Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Beast | Jan. 5, 2020

WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Brampton BeastVENUE: Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Sunday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via Facebook, Mixlr and TuneInPROMOTIONS:

• FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – Fairwinds Credit Union members can score one of 100 pairs of free tickets to the game when they present their Fairwinds debit/credit card and photo ID at the Amway Center box office. Once all 100 pairs are claimed, Fairwinds members can still take advantage of a Buy-One-Get-One offer. Visit fairwinds.org/solarbears for more information.

TICKETS: CLICK HERE

TODAY: The Orlando Solar Bears (13-13-4-1) face the Brampton Beast (19-12-2-0) for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Orlando has a lifetime record of 9-0-0-0 against Brampton. The Solar Bears are 5-0-1-0 over their last six games on home ice.

NEW DECADE, TIME FLIES: The Solar Bears concluded the 2010s with a 264-210-37-24 record (.551) in 535 regular season games. Since Orlando’s inaugural ECHL season in 2012-13, 10 teams that were members of the premier “AA” hockey circuit have either switched leagues, relocated or ceased operations. The league as it exists today also includes five former Central Hockey League markets added prior to the 2014-15 season (including today’s opponent), along with three expansion memberships in Indianapolis (2014-15), Worcester (2017-18) and Newfoundland (2018-19).

BRODZINSKI COMING OFF MONSTER MONTH: Defenseman Michael Brodzinski led Orlando – and all ECHL blueliners – in the month of December with 17 points (3g-14a) in 13 games. Brodzinksi also finished December as runner-up for the Warrior Hockey ECHL Player of the Month.

FIRST GOAL WILL BE CRUCIAL: The first goal is always crucial, but especially against the Beast – Brampton is tied for the league lead with 17 wins when scoring first. The Beast are also 14-0-1-0 when leading after the first and 13-5-0-0 when outshot by opponents, suggesting that Orlando’s opponent has a tendency to build a lead and then play a trap-defense. Orlando is 7-2-1-0 when out-shooting the opposition this season.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: The Beast are in their first season under head coach Spiros Anastas, whom Solar Bears fans may recognize as the former bench boss of the South Carolina Stingrays. While Brampton previously served as an affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens when Orlando last faced the Beast, the team is now an ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. Brampton’s roster contains five players who previously suited up for the Solar Bears: Erik Bradford (2015-16), Christopher Clapperton (2015-16), Rob Mann (2018-19), Brenden Miller (2015-17) and Lindsay Sparks (2015-16).

NEXT GAMES:

The Solar Bears open up a six-game road trip when they face the Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Solar Bears return home to face the Jacksonville Icemen on Thursday, Jan. 23 for a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Coors Light – fans can take advantage of $5 domestic draft beers during the game. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for 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. 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.