Bear Bites: Week of Dec. 13, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears continue their six-game road trip this week when they make a rare Western Conference swing through Texas and Oklahoma, as Orlando will play the Allen Americans in a pair of games and pay their first-ever visit to the BOK Center to take on the Tulsa Oilers.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Friday, Dec. 17 at Allen Americans at 8:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday, Dec. 18 at Allen Americans at 8:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday, Dec. 19 at Tulsa Oilers at 5:05 p.m. ET

TEDDY BEAR TOSS IS NEXT WEEK

Don’t forget – Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Janney Roofing, is next Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. when we host the Atlanta Gladiators at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center!

Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears and stuffed animals to throw onto the ice once the Solar Bears score their first goal of the game, which will be collected and distributed to local children during the holiday season.

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: 11-10-1-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-3-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-5-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 3rd of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 22 pointsMOST GOALS: Aaron Luchuk – 9 goalsMOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 13 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 29 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Braydon Barker – +1LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 4-2 LIan Parker and Steenn Pasichnuk scored, but the Swamp Rabbits added three goals in the third period to take the first meeting of the season between Orlando and Greenville.

Friday, Dec. 10 at Atlanta Gladiators: 4-0 LAtlanta goaltender Tyler Parks stopped all 39 Orlando shots he faced to blank the Solar Bears.

Saturday, Dec. 11 at Jacksonville Icemen: 7-2 LKyle Topping scored his first goal of the season and Tristin Langan added a shorthanded goal, but Jacksonville’s Vladislav Mikhalchuk recorded a four-point night (3g-1a) to send Orlando to its third straight loss.

BITES:

• Tristin Langan has eight points (2g-6a) in his last six games. He has 108 points in his career and needs only four more to pass Eric Baier and tie Jacob Cepis for fourth in franchise scoring.
• The Solar Bears are 10-0-0-0 when scoring first, and are the only Eastern Conference team with a 1.000 win percentage when scoring first.
• Michael Brodzinski’s next game will be his 150th with the Solar Bears. His next two points will give him 100 in his ECHL career.
• The Solar Bears are third with a power play operating at 25.8% (16-for-62).
• Chad Duchesne needs two assists for 50 in his pro career.
• Orlando is 2-1-1-0 when leading after two periods on the road.

BEARS IN THE NHL:

Several former Solar Bears have appeared on NHL rosters 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!

Former Solar Bears defenseman Eric Drapluk joined team broadcaster Jesse Liebman for last week’s episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. Drapluk, a native of Pembroke Pines, discusses his upbringing in Southeast Florida, his professional career that began with the Tulsa Oilers and ended in Orlando and how he has settled into post-retirement life.

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