Bear Bites: Week of Jan. 3, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears get to enjoy a rare week off of games this week, following a 3-0-0 sweep of their games to close out 2021 and ring in the New Year.

The Solar Bears play their next game when they host the South Carolina Stingrays on Monday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.

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: 3-0-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-5-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 3rd of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Tristin Langan – 14 pointsMOST GOALS: Luke Boka – 9MOST ASSISTS: Tristin Langan – 12 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 29 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Jake Transit – +7

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Florida Everblades: 4-3 WHunter Fejes scored two shorthanded goals while Braydon Barker and Owen Robinson also found the back of the net, and Orlando snapped a two-game losing streak and extended their road win streak to three games.

Friday, Dec. 31 vs. South Carolina Stingrays: 5-4 OTWThe Solar Bears closed out 2021 with a comeback victory as they hosted South Carolina for the first time this season. Luke McInnis and Luke Boka scored in the third period to tie the game after trailing 4-2, and Boka netted his second OT-winning goal of the season to lift Orlando.

Saturday, Jan. 1 at Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 3-2 WHunter Fejes scored twice and Brad Barone made 39 saves to give Orlando its fourth straight road victory.

BITES:

• The Solar Bears enter the week with a four-game road winning streak and have won their last three games.
• Hunter Fejes recorded seven points (5g-2a) in three games last week, including one power-play tally, two shorthanded goals and two game-winners.
• Orlando is 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 Boka is tied for first among ECHL rookies with three game-winning goals.
• The Solar Bears are 10-1-1-0 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:

We catch up with Nick Niedert, who served as a backup goaltender for the Solar Bears during the 2012-13 season, one of dozens of stops in a minor league career that stretched over an improbable 17 seasons. Niedert talks about his journey, along with his latest career as the head coach of an expansion club in the SPHL:

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