Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - Dec. 30, 2017

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Florida EverbladesVENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (13-14-4-1) take on the Florida Everblades (21-5-1-2) as the team concludes a home-and-home series. Orlando currently sits at 1-2-1-0 in head-to-head competition in the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series; tonight’s game marks the first of five road matches for Orlando this season against Florida at Germain Arena.

WINQUIST CONTINUES TO PRODUCE AGAINST EVERBLADES: Thanks to his five-point outing on Friday, Joshua Winquist continues to push the offensive pace against the Everblades. The forward now has nine points (4g-5a) through four games against Florida.

WINNING THE SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE: Through four games against Florida, Orlando has gone 5-for-18 on the man advantage, converting at a 27.8% clip. On the defensive side, the Solar Bears have only surrendered four power-play goals to the opposition, killing penalties at an 80% rate.

SOLAR BEARS LIKELY TO FACE OUELLETTE IN GOAL: After Callum Booth got the start for Florida on Friday, the Everblades will likely turn to Martin Ouellette in goal tonight – Florida has consistently rotated between the two netminders, with Ouellette coming off of an 18-save shutout performance over Atlanta on Wednesday.

STREAKS:

• Max Novak – 3-game point streak (1g-3a)
• Joshua Winquist – 2-game point streak (4g-1a)
• Todd Skirving – 2-game goal streak (2g)
• Sam Jardine – 2-game assist streak (2a)
• Mackenzie Skapski – 2-game win streak (2-0-0)

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (22-11-0-0) lost a close 2-0 battle with the Rochester Americans last night, with Garret Sparks making 30 saves. The Marlies return to action tomorrow against Belleville. The Toronto Maple Leafs (23-14-2-0) picked up a point in last night’s 4-3 overtime loss at Colorado, and face the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow afternoon.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears battle the Florida Everblades in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series match on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 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.