Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Everblades - Jan. 20, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida EverbladesVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m.WATCH: My65 Orlando (WRBW); ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTIONS:

• Military Appreciation Night, presented by Hunter Vision – The Solar Bears will take the ice wearing their Military Appreciation Night jerseys, which will be auctioned throughout the game on the Amway Center concourse and will be presented to the winning bidders following the game. As a partner of the Solar Bears and a proud supporter of our nation’s military, Hunter Vision is offering 20% off LASIK surgery for all active duty and retired military personnel, as well as first responders throughout the 2017-18 regular season. In the spirit of competition, the Solar Bears encourage fans to show their support and purchase their tickets to the game on behalf of their respective military branch using the following branch-specific links below:
  • Army: orlandosolarbearshockey.com/army
  • Marine Corps: orlandosolarbearshockey.com/marines
  • Navy: orlandosolarbearshockey.com/navy
  • Air Force: orlandosolarbearshockey.com/airforce
  • Coast Guard: orlandosolarbearshockey.com/coastguard
• Televised game – Tonight’s game is the second of three Solar Bears games to be televised on WRBW My65 Orlando during the 2017-18 regular season. My65 can be located on CenturyLink Prism (channel 5, HD 1065), Charter Spectrum (channel 6, HD 1065) and Comcast Xfinity (channel 15, HD 436).
• Wawa Sunshine Cup Series: Game 7 – 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 14-game 2017-18 regular season series. 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 (17-17-4-1) return from the All-Star break ready to take on the Florida Everblades (28-6-1-2) in another Wawa Sunshine Cup Series battle. The Solar Bears are 1-4-1-0 against Florida this season – Orlando’s last home game against the Everblades was a 5-3 victory on Dec. 29.

MILESTONE REACHED: Tonight’s game represents the 400th regular season game in ECHL Solar Bears history. Since coming out of hibernation in 2012-13, the Solar Bears have gone 194-159-26-20 (.544) in their previous 399 games, and have made three trips to the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE: As the second half of the 2017-18 season gets underway, 25 of Orlando’s remaining 33 games are against South Division teams, including tonight’s game against Florida. Entering Saturday’s games, the Solar Bears are seeded fifth in the South Division, but are only two points behind third-place Atlanta with three games in hand.

JARDINE IMPROVING OFFENSIVE PLAY: Over his last four games, defenseman Sam Jardine has come alive offensively. The third-year blueliner has chipped in a goal and four assists, accounting for slightly over 40% of his total offensive production this season. In that span, Jardine has also logged a +3 rating.

BOOTLAND EXPECTED TO MAKE RETURN: After missing the previous six games due to injury and suspension, veteran forward Darryl Bootland is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight. He has already chipped in an assist through two games against Florida this season, and the Solar Bears are 7-5-1-1 when Bootland is in the lineup.

STREAKS:

• Joshua Winquist – 3-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Kale Kerbashian – 2-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Sam Jardine – 2-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Hunter Fejes – 2-game assist streak (2a)

MILESTONES:

• Nolan Valleau – 1 point from 50 career pro points (12g-37a)
• Chris Crane – 1 point from 150 career pro points (69g-78a)
• Kale Kerbashian – 2 points 250 career pro points (91g-157a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (29-11-0-0) picked up a 4-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch last night and return to action tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Binghamton Devils. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs (25-17-5-0) dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, and visit the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7 p.m.

NEXT GAME:  The Solar Bears are back in action on Sunday, Jan. 21 when they host the Florida Everblades 1:30 p.m. at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center for a FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday. 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.