WHO: Orlando Solar Bears vs. South Carolina StingraysVENUE: Jewett Orthopaedic Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.DATE: Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.WATCH: ECHL.TVLISTEN: OSB Radio via Facebook, Mixlr and TuneInTICKETS: CLICK HERE
TONIGHT: The Orlando Solar Bears (21-19-5-1) close out a three-in-three set with their second consecutive match against the South Carolina Stingrays (33-9-3-1). Orlando is coming off a 4-0 loss to South Carolina on Thursday night. This is the 11th of 12 meetings between Orlando and South Carolina this season - the Solar Bears own a 2-8-0-0 record against the Stingrays, who lead the ECHL’s South Division with 70 points.
TIGHT-SCORING AFFAIR: Since the third quarter of the season began on Jan. 18 at Jacksonville, Orlando’s games have been low-scoring battles, oftentimes decided by just one goal. In its last 10 games, Orlando is averaging 2.3 goals per game while surrendering just 1.9 goals against. Last night’s four goals against was the largest total surrendered by Orlando over its previous 10 contests.
CONDON TO START: Goaltender Mike Condon is expected to get his first start with the Solar Bears tonight, making his first ECHL appearance since he suited up for the Wheeling Nailers in the second round of the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs on May 12, 2014. As a rookie with Wheeling that season, Condon led the entire ECHL with a .931 save percentage. The goaltender has 129 games of NHL experience on his résumé, with stops in Montréal, Pittsburgh and Ottawa. He has appeared in six games with AHL Syracuse this season, going 3-2-1 with a 4.10 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage.
COUGHLER ACTIVATED: Forward Jake Coughler has been activated from the team’s reserve list, and will suit up tonight after missing Orlando’s last five games. Prior to that, the rookie had enjoyed some success playing on a line with Tristin Langan and Tyler Bird; Coughler had three goals and was +5 in three games prior to being sidelined. With Langan recalled to the AHL, Coughler and Bird will be reunited together on a line tonight with Dylan Fitze.
BOYD MOVED BACK TO BLUE LINE: With the return of Coughler and the reassignment of Oleg Sosunov to the Syracuse Crunch earlier this afternoon, Rich Boyd will drop back to his natural position on defense. The rookie blueliner had played the last two games at forward; he is tied for the team lead in scoring in the month of February with two points (1g-1a) in three games.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: Dan DeSalvo is tied for the team lead in scoring for South Carolina this season with 42 points. The forward is in the midst of a three-game point streak for the Stingrays, collecting six points (3g-3a) over that span.
NEXT GAME:
The Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. for Pizza Party Palooza, presented by Pizza Hut. The Solar Bears will take the ice against Florida wearing pizza jerseys and hundreds of fans will receive free pizzas from Pizza Hut! Sunday’s game is also a Fairwinds Solar Bears Sunday — the first 100 Fairwinds members to show their Fairwinds debit/credit card and photo ID at the Amway Center box office can score a free pair of tickets to the game. Other Fairwinds members can also take advantage of a buy-one-get-one ticket offer. Visit fairwinds.org/solarbears for more information. 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.