Game Preview: Solar Bears at Gladiators - Feb. 3, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Atlanta GladiatorsVENUE: Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth, Ga.DATE: Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:05 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via Mixlr

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (19-20-5-1) battle the Atlanta Gladiators (24-22-1-2) less than one week after earning their first victory of the season against Atlanta. The fifth-place Solar Bears currently sit seven points behind third-place Atlanta, with four games in hand.

WINQUIST LEADS THE WAY: The Solar Bears have been paced by leading scorer Joshua Winquist in their series with the Gladiators. Winquist became the first player this season to reach the 40-point mark with a two-point effort in last Sunday’s 4-3 win over Atlanta, and has put up six points (3g-3a) in four contests against the Gladiators.

SOLAR BEARS LOOK TO CONTAIN SPARKS: Orlando’s defenders will aim to shut down Atlanta’s Lindsay Sparks tonight. The forward leads the Gladiators against Orlando with six points in five games, and enters today tied for 13th in league scoring with 43 points (10g-33a) in 42 games.

SKAPSKI EXPECTED TO START: Goaltender Mackenzie Skapski is expected to start a fourth consecutive game for the Solar Bears tonight, the longest streak by the netminder this season. Skapski was instrumental in helping Orlando secure its first win against Atlanta last Sunday, and possesses a .916 save percentage in three appearances against the Gladiators this season.

POSPISIL MAKES RETURN: The Solar Bears get Kristian Pospisil back in the lineup tonight, as he has finished serving his three-game suspension. The rookie has appeared in only one game against the Gladiators this season, but is tied for the team rookie goal scoring lead.

STREAKS:

• Hunter Fejes – 2-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Joe Perry – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
• Martins Dzierkals – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)

MILESTONES:

• Kale Kerbashian – 2 points from 250 career pro points (91g-157a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (33-11-0-1) picked up their third straight win with a 4-2 victory over the Rochester Americans on Friday and prepare for a 4 p.m. clash with the Laval Rocket this afternoon. The Toronto Maple Leafs (30-18-5-0) continue their road trip on Saturday night with an Original Six matchup against the Boston Bruins.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return home to play the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center at 7 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.