Game Preview: Solar Bears at Icemen - Jan. 6, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Jacksonville IcemenVENUE: Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (14-16-4-1) play the second match of their three-in-three set against the Jacksonville Icemen (9-17-3-2). The Solar Bears own a 4-1-1-0 record against the Icemen this season. Orlando will look to maintain its playoff positioning tonight after regaining the fourth seed in the South Division. A victory in regulation tonight ensures Orlando wins the nine-game regular season series against Jacksonville.

FEJES BUSTS OUT: In only his second game since joining the Solar Bears, Hunter Fejes netted a hat trick and the game-winner in Friday night’s victory. The second-year pro is currently leading all active skaters in goals on the season with 19; Colorado’s Michael Joly leads the ECHL with 24 goals but is currently recalled to San Antonio of the AHL.

RIVALRY BREWING: Friday’s game featured a season-high 53 penalty minutes for the Solar Bears and tied the season-high for major penalties assessed to Orlando with three. Jacksonville’s 56 penalty minutes also represented the most by a Solar Bears opponent this season.

VALLEAU CREDITED WITH ADDITIONAL ASSIST: A score correction from Friday has given Nolan Valleau an secondary assist on Fejes’ empty-net goal, giving the blueliner three total assists for the game. Valleau is the fifth Solar Bears player this season to record three assists in a single game, joining J.C. Campagna, Martins Dzierkals, Max Novak and Joshua Winquist. Valleau is now one point away from 50 career pro points (12g-37a).

CRANE CONTRIBUTES IN RETURN: Chris Crane picked up an assist on Hunter Fejes’ first goal of the game on Friday in his return to the lineup, extending his point streak to three games (2g-1a) dating back to Nov. 12 vs. Florida.

STREAKS:

• Chris Crane – 3-game point streak (2g-1a)

MILESTONES:

• Nolan Valleau – 1 point from 50 career pro points (12g-37a)
• Chris Crane – 3 points from 150 career pro points (69g-78a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: Garret Sparks made 33 saves as the Toronto Marlies (25-11-0-0) rallied for a 3-2 shootout win over Lehigh Valley last night and host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers today at 4 p.m. The Toronto Maple Leafs (24-16-2-0) face the Vancouver Canucks tonight at 7 p.m.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return home on Sunday, Jan. 7 when they host the Icemen at 1:30 p.m. The game is a FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – FAIRWINDS Credit Union members can score free tickets to the game with their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card. CLICK HERE for more information. 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.