Game Preview: Solar Bears at Gladiators - Dec. 3, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Atlanta GladiatorsVENUE: Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth, Ga.DATE: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:05 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TODAY: The Solar Bears (8-9-3-0) wrap up a three-in-three stretch this afternoon against the Atlanta Gladiators (10-8-1-1) after moving to within one game of a .500 record following last night’s 4-2 win over the South Carolina Stingrays. Atlanta is coming off consecutive home losses to the Florida Everblades on Friday and Saturday.

GOALS GALORE FOR DZIERKALS: Although he did not play his first game until Nov. 16 at Atlanta, rookie forward Martins Dzierkals has provided a major injection of offense to the lineup. The Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick has six goals over his last seven games and has already tallied two game-winners for Orlando.

POSPISIL CONTINUES TO SNIPE: Kristian Pospisil’s fourth goal of the season last night pushed his shooting percentage to 30.8% – that mark leads all rookies and is third overall among skaters.

NOVAK TAKES OVER ORLANDO GOAL-SCORING LEAD: Max Novak’s empty-net goal late in regulation on Saturday was his team-leading seventh goal of the season; that output already matches his career pro high set last year in the American Hockey League with the Albany Devils.

STREAKS:

• Cal Heeter – 5-game win streak (5-0-0)
• Jean Dupuy – 5-game point streak (3g-5a)
• Martins Dzierkals – 2-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Kristian Pospisil – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (18-5-0-0) rallied late, scoring twice in the final six minutes of the third and adding the overtime winner, to complete the comeback and steal two points away from the Hartford Wolf Pack last night. The Toronto Maple Leafs (17-10-1-0) fell to Vancouver by a 2-1 score last night and are back in action Wednesday night against Calgary.

NEXT GAME: Orlando travels north for the first of two games against the Cincinnati Cyclones on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:35 p.m. at U.S. Bank Arena. 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.