Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Icemen - Jan. 7, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Jacksonville IcemenVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Sunday, Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio on MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTIONS:

• FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – FAIRWINDSmembers can score FREE tickets to today’s game at Amway Center box office windows 11 and 12 for today’s game when they present their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card – click here for details.

TODAY: The Solar Bears (15-16-4-1) complete their three-in-three series against the Jacksonville Icemen (9-18-3-2). Today’s game marks the second-to-last match in the nine-game regular season series. The Solar Bears have already clinched a series win over the Icemen with a 5-1-1-0 record against the Icemen this season. A win today and a regulation loss to Greenville in their game against Norfolk will allow the Solar Bears to tie the Swamp Rabbits in total points for third in the South Division.

KERBASHIAN EXPECTED TO MAKE DEBUT: Veteran forward Kale Kerbashian is expected to make his debut with Orlando this afternoon. The forward split last year with Allen and Wheeling of the ECHL before making his way to Australia to play for the Newcastle Northstars. He is two points away from 150 in his ECHL career (55g-93a), which he has spent with Allen, Wheeling, Wichita, Rapid City, Evansville, Gwinnett and Greenville.

DZIERKALS CONTRIBUTING IN RETURN: After being held pointless in his first two games back with Orlando following his reassignment from AHL Toronto, rookie forward Martins Dzierkals has returned to the offensive level of production he displayed during his first stint with the team this season. Dzierkals found the back of the net in both Friday and Saturday’s games, and also dished out two assists. He is tied for the team scoring lead against Jacksonville with Joshua Winquist, posting seven points (4g-3a) in five games.

ORLANDO CONTAINING ICEMEN: In addition to keeping Jacksonville off the scoreboard, the Solar Bears defense kept the Icemen from generating an attack in the first period, limiting Jacksonville to just three total shots, which tied a season-low in the opening frame for the Icemen.

STREAKS:

• Chris Crane – 4-game point streak (3g-2a)
• Martins Dzierkals – 2-game point streak (2g-2a)
• Joshua Winquist – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

MILESTONES:

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

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (26-11-0-0) routed the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 6-1 win on Saturday, and now head to Charlotte, N.C. to face the Checkers on Friday. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs (25-16-2-0) prevailed in a 3-2 shootout win over Vancouver last night – Toronto resumes play on Monday against Columbus.

NEXT GAME: Orlando heads north to face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Solar Bears return home on Saturday, Jan. 20 when they host the Florida Everblades for Military Appreciation Night, presented by Hunter Vision at 7 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center. 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.