Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Everblades - Dec. 29, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida EverbladesVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Friday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTIONS:

• Coors Light Countdown to New Year’s – take advantage of BOGO tickets for tonight and Friday’s game by visiting orlandosolarbearshockey.com/coors as we prepare to ring in 2018!
• Wawa Sunshine Cup Series – This season, the Orlando Solar Bears are proud to continue the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series with their in-state rivals, the Florida Everblades. The Solar Bears will look to claim the trophy from the Everblades by earning the most standings points in head-to-head competition during the 2017-18 regular season. During all Wawa Sunshine Cup Series games held at the Amway Center, fans will receive valuable coupons from our friends at Wawa – get yours tonight while exiting the building!

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (12-14-4-1) take on the Florida Everblades (21-4-1-2). Orlando currently sits at 0-2-1-0 in head-to-head competition in the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series; this is the first battle between the Solar Bears and Everblades since Nov. 12. Tonight’s game begins a run of three consecutive matches against Florida, with the next two taking place on Saturday and next Wednesday at Germain Arena.

WINQUIST LEADING WAY AGAINST EVERBLADES: Through three games against Florida, the Solar Bears have been paced by leading scorer Joshua Winquist, who has managed four points (1g-3a) against the Everblades.

SKAPSKI TO SEE EVERBLADES FOR FIRST TIME: With Cal Heeter receiving a recall to the Toronto Marlies earlier today, the Solar Bears will turn to Mackenzie Skapski once again in goal. For Skapski, tonight’s game is his first of the season against Florida; his career numbers against the Everblades while with Greenville include a 4-4-0 record along with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

RANKIN SET TO REACH CENTURY MARK: After earning Second Star honors in Wednesday’s win over Jacksonville, Kyle Rankin prepares to play in his 100th career game tonight. The second-year forward signed with Orlando this past summer, and while his offensive numbers are not on pace with his rookie performance with Elmira in 2016-17, the Kanata, Ontario native has been noted for his strong defensive play and proven ability to win face-offs.

STREAKS:

• Joe Perry – 2-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Max Novak – 2-game assist streak (3a)
• Chris LeBlanc – 2-game point streak (2g-1a)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

• Kyle Rankin – needs 1 game for 100 career pro games
• Sean Zimmerman – needs 2 penalty minutes for 1,000 career penalty minutes

AFFILIATE NOTES: The two top teams in the AHL’s North Division battle at Ricoh Coliseum tonight when the Toronto Marlies (22-10-0-0) face the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m. After picking up a thrilling 7-4 win at Arizona on Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs (23-14-1-0) journey to Denver, where they will face the Colorado Avalanche tonight at 9 p.m.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears battle the Florida Everblades in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series match on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at Germain Arena. Orlando is back at home on Sunday, Jan. 7 when they host the Jacksonville Icemen at 1:30 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.

Fighting 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 our Hockey Fights Cancer Night game, presented by XYMOPRINT on Saturday, Feb. 17! 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.