period and the Everblades added a power-play marker for good measure.

BEAR TRACKS:

Dupuy Turning a CornerEntering Saturday’s game, Jean Dupuy was leading Orlando in shots on goal, but had yet to find the back of the net. The third-year pro finally lit the lamp for his first with the Solar Bears in the second period, and continues to develop chemistry on a line with fellow Toronto Marlies-contracted forward Max Novak and rookie skater Zach Stepan.

Skapski Could Make Solar Bears Debut this WeekAfter joining the roster prior to Saturday’s game, goaltender Mackenzie Skapski could potentially make his first appearance in the purple and teal this week. The goalie could even make his Solar Bears debut against his former team, as Skapski was assigned to Greenville each of his three seasons while within the New York Rangers system.

Defense will be Key Against Swamp RabbitsOrlando faces Greenville tomorrow in what will be the first of nine total regular season meetings in 2017-18. Both teams finished the previous campaign with 15 points in head-to-head competition; the Swamp Rabbits are off to a strong start thanks to a league-leading 4.44 goals scored per game, and forwards Allan McPherson and Adam Chapie holding down the first and second spots in the ECHL in individual scoring.

TEAM LEADERS:Points – Chris Crane (8)Goals – Chris Crane & Kristian Pospisil (3)Assists – Chris Crane & Zach Stepan (5)Shots – Max Novak & Mike Vaskivuo (25)+/- – Nolan Valleau (+4)PIM – Aleksandr Mikulovich (16)

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 2 goals for 50 career goals
• Mike Monfredo – Needs 4 points for 150 career points

EYE ON THE MARLIES:

• Mason Marchment (2016-17) – Named AHL Player of the Week for week ending on Nov. 5 after picking up seven points (1g-6a) in three games, helping Toronto reel off three consecutive victories.
• Garret Sparks (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) – Sparks won both of his starts for the Marlies last week and became Toronto’s franchise leader in shutouts with his 11th career AHL shutout on Wednesday at Laval.

NEXT HOME GAMES:

• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Tuesday, Nov. 7 – 7 p.m. – Teacher Appreciation Week / School Supply Drive
• Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Thursday, Nov. 9 – 10:30 a.m. – School Day Game / Teacher Appreciation Week / School Supply Drive
• Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades – Sunday, Nov. 12 – 1:30 p.m. – Shades’ Birthday / FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday

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.