Bear Bites: Week of Feb. 22, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears return to action this week as they host the Jacksonville Icemen this Friday, Feb. 26, before heading up the Atlantic coast to battle the Icemen on the road in a pair of games. 

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: 

• Friday, Feb. 26 vs. Jacksonville Icemen at 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb. 27 at Jacksonville Icemen at 7 p.m. 
• Sunday, Feb. 28 at Jacksonville Icemen at 3 p.m. 

WILLIE O'REE WARM-UP JERSEYS:

In celebration of Black History Month, the Solar Bears are wearing warm-up jerseys during February home games in celebration of Willie O'Ree and his contributions to the game of hockey. The warm-up sweaters will be auctioned off to benefit Parramore Kidz Zone. Fans can visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/willie to place their bids now.

SEASON RECORD: 11-10-2-0 (.522) LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-2-1-0 RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-4-1-0 EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS: 4th of 7 

ACTIVE LEADERS:

TOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 19 points MOST GOALS: Jake Coughler – 9 goals MOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 14 assists PIM LEADER: Tristin Langan – 24 PIM PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Devante Stephens – +5 

LAST WEEK’S GAMES: 

Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Florida: 3-2 L Tristin Langan and Aaron Luchuk assisted on each other’s goals, but the Solar Bears could not tie the score late in regulation with the goaltender pulled as Orlando’s two-game win streak came to an end. 

Friday, Feb. 19 at Florida: 3-2 OTL Jake Coughler scored twice for the Solar Bears, with his first coming just 14 seconds into the game to set a new club record, but the Solar Bears only escaped with one point in the overtime loss. 

Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Florida: 4-1 L Jake Coughler scored for the second straight game, but it was the lone goal for Orlando as the team capped the week with another defeat to its in-state rival. 

The Orlando Solar Bears along with VyStar Credit Union, have announced the launch of a co-branded debit card, available now for all VyStar Credit Union members.

Fans can get a Solar Bears debit card when they open a VyStar account with a minimum balance of $5 at any branch location. They can also apply for membership online at apply.vystarcu.org but will need to visit a branch to get a Solar Bears card. Current members can request a co-branded card by visiting a branch, calling 800-445-6289 or speaking to a VyChat representative at www.vystarcu.org.

BEARS IN THE NHL: 

Several former Solar Bears occupy spots on NHL rosters or taxi squads during the 2020-21 season – here we will track their progress: 

*Indicates currently on taxi squad 

BITES: 

• Tristin Langan (1g-8a) and Aaron Luchuk (2g-4a) enter the week with five-game point streaks 
• Langan is also second in the Eastern Conference in the month of February with 10 points (2g-8a) in eight games 
• Luchuk is tied for 11th in league scoring with 19 points (5g-14a); his 14 assists place him fifth among all forwards 
• Orlando is 7-0-0-0 when Tyler Bird records at least a point 
• The Solar Bears are 18-0-0-0 lifetime at home against Jacksonville 
• Dylan Sadowy’s next game with the Solar Bears will be his 100th ECHL game 
• The Solar Bears are 11-1-1-0 when scoring three or more goals 
• Michael Lackey is ninth among league goaltenders with 540 minutes played 
• Orlando is the least-penalized team in the Eastern Conference, averaging 11.83 penalty minutes per game 
• Alexander Kuqali, Tristin Langan, and Aaron Luchuk are the only players to have played in every single game for Orlando this season 

Become a VyStar Credit Union member! 

VyStar Credit Union is the official credit union of the Orlando Solar Bears – take advantage of member benefits including discounted tickets and more! 

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A VYSTAR CREDIT UNION MEMBER