Bear Bites: Week of Nov. 8, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears will take the ice five times in a span of six days this week, facing the Jacksonville Icemen on home ice before departing for the first four games of a five-game road trip that will see Orlando battle the Florida Everblades, Jacksonville and the South Carolina Stingrays.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Tuesday, Nov. 9 vs. Jacksonville Icemen at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 12 at Jacksonville Icemen at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 13 at South Carolina Stingrays at 6:05 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 14 at South Carolina Stingrays at 3:05 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.

DON’T MISS IT:

Join us this Friday at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. on Friday, Nov. 12 for our first watch party of the season as the Solar Bears take on the Jacksonville Icemen from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. While you’re enjoying the evening with fellow Solar Bears fans, enjoy a wide selection of craft beers including Bear Beer Florida Lager, the latest collaboration between the brewery and the Solar Bears!

AT A GLANCESEASON RECORD: 2-2-1-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-1-1-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 2-2-1-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 6th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 12 pointsMOST GOALS: Aaron Luchuk – 5 goalsMOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 7 assistsPIM LEADER: Steenn Pasichnuk – 12 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Luke Boka – EvenLAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Thursday, Nov. 4 at Norfolk Admirals: 3-1 LMichael Brodzinski scored his first of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the opening frame, but the Admirals added goals in the second and third periods to take the opening game of the two-game set in Norfolk. Orlando dressed only 14 skaters due to several call-ups.

Friday, Nov. 5 at Norfolk Admirals: 6-5 OTLThe Solar Bears their largest offensive performance in the first period this season, building a 4-1 lead thanks to goals from Luke McInnis, Canon Pieper, Aaron Luchuk and Luke Boka, but the Admirals stormed back to force overtime and won the game on a Darien Craighead power-play goal.

BITES:

• The Solar Bears are 1-0-0-0 against Jacksonville this season.
• Aaron Luchuk enters the week with 12 points (5g-7a), which leads the ECHL.
• Orlando’s four goals in the first period on Friday match a league-high for goals scored by a team in the opening frame.
• The Solar Bears lead the ECHL with a power play operating at 35.0% (7-for-20).
• Defenseman Michael Brodzinski enters the week with a five-game point streak (1g-4a), the longest of his pro career.

Orlando is averaging the fewest penalty minutes among South Division clubs with 12.80 minutes assessed per game.

BEARS IN THE NHL:

Several former Solar Bears have played for NHL clubs during the 2021-22 season – here we will track their performance:

* Currently assigned to AHL

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 accommodations, along with two tickets to Fan Fest on Sunday, January 16 and the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, January 17!

Goaltender Brad Barone joined team broadcaster Jesse Liebman for last week’s episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The former Boston College puck-stopper talked about his career that has taken him from the Berlin River Drivers of the low-A Federal Hockey League to his ascension to the ECHL, which has seen him play for several clubs before arriving this season in Orlando.

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