Bear Bites: Week of Jan. 10, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – After an eight-day stretch with no games, the Orlando Solar Bears get back to work with a busy week of four games, starting tonight as they host the South Carolina Stingrays at 7 p.m. at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center. The Solar Bears then welcome the Wheeling Nailers to town for a three-in-three set beginning Friday, Jan. 14.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Monday, Jan. 10 vs. South Carolina Stingrays
• Friday, Jan. 14 vs. Wheeling Nailers – Hockey is for Everyone
• Saturday, Jan. 15 vs. Wheeling Nailers – Celebrity Classic / Cosplay Night
• Sunday, Jan. 16 vs. Wheeling Nailers – VyStar Credit Union Sunday

Sunday’s game is a VyStar Credit Union Solar Bears Sunday – The first 100 VyStar members who present their VyStar debit/credit card at the Amway Center box office can score a free pair of tickets to the game. Once all 100 pairs are claimed, VyStar members cans till take advantage of a buy-one, get-one ticket offer. Visit vystarcu.org/solarbears for more info.

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: 16-12-1-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-0-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-5-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERS

TOP SCORER: Michael Brodzinski – 18 pointsMOST GOALS: Luke Boka – 9MOST ASSISTS: Michael Brodzinski – 13 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 29 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Jake Transit – +7 

BITES:

• Hunter Fejes enters the week with seven points (5g-2a) in his last three games, and took home, Inglasco/ECHL Player of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 27.
• Orlando is tied for third with seven shorthanded goals scored.
• Brad Barone is second in the ECHL with a .934 save percentage and tied for fourth with 10 wins.
• Orlando is 12-1-0-0 when scoring first.
• Luke McInnis and Michael Brodzinski are tied for second among Eastern Conference defensemen in goals with five.
• The Solar Bears are 10-1-1-0 when leading after two periods.
• Luke Boka is one of two ECHL rookies with two overtime-winning goals.

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

BEAR TRACKS PRESENTED BY PINK WHITNEY BY NEW AMSTERDAM VODKA:

Defenseman Andrew McLean joined us for last week’s episode to share his hockey journey from Michigan, along with his love of metal, his pre-game workout routine, and his love of skateboarding.

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