Game Preview: Solar Bears at Cyclones - Dec. 7, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Cincinnati CyclonesVENUE: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OhioDATE: Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:35 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TODAY: The Solar Bears (9-10-3-0) play their second match in three days against the Cincinnati Cyclones (12-7-1-0), following Tuesday’s 5-2 win, in which Orlando matched its largest margin of victory for the season. The Solar Bears are a lifetime 8-3-0-1 against the Cyclones, and 5-1-0-1 against Cincinnati on the road.

BOOTLAND TO DRESS IN 900TH GAME: When veteran forward Darryl Bootland takes the ice tonight for Orlando, it will be the 900th regular season game of his pro career. The 2000 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings has enjoyed a career that has included stops in the NHL with Detroit and the New York Islanders, and has included three total “AA” championships. The 36-year-old has recorded two points (1g-1a) in three games with Orlando so far this season.

POWER PLAY CRUISING ALONG: Since beginning the season-high 10-game road trip, the Solar Bears have encountered consistent success on the power-play, converting on the man advantage in every single game, and going a combined 5-for-24 over the trip (20.83%). In fact, Orlando has recorded at least one power-play goal over its last eight matches, dating back to Nov. 17 at Greenville, going 16-for-41 (39.02%) in that span.

HEETER LEAPFROGS MASSA AND SPARKS: At 6-0-0 in his last six decisions, goalie Cal Heeter has surpassed Ryan Massa and Garret Sparks for the second-longest win streak by a goaltender in ECHL Solar Bears history. Heeter needs only three more consecutive victories to match Cody Reichard’s franchise record of nine straight wins that ran from Feb. 4-28 during the 2013-14 season. The goalie has also logged the fifth-most minutes among ECHL netminders this season, recording 830 minutes between the pipes.

STREAKS:

• Cal Heeter – 6-game win streak (6-0-0)
• Martins Dzierkals – 4-game point streak (2g-5a)
• Max Novak – 3-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Darryl Bootland – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

• Darryl Bootland – 1 game from 900 career pro games
• Max Novak – 2 points from 50 career pro points (18g-30a)
• Jean Dupuy – 3 points from 50 career pro points (17g-30a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: After a week off, the Toronto Marlies (18-5-0-0) take on the Laval Rocket on the road tomorrow night in the first of two straight games against the affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. The Toronto Maple Leafs (18-10-1-0) are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over Calgary on Wednesday and are back in action Saturday at Pittsburgh.

NEXT GAME: Orlando continues its season-high 10-game road trip when they face the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Wings Event Center. 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.

Festive Four Packs, presented by CenturyLink, are now available for purchase! Pick four games and get gift certificates to Sonny’s BBQ, Dick’s Sporting Goods, QDOBA Mexican Eats and a FREE center ice ticket to the Orlando Solar Bears Teddy Bear Toss game on Saturday, December 23! Packs start as low as $64! 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.