Game Preview: Solar Bears at Swamp Rabbits - Dec. 1, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Greenville Swamp RabbitsVENUE: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, S.C.DATE: Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (6-9-3-0) take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (11-6-2-0) for the first time since Nov. 19, a thrilling 7-6 comeback win in which Orlando scored four third-period goals. The Solar Bears are 4-1-1-0 in their last six games, while Greenville is coming off a 5-4 shootout win over Florida on Thursday night.

LUCKY NUMBER 7: Forwards Max Novak and Joshua Winquist and defenseman Nolan Valleau are tied for the team scoring lead against Greenville, each with seven points through four games.

SOLAR BEARS CAN FEAST ON SWAMP RABBITS PK: The Solar Bears can benefit tonight from a Swamp Rabbits penalty kill that has struggled on home ice this season. Through nine games at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville has surrendered 16 goals on 49 chances while playing shorthanded, for a league-low penalty kill rate of 67.3%.

BOOTLAND AND ZIMMERMAN EXPECTED TO MAKE SEASON DEBUT: The Solar Bears will receive an injection of experience, grit and leadership into their lineup tonight, as forward Darryl Bootland and defenseman Sean Zimmerman are expected to be activated from injured reserve. Both players underwent offseason surgery after leading the Colorado Eagles to a four-game sweep of South Carolina Stingrays in the Kelly Cup Finals, and the pair have a combined 1,525 games of pro hockey under their belts.

BASARA RELEASED: Orlando also released forward Marcus Basara on Thursday. Basara recorded one assist and 13 penalty minutes in four games with Orlando after being claimed off waivers from Jacksonville.

STREAKS:

• Cal Heeter – 4-game win streak (4-0-0)
• Nolan Valleau – 4-game assist streak (4a)
• Jean Dupuy – 3-game point streak (3g-3a)
• Winquist – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: After falling 3-1 to the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday, the Toronto Marlies (16-5-0-0) look to build a new win streak when they take on the Belleville Senators tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs (17-9-1-0) picked up a 6-4 win at Edmonton last night and face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

NEXT GAME: Orlando continues its road trip on Saturday, Dec. 2, when they face the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum at 7:05 p.m. The Solar Bears return to the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Wednesday, Dec. 20 as they take on the Norfolk Admirals 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.

About the Orlando Solar Bears:The Orlando Solar Bears are in their sixth season of operation in the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America, and are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play 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.