Bear Bites: Week of May 3, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have returned home from an eight-game road trip and now dig into a busy month of May that features 13 games at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center, including three games this week against the South Carolina Stingrays and Greenville Swamp Rabbits. 

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: 

• Monday, May 3 vs. South Carolina Stingrays at 7 p.m. 
• Friday, May 7 vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, May 8 vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7 p.m. - Military Appreciation Night, presented by VyStar Credit Union (specialty jersey) 

SEASON RECORD: 28-21-4-1 (.565) LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 1-2-0-0 RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-4-1-0 EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS: 4th of 7 

ACTIVE LEADERS: TOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 58 points MOST GOALS: Tristin Langan and Aaron Luchuk – 22 goals MOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 36 assists PIM LEADER: Tristin Langan – 46 PIM PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Nolan Valleau – +18 

LAST WEEK’S GAMES: 

Monday, April 26 at Indy Fuel: 5-1 W In a continuation of the game started on Saturday, April 24, the Solar Bears added to their two-goal lead when play resumed with 5:04 remaining in the first period on Monday, as Aaron Luchuk, Fabrizio Ricci and Tristin Langan added goals to complete the game and give Orlando a 2-1-0-0 series win over Indy. 

Wednesday, April 28 at Jacksonville: POSTPONED Wednesday’s road game against Jacksonville was postponed, per ECHL Health and Safety protocols; the game will now be played on Wednesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. 

Friday, April 30 vs. South Carolina Stingrays: 6-2 L Michael Joly scored in his home debut and Aaron Luchuk continued to add to his team-leading point totals with his 22nd goal of the season, but Stingrays' netminder Alex Dubeau made 33 saves and held Orlando to only two goals. 

Sunday, May 2 vs. South Carolina Stingrays: 7-4 L Michael Joly scored early in the first period to give Orlando the initial lead, but the Stingrays got multi-goal performances from Andrew Cherniwchan, Dan DeSalvo and Max Novak, as the Solar Bears dropped their second consecutive home match to South Carolina. 

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: 

• Aaron Luchuk is second in league scoring, and first in the Eastern Conference, with 58 points (22g-36a) 
• Orlando is third with a power play operating at 21.1% 
• Michael Joly carries a three-game goal-scoring streak (3g) into tonight’s game 
• Orlando is fourth with a 3.07 goals-for per game average 
• Joe Garreffa is third in rookie scoring with 35 points in 41 games 
• The Solar Bears are 17-0-0-1 when leading after two periods 
• Chris LeBlanc needs two more assists (78) to pass Denver Manderson and Eric Faille for the most assists in club history 
• The Solar Bears went 8-5-1-0 in the month of April 
• Mark Auk is third in power-play assists with 15 
• Orlando is 17-0-0-0 when allowing two or fewer goals 
• Clint Windsor is fourth with 16 wins 
• Orlando is 28-4-2-0 when scoring three or more goals 

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