Bear Bites: Week of Feb. 1, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears open up a seven-game road trip this weekend with a pair of games in Estero as they take on the Florida Everblades. The Solar Bears are coming off a week in which they ended with two victories to remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference. 

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: 

• Friday, Feb. 5 at Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb. 6 at Florida Everblades at 7 p.m. 

SEASON RECORD: 8-6-1-0 (.567) LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 2-1-0-0 RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 4-5-1-0 EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS: 5th of 7 

ACTIVE LEADERS: TOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 12 points MOST GOALS: Jake Coughler and Chris LeBlanc – 4 goals MOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 9 assists PIM LEADER: Ben Thomson – 23 PIM PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Devante Stephens – +5 

LAST WEEK’S GAMES: 

Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Florida: 0-3 L The Solar Bears returned to action for the first time since Jan. 17 – despite posting 35 shots on goal, Orlando was unable to solve Florida’s Devin Cooley as Orlando fell to open the week. 

Friday, Jan. 29 at Greenville: 4-3 OTW Jake Coughler led the way with his first three-point game of the season, scoring two goals including the game-winner as Orlando took down the Swamp Rabbits in their first meeting of the season. 

Sunday, Jan. 31 vs. South Carolina: 4-1 W Mark Auk and Jerry D’Amigo each recorded a goal and an assist as the Solar Bears squared off with the Stingrays for the first time in 2020-21, and Orlando put up a season-high 43 shots on goal, while Garret Sparks made 26 saves to get the victory. 

BEARS IN THE NHL: 

With the 2020-21 NHL season underway, several former Solar Bears occupy spots on NHL rosters or taxi squads – here we will track their progress this season: 

*Indicates currently on taxi squad 

BITES: 

• Following Sunday’s win, Orlando is now 5-0-0-0 when scoring first, for a 1.000 win percentage that leads the Eastern Conference
• Chris LeBlanc reached the century mark for career points with the Solar Bears on Friday with his first period goal; LeBlanc also skated in his 200th professional game on Sunday; he’s played 187 with the Solar Bears, the most of any forward in team history. Orlando’s captain also picked up two assists on Sunday, giving him 102 career points with Orlando – he only needs 12 points to move past Eric Baier (111), Jacob Cepis (112) and Denver Manderson (113) for second on the club’s career scoring list 
• The Solar Bears now have the fifth-ranked home power play in the league at 7-for-33 (21.2%); Orlando’s seven power-play goals at home are tied for the Eastern Conference lead 
• Jerry D’Amigo has five points (2g-3a) in his last eight games 
• The Solar Bears are 8-1-1-0 when scoring three or more goals 
• Jake Coughler has four points (3g-1a) in his last four games 
• Mark Auk remains among the top-scoring defensemen in the ECHL, as his 13 points in 13 combined games with Orlando and Rapid City places him tied for second with Allen’s Matt Register 
• Garret Sparks stopped his third career penalty shot with Orlando on Sunday; he is 3-for-3 in his Solar Bears career facing penalty shots 
• Michael Lackey posted a personal season-high .919 save percentage in Friday's 4-3 overtime win at Greenville, going 34-of-37 
• Alexander Kuqali, Tristin Langan, Aaron Luchuk and Patrick McNally remain the only players to have played in every single game for Orlando this season 

SCRATCH AND WIN: 

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