Bear Bites: Week of Jan. 17, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears make their first visit to Portland since the 2018-19 season this week, as they hit the road for a three-game set against the Maine Mariners.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Friday, Jan. 21 at Maine Mariners at 7:15 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 22 at Maine Mariners at 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 23 at Maine Mariners at 3 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.

Watch the 2022 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic tonight at 7:30 p.m. on NHL Network! The format pits a team of ECHL All-Stars, featuring Orlando Solar Bears players Aaron Luchuk and Brad Barone, against the Jacksonville Icemen on their home ice at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

AT A GLANCE

SEASON RECORD: 18-13-2-0LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 2-1-1-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 6-3-1-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Michael Brodzinski – 21 pointsMOST GOALS: Luke Boka – 9MOST ASSISTS: Tristin Langan – 16 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 36 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Tyler Bird – +6

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Monday, Jan. 10 vs. South Carolina Stingrays: 2-1 WDmitry Semykin and Luke McInnis scored in a 17-second span in the first period to give Orlando the offense needed to pick up the victory.

Friday, Jan. 14 vs. Wheeling Nailers: 6-2 WDylan Fitze scored his third goal of the contest with 15 seconds left in regulation to cap a career night for the forward, who recorded the first hat trick of his pro career. Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Odeen Tufto recorded 1g-2a for his first pro points, and Lightning goaltender prospect Amir Miftakhov earned the win in his ECHL debut.

Saturday, Jan. 15 vs. Wheeling Nailers: 4-1 LHunter Fejes scored a power-play goal for the Solar Bears late in the first period, but the Nailers ended Orlando’s five-game winning streak.

Sunday, Jan. 16 vs. Wheeling Nailers: 4-3 OTLTristin Langan scored two goals in the final five minutes of regulation to pull the Solar Bears level with the Nailers, but Justin Almeida scored the overtime-winning goal for the visitors.

BITES:

• Tristin Langan (2g-4a) and Odeen Tufto (1g-5a) tied with four other players for the league lead in scoring last week with six points apiece. Tufto’s five assists were the most among any ECHL player last week.
• Dylan Fitze with two other ECHL players for the league lead in goals last week with four.
• Orlando is 13-1-0-0 when scoring first.
• Michael Brodzinski and Luke McInnis are tied with Atlanta’s Tim Davison for the lead among Eastern Conference defensemen with six goals.
• The Solar Bears are 11-1-1-0 when leading after two periods.

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:

Forward Jake Transit joined us for last week’s episode to share his hockey journey from Michigan, including playing in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, and what led to him joining the Solar Bears in the middle of the December road trip in Texas.

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