Bear Bites: Week of Feb. 21, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears take the ice for a pair of games this week, first visiting the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, before returning home to take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for the first time on home ice this season on Sunday.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Florida Everblades – 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 27 vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 3 p.m. – VyStar Solar Bears 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: 24-17-3-0 (.580)LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 2-1-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-4-1-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERS

TOP SCORER: Tristin Langan – 28 pointsMOST GOALS: Tyler Bird & Luke Boka – 12MOST ASSISTS: Michael Brodzinski & Tristin Langan – 20 assistsPIM LEADER: Luke McInnis – 39 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Tyler Bird – +11

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Jacksonville Icemen: 5-2 W

Tye Felhaber recorded two goals and an assist to match his career-high with three points, and the Solar Bears scored twice with the man advantage to earn their first road win against Jacksonville this season.

Saturday, Feb. 12 vs. Florida Everblades: 2-1 L

Tyler Bird scored the lone goal for Orlando as their three-game win streak was snapped, and Florida leveled the regular season series at 4-4-0-0.

Sunday, Feb. 13 vs. Florida Everblades: 5-4 OTW

Trailing 3-1 in the second period, the Solar Bears reeled off three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead by the early stages of the third period, with Odeen Tufto and Hunter Fejes each collected a pair of goals on the afternoon. After the Everblades scored with the goaltender pulled late in regulation, Tyler Bird scored for the second straight game to lift Orlando to victory in overtime.

BITES:

• Orlando leads Florida 5-4-0-0 in the regular season series with six games remaining.
• The Solar Bears are tied 1-1-0-0 with Greenville in the regular season series with five games remaining.
• Odeen Tufto leads the Solar Bears in the month of February with nine points (4g-5a) in nine games.
• Should Brad Barone start Wednesday’s game at Florida, he will establish a new club record for most consecutive starts with 13; the goaltender has gone 6-5-1 since Jan. 23 at Maine with a 2.47 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and one shutout; his next win will tie him with Cal Heeter (19) for fifth-most in franchise history.
• Tyler Bird has six points (4g-2a) in his last seven games.
• The Solar Bears are 10-3-1-0 when Luke Boka records at least a point.
• Orlando is 19-5-2-0 when scoring a goal in the first period; Orlando is also 12-2-1-0 when not allowing a first-period goal.
• Fabrizio Ricci has seven points (2g-5a) in his last 11 games.
• Joe Garreffa has eight points (3g-5a) in his last 10 games.

FORMER SOLAR BEARS FORWARD MASON MARCHMENT RECORDS FIRST NHL HAT TRICK:

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

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. 

BEAR TRACKS PRESENTED BY PINK WHITNEY BY NEW AMSTERDAM VODKA:

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we catch up with Chris Crane, who joined the Solar Bears early the 2016-17 season and helped the team qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in both seasons in Orlando. After retiring following the 2019-20 season, Crane has settled into civilian life, where he works for the United States defense department alongside the United States Air Force, continuing in his family's long tradition of involvement with the armed forces.

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