Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Admirals | Oct. 18, 2019

Orlando hosts Norfolk for first time this season

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Norfolk AdmiralsVENUE: Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via Facebook, Mixlr and TuneInTICKETS: CLICK HERE

TONIGHT: The Orlando Solar Bears (0-1-0-0) seek their first victory of the 2019-20 season against the Norfolk Admirals (0-2-0-0). The Solar Bears play the Admirals a total of eight times this season, with five matches taking place in Orlando.

HEAD TO HEAD: Since the Admirals joined the ECHL during the 2015-16 season, the Solar Bears have posted a 11-6-2-2 record against the club. Last season, each team earned three wins against each other through six total games. Trevor Olson led the Solar Bears in scoring against Norfolk in 2018-19 with six points (3g-3a) in five matches.

SAWCHENKO EXPECTED TO START: Goaltender Zach Sawchenko is expected to make his regular season pro debut for the Solar Bears tonight. The goalie got into two periods of action with Orlando during the preseason over the course of two games, stopping 15 of 16 shots (.938 save percentage) in 40 minutes of action. The rookie netminder is coming off a two-year career at the University of Alberta, in which he led the Golden Bears program to back-to-back national championship game appearances and posted a career 28-4-1 record with five shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.79 and save percentage of .919.

FAST START WILL HELP: In both games that Norfolk has played this season, the Admirals found themselves trailing after the first period. Last season, the Solar Bears excelled at putting the opposition on its heels in the game’s opening 20 minutes, as Orlando owned an impressive 26-4-2-0 record when scoring first, and a 20-1-2-0 record when leading after the first period.

RETURN OF FEJES KEEPS OFFENSE HOPEFUL: With Wednesday’s signing of Hunter Fejes, the Solar Bears gain a potent offensive weapon. The Solar Bears have posted a lifetime 21-9-1-0 (.694) record in games in which Fejes gets on the scoresheet. Fejes has two points (1g-1a) in two career games for the Solar Bears against Norfolk. His goal against the Admirals on Feb. 25, 2018 was also a game-winner for Orlando.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: The Admirals underwent some major changes in the offseason, as the team was sold to former Hampton Roads Admirals player Patrick Cavanagh, and the club announced the hiring of former Hampton Roads star and ECHL Hall of Famer Rod Taylor as the new head coach. Norfolk is also the lone independent club without an NHL affiliate this season, after previously holding affiliations with Arizona, Nashville and Edmonton. The Admirals have two former Solar Bears player on their roster, as forward J.C. Campagna (2017-18) was acquired from the Fort Wayne Komets in late August, and defenseman Austin McEneny was dealt by the Solar Bears to the Allen Americans in the preseason before he was then acquired by Norfolk.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades for the first time in the 2019-20 season on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center. CLICK HERE for tickets to this game.

Purchase Single-Game Tickets:

Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.

Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. An extremely limited quantity of replica jerseys are available for purchase online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place their order today.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play 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 at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.