Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Royals - March 4, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Reading RoyalsVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Sunday, March 4, 1:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: ESPN Orlando (580 AM)TICKETS: CLICK HERE

PROMOTIONS:

• FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – This season during Sunday Solar Bears home games, 200 FREE tickets will be made available to FAIRWINDS members who show their FAIRWINDS debit or credit card (limit 2 FREE tickets per card), as well as their ID, at ticket windows 11 or 12. Even if you’re running a bit late, all FAIRWINDS members will receive a buy one, get one offer for that day’s game once all free tickets have been claimed – click here for more information.

TODAY: The Solar Bears (27-25-5-1) host the Reading Royals (31-21-5-0) in the second of two meetings this week after taking a 4-3 overtime win on Thursday. The Royals are coming off a loss the Jackonville Icemen on Friday. Orlando owns a lifetime 4-4-0-1 record against the Royals.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Orlando sits in third place in the South Division, with a three-point cushion on fourth-place Atlanta (idle) and with two games in hand. The magic number for the Solar Bears to secure a berth in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs currently sits at 20 points.

VALLEAU EXPECTED TO MAKE RETURN: After being released from his try-out with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves earlier this week, defenseman Nolan Valleau will skate in his first game with the Solar Bears since Jan. 21. In 36 games this season, the blueliner has tallied 30 points (6g-22a) – six of his goals have come on the man advantage, a figure which ties him for the team lead.

THREE OR LESS: A key determining factor for victory this season for the Solar Bears has been when the team surrenders three or fewer goals in a game. In that scenario, as was the case on Thursday against Reading, Orlando has gone 26-3-2-1.

FOUR OR MORE: Orlando’s number of victories when scoring four goals or greater in a game has also been substantial. The Solar Bears are 18-3-0-0 under these circumstances.

FEJES CONTINUES TO LIGHT UP ROYALS: Speedy sniper Hunter Fejes had already shown he would be a force against the Royals in his seven games played with the Wheeling Nailers (5g-2a) before being acquired by the Solar Bears in January. The second-year pro provided another goal in Thursday’s meeting and drew a penalty shot opportunity with his acceleration and nose for the net.

STREAKS:

• J.J. Piccinich – 3-game point streak (2g-2a)
• Martins Dzierkals – 3-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Hunter Fejes – 3-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Sam Jardine – 2-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Kristian Pospisil – 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
• Chris LeBlanc – 2-game assist streak (3a)

MILESTONES:

• Joshua Winquist – 1 assist from 100 career pro assists
• Kale Kerbashian – 2 points from 250 career pro points (91g-157a)
• Hunter Fejes – 3 assists from 50 career pro assists
• Joe Perry – 4 goals from 50 with Solar Bears
• Mike Monfredo – 4 games played from 400 in career

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (39-16-1-1) are looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss to Rochester on Saturday as they take on Belleville at 3 p.m. today. The Toronto Maple Leafs (39-21-6-1) suffered a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals in an outdoor battle at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium last night on Tuesday, and will look to get back in the win column Monday night in Buffalo.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears hit the road next week as they take on the Atlanta Gladiators on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:05 p.m. from Infinite Energy Arena. Orlando returns home to face the Florida Everblades on Thursday, March 15 in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game. 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.

Fiesta 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 our Noche Latina game, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson on Friday, March 23 against the South Carolina Stingrays! 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.