Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Stingrays - March 21, 2018

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. South Carolina StingraysVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: ESPN Orlando (580 AM)TICKETS: CLICK HERE

TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (31-27-6-1) open up a five-game homestand with the first of three-game set against the South Carolina Stingrays (40-15-6-1). Orlando leads the regular season series with a 4-3-0-0 record against South Carolina; the Solar Bears previously swept a two-game home series against the Stingrays back in November. Orlando is in the midst of a four-game unbeaten streak at home (4-0-1-0).

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Orlando sits in third place in the South Division, with a six-point cushion on fourth-place Atlanta (idle today) with one game in hand. The magic number for the Solar Bears to earn a spot in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs currently sits at five points, and could drop with any points earned by Orlando tonight.

DUPUY LEADS SOLAR BEARS AGAINST STINGRAYS: Jean Dupuy has enjoyed a productive season against South Carolina – his five points (2g-3a) in four games leads Orlando, and the third-year pro netted the game-winning tally in a 3-2 Solar Bears victory over the Stingrays on Nov. 25.

WINQUIST EXPECTED TO MAKE RETURN: Forward Joshua Winquist will play his first game for Orlando since Feb. 26 vs. Norfolk. The forward missed eight games since the win against the Admirals, and has consistently been one of Orlando’s top offensive performers this season with 49 points in 49 games. Winquist is also one power-play point away from setting a new Solar Bears single-season record for points attained on the man advantage (currently tied with Eric Faille and Max Novak with 20).

STREAKS:

• Max Novak – 2-game point streak (2g-4a)
• Sam Jardine – 2-game assist streak (2a)

MILESTONES:

• Eric Baier – 1 assist to tie Eric Faille and Denver Manderson for franchise record for assists (79)
• Joe Perry – 1 point from 150 in professional career; 2 goals from 50 with Solar Bears
• Hunter Fejes – 2 points from 100 in professional career
• Sam Jardine – 2 points from 50 in professional career
• Kale Kerbashian – 3 goals from 100 in professional career
• Sean Zimmerman – 4 points from 100 in professional career

AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (45-17-1-1) prevailed by a 4-3 overtime score over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Tuesday, in what was the 1,000th regular season game for the Marlies – Toronto begins a three-in-three weekend on Friday at Belleville. The Toronto Maple Leafs (43-23-6-1) raced out to a 3-0 lead last night but couldn’t hold off the high-powered offense of the Tampa Bay Lightning and ultimately fell 4-3 on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs visit Nashville on Thursday.

NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears continue their home series against the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday, March 23 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center at 7 p.m. Friday’s game is also Noche Latina, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson. 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.