Game Preview: Solar Bears at Everblades - March 17, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Florida EverbladesVENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.DATE: Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: ESPN Orlando (580 AM)

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (30-27-6-1) close out the 14-game Wawa Sunshine Cup Series against the Florida Everblades (43-12-2-4).

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Orlando sits in third place in the South Division, with a six-point cushion on fourth-place Atlanta (at home vs. Jacksonville) with the same number of games played. The magic number for the Solar Bears to earn a spot in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs currently sits at seven points, and could drop with any points earned by Orlando tonight.

NOVAK PROVIDING OFFENSE: Max Novak’s power-play goal in the third period gave Orlando’s forward his third goal of the season series against Florida, and his ninth point overall against the Everblades. Novak and J.J. Piccinich are tied for second in team scoring against Florida; injured forward Joshua Winquist leads Orlando with 11 points (5g-6a) in nine games.

HEETER GETS ONE FINAL CRACK AT FLORIDA: After a stellar 39-save effort in Thursday’s 2-1 OT loss to the Everblades, Cal Heeter will get the final start against Florida this season. The goalie’s save percentage has improved with each passing month, and March is no exception – in four appearances this month, Heeter has posted a save percentage of .930.

KERBASHIAN LOOKING FOR FIRST AGAINST FLORIDA: Veteran forward Kale Kerbashian has been one of Orlando’s most productive skaters in the month of March, leading the team with four goals through six games. Kerbashian is also averaging 4.17 shots per game.

MILESTONES:

• Max Novak – 1 assist from 50 career pro assists
• Eric Baier – 1 assist to tie Eric Faille and Denver Manderson for franchise record for assists (79)
• Joe Perry – 3 goals from 50 with Solar Bears

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (44-16-1-1) earned a fifth consecutive win on Friday at Belleville with a 3-1 victory over the Senators; the Marlies will look to push their streak to six games tomorrow at home against the Utica Comets. The Toronto Maple Leafs (42-22-6-1) picked up a 5-2 win in Buffalo on Thursday, and square off against the Montreal tonight.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return home to face the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday, March 21 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.

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.