Bear Bites: Week of Jan. 4, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades for 70s Night at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center on Friday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m., and visit the Jacksonville Icemen for the first time this season at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. 

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: 

• Friday, Jan. 8 vs. Florida Everblades at 7 p.m. – 70s NIGHT
• Saturday, Jan. 9 at Jacksonville Icemen at 7 p.m. 

SEASON RECORD: 4-3-0-0 LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 2-2-0-0  

ACTIVE LEADERS: TOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 6 points (1g-5a) PIM LEADER: Ben Thomson – 19 PIM PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Tyler Bird and Ben Thomson – +4 

LAST WEEK’S GAMES: 

Tuesday, Dec. 29 vs. Jacksonville: 3-2 OTW The Solar Bears hosted the Jacksonville Icemen for the first time in a home opener, and snapped a four-year streak of losses in the first home game of the year. J.J. Piccinich and Tyler Bird scored in regulation, and Tristin Langan provided the overtime winner to lift Orlando to the victory, improving the Solar Bears to a lifetime record of 18-0-0-0 on home ice against the Icemen. 

Wednesday, Dec. 30 vs. Florida: 7-4 W Orlando hosted the Florida Everblades for the first time this season and posted a season-high seven goals in a 7-4 victory. Six different goal scorers found the back of the net, while Ryan Lohin scored twice for Orlando. Goaltender Michael Lackey picked up the win in his first career professional appearance, making 32 saves. The victory gave Orlando its first-ever 4-1-0-0 start in team history. 

Saturday, Jan. 2 at Florida: 3-0 L The Solar Bears were held off the scoresheet as Orlando saw its season-high four-game win streak come to an end. 

Sunday, Jan. 3 vs. Florida: 7-1 L Jake Coughler scored in his first game back since his activation from the Injured Reserve, but the Everblades scored three power-play goals in a 1:45-second span in the first period during overlapping penalties, and used that outburst to deal Orlando its second loss of the week. 

BEARS IN THE NHL: 

With NHL training camps opening over this past weekend, several Solar Bears players past and present are on major league training camp rosters: 

BITES: 

• Orlando has posted an 8-5-1-0 record at Jacksonville over the last three seasons
• The seven goals scored by the Solar Bears on Dec. 30 vs. Florida is tied for the most goals scored by any team in a single game this season 
• Orlando is 2-0-0-0 when scoring first 
• The Solar Bears are 3-0-0-0 when leading after two periods 
• The Solar Bears are currently averaging the third-most penalty minutes with 16.14 PIMs per game 
• Orlando’s four consecutive wins from Dec. 18-30 is the longest winning streak of any Eastern Conference team 
• Aaron Luchuk is tied for fifth in the ECHL in assists with five; he is also tied for the longest home-ice assist streak this season, with three helpers over his last three home games 
• Chris LeBlanc needs only two more points for 100 in his career with the Solar Bears (36g-62a) – he has played 179 career games with Orlando, the most among any forward in team history 
• Tristin Langan’s overtime goal on Dec. 29 was the second in his career with Orlando, tying him for the second-most in franchise history; Mickey Lang (2013-15) holds the franchise record with three 
• Clint Windsor needs only one more appearance to move past Cal Heeter (43 games played) for sole possession of fourth place on the franchise list for goaltender games played 
• Orlando is 3-0-0-0 when one of either Peter Abbandonato, Tyler Bird, Tristin Langan or Chris LeBlanc records at least a point 

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