Bear Bites: Week of Dec. 27, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears close out 2021 when they face the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, then host the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday, before opening 2022 on Saturday at Greenville.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 31 vs. South Carolina Stingrays at 12 p.m. – New Bear’s Eve
• Saturday, Jan. 1 at Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:05 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.

AT A GLANCE

SEASON RECORD: 13-12-1-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-2-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 4-6-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk – 27 pointsMOST GOALS: Aaron Luchuk – 12 goalsMOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk – 15 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 29 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Jake Transit – +3

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Tuesday, Dec. 21 vs. Atlanta Gladiators: 5-3 LLuke Boka scored less than three minutes into the game to ignite a franchise-record teddy bear toss that saw 8,728 teddy bears and stuffed animals thrown to the ice and collected for children and families in need throughout Central Florida. The Gladiators reeled off four straight goals to build a 4-1 lead and held off a two-goal comeback attempt by the Solar Bears to secure the 5-3 final score.

Sunday, Dec. 26 vs. Florida Everblades: 5-0 LTomas Vomacka stopped all 25 shots he faced for Florida as Orlando dropped its second game of the week.

BITES:

• Aaron Luchuk is tied for seventh in ECHL scoring with 27 points.
• Orlando is fourth in road power-play percentage at 24.3% (9-for-37).
• Brad Barone is first in the ECHL with a .937 save percentage.
• Orlando is tied for fifth in shorthanded goals with five.
• Luke Boka is fourth in rookie shooting percentage at 21.2% (7-for-33).
• The Solar Bears are 8-2-0-0 when tied after the first period, with the most wins of any Eastern Conference team.
• Michael Brodzinski is tied for third among ECHL defensemen with 66 shots on goal.

Fans, students, parents and teachers can visit OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com/teacher to nominate a Teacher of the Month. One teacher will be selected each month from November through February during the 2021-22 season and will receive a $100 Pizza Hut gift card, along with in-game recognition and a suite at a Solar Bears home game. 

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

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