Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Stingrays | Oct. 12, 2019

Orlando opens its eighth season of ECHL hockey tonight

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. South Carolina StingraysVENUE: Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.WATCH: WKMG-TV News 6 and ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via Mixlr and TuneInTICKETS: SOLD OUT

TONIGHT: The Orlando Solar Bears (0-0-0-0) open the 2019-20 season against the South Carolina Stingrays (0-0-0-0). Orlando went 1-0-1-0 in the preseason against the Florida Everblades. Orlando takes on a Stingrays squad that it has defeated in back-to-back seasons in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Solar Bears face the Stingrays a total of 12 times this season, with seven of the games taking place in Orlando.

RETURNING CORE: Orlando’s Season-Opening Roster contains 12 players who played for the Solar Bears last season, either while under contract to the ECHL club or loaned to Orlando through other organizations. Six players on Orlando’s Season-Opening Roster (Mike Monfredo, Chris LeBlanc, Michael Brodzinski, Cody Donaghey, Colby McAuley and Brent Pedersen) also suited up for the Solar Bears in last season’s opening game.

OPENING NIGHT: Tonight’s game marks the first time Orlando has opened its home schedule against South Carolina, after hosting Florida, Greenville and Atlanta in previous home openers. The Solar Bears are looking for their first win on home ice to open the season since 2015-16, when Orlando doubled up Greenville by a 6-3 score. The Solar Bears are historically 3-3-1-0 (.500) in overall season-opening games.

MARTIN GETS THE START: The Solar Bears begin the season with three strong options in net, and it will be Spencer Martin who starts tonight for the Solar Bears. Martin is the only player on Orlando’s roster with NHL experience, as the netminder appeared in three games for the Colorado Avalanche during the 2016-17 season and previously was an All-Star selection in the American Hockey League. Martin saw two periods of preseason action for Orlando, making 16 saves on 17 shots and earning the victory in a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades.

BRODZINSKI AND DONAGHEY REUNITED: The Solar Bears received a major boost to their blue line earlier this week with the signing of Michael Brodzinski. The signing reunites Brodzinski with his defensive partner from last season, Cody Donaghey. Both defensemen set single-season club marks for blueliners in 2018-19: Donaghey tied the record for goals with 15 and points with 43, while Brodzinski set the record for assists with 29. The Solar Bears also posted a 23-4-2-1 record during games in which Brodzinski recorded at least a point.

OLSON SET FOR RETURN: After missing the final month of the 2018-19 regular season and all of the playoffs with a season-ending injury, Trevor Olson is set to make his return to regular season action tonight for Orlando. The sophomore winger tallied the game-winner in the Solar Bears’ 3-2 preseason victory at Florida. Last season Orlando posted a 13-0-1-0 record when Olson recorded a goal.

LANGAN TO MAKE PRO DEBUT: Forward Tristin Langan will make his professional hockey debut tonight for the Solar Bears, as the former San Jose Sharks draft selection is the only player on Orlando’s roster without a single game of pro experience. The rookie is coming off after a prolific final season of major junior, leading the Western Hockey League in goal-scoring with a 53-goal campaign for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: The Stingrays are on their third coach in as many seasons, as Steve Bergin was elevated from the assistant coach position in the summer to replace outgoing bench boss Spiros Anastas. The Stingrays possess seven players on their roster who saw time in the Lowcountry last season, including 2018 ECHL Goaltender of the Year Parker Milner. The Stingrays have also brought in a familiar face for Solar Bears fans, as forward Max Novak – who led Orlando in scoring during the 2017-18 season – signed with the club during the summer.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Solar Bears take the ice against the Norfolk Admirals on Friday, Oct. 18 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.