Game Preview: Solar Bears at Admirals - Dec. 16, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Norfolk AdmiralsVENUE: Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Va.DATE: Saturday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TODAY: The Solar Bears (10-12-4-0) play the final match of their season-high 10-game road trip against the Norfolk Admirals (8-16-1-0).

NOVAK HITS 50 CAREER POINTS: Max Novak’s goal and assist in Friday’s game against Norfolk gave the third-year forward 50 career points (19g-31a). After spending the previous two seasons in the American Hockey League, Novak has already exceeded his previous career single-season marks in goals, assists and points this season.

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: So far this season, a major factor in determining victory for the Solar Bears has been if the team is capable of scoring three or more goals – the team is 9-3-3-0 when reaching that benchmark in games this season. Orlando only netted two goals in last night’s defeat to Norfolk – the Solar Bears are 1-9-1-0 when recording two or fewer goals.

LIMITING SHOTS: One takeaway from Friday night’s loss was that the Solar Bears did an effective job of cutting down the number of shots allowed to the Admirals in the third period. Although Norfolk was playing with a two-goal lead for much of the frame, the Admirals only managed five shots in total, two of which were on an empty net – this was a season-low for Norfolk.

STREAKS:

• Nolan Valleau – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

• Joe Perry – needs 2 goals to tie Brett Findlay for second place in franchise history

AFFILIATE NOTES: Jean Dupuy made his debut with the Toronto Marlies (21-5-0-0) last night as the AHL club skated to a 3-2 win over Rochester; Toronto is back in action this afternoon at home against the Manitoba Moose. The Toronto Maple Leafs (20-12-1-0) fell 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings last night and are back in action on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

NEXT GAME: 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 and include $68 in FREE gifts! 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.