Bear Bites: Week of Nov. 1, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears make their only road trip of the 2021-22 season to Virginia this week for a pair of games against the Admirals at the Norfolk Scope. It is the first meeting between Orlando and Norfolk since Feb. 23, 2020, as the Admirals had opted out of the 2020-21 season.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Thursday, Nov. 4 at Norfolk Admirals at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 5 at Norfolk Admirals at 7:30 p.m.

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.

AT A GLANCESEASON RECORD: 2-1-0-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 1-1-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 2-1-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 3rd of 7 

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 8 pointsMOST GOALS: Aaron Luchuk – 4 goalsMOST ASSISTS: Kyle Topping – 5 assistsPIM LEADER: Jake McGrew – 7 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Montana Onyebuchi – +2

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Friday, Oct. 29 at Atlanta Gladiators: 5-4 LAfter falling behind 5-1 in the third period, the Solar Bears mounted a spirited comeback attempt, getting three goals in a span of 1:05 against the Gladiators, but Orlando’s offense could not find a tying score in the waning moments of regulation. Jake McGrew recorded two goals to lead the way for the Solar Bears.

Sunday, Oct. 31 vs. Jacksonville Icemen: 5-4 OTWAaron Luchuk set a franchise record with a second-period hat trick scored in a span of 12:07, and Jake McGrew netted the overtime-winner as Orlando improved to a lifetime home mark of 21-0-0-0 against the Icemen in the first of 14 meetings this season.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Following our 5-4 overtime win over the Jacksonville Icemen on Sunday afternoon, associate coach Jared Staal, Aaron Luchuk and Jake McGrew spoke about the team’s performance.

BITES:

• The Solar Bears have a lifetime record of 15-9-2-2 (.607) against the Admirals and will play Norfolk a total of eight times during the 2021-22 season.
• Aaron Luchuk enters the week with eight points, tied for the ECHL scoring lead.
• The Solar Bears lead the ECHL with a power play operating at 38.5%.
• Forward Kryštof Hrabík enters the week with a career-best three-game point streak (2g-2a).
• Orlando is tied for second in the league with 4.00 goals scored per game.
• Solar Bears captain Kevin Lohan signed a PTO with the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday and skated in his AHL debut for Syracuse at Lehigh Valley.
• Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky earned his 198th head coaching victory with Orlando on Sunday.

BEARS IN THE NHL:

Several former Solar Bears currently occupy spots on NHL rosters for the 2021-22 season – here we will track their progress:

Now Solar Bears fans can win a trip to Jacksonville for 2022 ECHL All-Star Weekend! The format for the 2022 Warrior / ECHL All-Star Classic will feature the entire Jacksonville Icemen hockey team going head-to-head with the ECHL All-Stars. One lucky fan will win a trip to All-Star Weekend, including travel and accomodations, along with two tickets to Fan Fest on Sunday, January 16 and the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, January 17!

BEAR TRACKS PRESENTED BY PINK WHITNEY:

Former Solar Bears defenseman Sam Jardine joined team broadcaster Jesse Liebman for last week’s episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick and Ohio State alumnus talked about his 2017-18 season with Orlando that saw him earn an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and help the Solar Bears advance to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs in a four-game sweep of the South Carolina Stingrays. Now playing overseas in Slovakia, Jardine also shares some fun travel stories of playing in the Central European ICEHL.

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