Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Everblades - May 6, 2018

South Division Finals • Game 5 • Florida leads series 3-1

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida EverbladesVENUE: ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Sunday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via MixlrTICKETS: CLICK HERE

TODAY: The Orlando Solar Bears (5-3) will look to continue their climb back from a 3-0 series deficit against the Florida Everblades (7-1) after taking a 5-3 win in Game 4 on Friday.

DO OR DIE: Orlando will look to do what only two other ECHL postseason clubs have done before – the 2010 Cincinnati Cyclones rallied to defeat the Reading Royals in the American Conference Finals, and the 2018 Idaho Steelheads overcame a 3-0 deficit in the opening round against the Allen Americans. The Solar Bears sport a lifetime 3-3 record when facing elimination in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

DZIERKALS BEGINNING TO BREAK OUT AGAINST ‘BLADES: Forward Martins Dzierkals has come alive over the past two games for Orlando. The rookie picked up an assist in Game 3 and tallied two points – including the game-winning goal – in Game 4. Dzierkals led the Solar Bears with five game-winners in the regular season, and the team posted a 14-0-0-0 record when he found the back of the net during the 2017-18 campaign.

SCORE FIRST: As was the case on Friday, a major key to victory for the Solar Bears will be getting the first goal of the game; Orlando opened the scoring for the first time in the series in Game 4 thanks to Chris LeBlanc’s first-period goal. Orlando has posted a 4-0 record in the postseason when scoring first. The Solar Bears were 21-4-2-1 when scoring first during the regular season.

CONTINUE TO SHUT DOWN MCCARRON: Just as they did in Game 4, the Solar Bears must be a thorn in the side of Everblades forward John McCarron. Orlando prevented the crafty playmaker from registering a point for the first time in the series on Friday, and the Solar Bears will need to limit McCarron once again today, as the forward leads the Everblades in the series with seven points (2g-5a) through four games.

SOLAR BEARS 2018 PLAYOFF LEADERSPOINTS: Fejes – 7GOALS: Fejes & Perry – 3ASSISTS: Fejes – 4+/-: Fejes & Zimmerman – +4PIM: Zimmerman – 43SHOTS: Perry – 27SHOOTING %: Piccinich – 40%GAME-WINNING GOALS: Fejes – 2

STREAKS:

• J.J. Piccinich – 3-game point streak (2g-1a)
• Martins Dzierkals – 2-game point streak (1g-2a)
• Kyle Rankin – 2-game assist streak (2a)

AFFILIATE NOTES: Frederick Gauthier scored in double overtime to give the Toronto Marlies a 2-1 victory over the Syacuse Crunch yesterday. Toronto now holds a 2-0 series lead in the North Division Finals. Game 3 is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at Syracuse.

NEXT GAME: If necessary, Game 6 of the South Division Finals will be held at Germain Arena on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

PLAYOFF TICKETS: Tickets for the second round of the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale now – fans can purchase tickets starting at $18 through the Amway Center box office or by visiting 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.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.