Bear Bites: Week of Feb. 28, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears begin a stretch of five games in six days when they host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday, March 1 for their 10:30 a.m. School Day Game, before heading out on the road for games against the Jacksonville Icemen and South Carolina Stingrays.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Tuesday, March 1 vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – 10:30 a.m. – School Day Game
• Wednesday, March 2 at Jacksonville Icemen – 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 4 at South Carolina Stingrays – 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 5 at South Carolina Stingrays – 6:05 p.m.
• Sunday, March 6 at Jacksonville Icemen – 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.

AT A GLANCE

SEASON RECORD: 25-21-3-0 (.541)LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 0-2-0-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-5-0-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERS

TOP SCORER: Tristin Langan – 30 pointsMOST GOALS: Tyler Bird – 13MOST ASSISTS: Michael Brodzinski & Tristin Langan – 21 assistsPIM LEADER: Luke McInnis – 45 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Tyler Bird – +10LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Florida Everblades: 6-0 L

The Solar Bears put 26 shots on the Florida net, but Parker Gahagen stopped all shots and Orlando saw its season series with the Everblades even up.

Sunday, Feb. 27 vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 5-0 L

The Solar Bears returned home only to be shut out once again, as Evan Fitzpatrick made 32 saves for Greenville. Former Lightning draft pick Ty Taylor made his professional debut in relief of Brad Barone, stopping eight of nine shots.

BITES:

• The Solar Bears are 1-2-0-0 against Greenville.
• Orlando is 4-4-0-0 against Jacksonville.
• The Solar Bears are 3-1-0-0 against South Carolina.
• Odeen Tufto led the Solar Bears in the month of February with nine points (4g-5a) in 11 games.
• Tristin Langan needs one more point (50g-80a) to pass Eric Faille (130 points) for first in franchise regular season scoring.
• Orlando is 5-0-0-0 when Michael Brodzinski has a multi-point game.
• The Solar Bears are 18-2-1-0 when scoring first.
• Brad Barone is tied for first with 18 wins and is third with a .922 save percentage.

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're joined by Orlando Solar Bears defenseman Steven Oleksy. The former NHL blueliner discusses his time at the major league level, how he got his start in pro hockey after college, what he did with his day with the Stanley Cup, and his entrepreneurial spirit.

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