Bear Bites: Week of Feb. 7, 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears battle it out within the Sunshine State this week, as Orlando visits Jacksonville on Wednesday before returning home for a pair of weekend games against the Florida Everblades.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Jacksonville Icemen – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 12 vs. Florida Everblades – 7 p.m. – Scout Night and Marvel Super Hero Night
• Sunday, Feb. 13 vs. Florida Everblades 12 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: 22-16-3-0 (.573)LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 2-1-1-0RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 4-4-2-0SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS: 4th of 7

ACTIVE LEADERSTOP SCORER: Tristin Langan – 25 pointsMOST GOALS: Luke Boka – 12MOST ASSISTS: Michael Brodzinski – 18 assistsPIM LEADER: Chad Duchesne – 38 PIMPLUS-MINUS LEADER: Tyler Bird – +7

LAST WEEK’S GAMES:

Monday, Jan. 31 vs. Utah Grizzlies: 3-2 OTL

Joe Garreffa scored a pair of goals for the Solar Bears, including the tying goal with just over six minutes in regulation, but Luke Martin scored the game-winner in overtime for the Grizzlies.

Thursday, Feb. 3 vs. Florida Everblades: 4-1 L

Odeen Tufto scored Orlando’s lone goal on the Solar Bears’ first shot of the game, but Florida goaltender Parker Gahagen stopped the next 42 shots he faced as Orlando dropped the opening match of the week’s three-game set with the Everblades.

Friday, Feb. 4 vs. Florida Everblades: 4-2 W

Fabrizio Ricci scored 33 seconds into the game, but the Everblades scored a pair of goals in the first period to put Orlando in a 2-1 hole. The Solar Bears responded with a three-goal run, and Steven Oleksy netted the eventual game-winner in the second period for his first with the Solar Bears.

Saturday, Feb. 5 at Florida Everblades: 3-2 W

Trailing 1-0 after the third period, Luke Boka deflected Luke McInnis’ point shot less than a minute into the third period to get Orlando on the board, and Tye Felhaber and Tyler Bird scored to help put the Solar Bears ahead for good, allowing the Solar Bears to take the lead in the regular season series.

BITES:

• Orlando is tied 3-3-0-0 with Jacksonville in the regular season series; the home team has won each game so far this season.
• The Solar Bears lead their series with the Everblades with a 4-3-0-0 record.
• Fabrizio Ricci (1g-3a), Joe Garreffa (2g-2a), Luke Boka (2g-2a) and Tye Felhaber (2g-2a) tied for the team lead in scoring for last week.
• The Solar Bears are 18-5-2-0 when scoring in the first period; Orlando is also 10-2-1-0 when not surrendering a first-period goal.
• Orlando is 10-1-2-0 when Luke McInnis records at least a point.
• Brad Barone has started the last six consecutive games for Orlando, and ranks second in the ECHL in minutes played (1,465) and saves (773), along with third in wins (15) and save percentage (.927)
• Michael Brodzinski is three points away from 100 in his Solar Bears career.
• The Solar Bears are 7-0-1-0 when Tristin Langan records a multi-point game; Langan needs only four goals to pass Eric Faille (51) and Joe Perry (53) for the most regular season goals in franchise history.
• Orlando is 8-2-1-0 when Luke Boka scores a goal.
• The Solar Bears are 14-1-1-0 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:

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by defenseman Adam Phillips, who skated with the Solar Bears during the 2017-18 season. After hanging up his skates, Phillips entered the coaching world, first as an assistant and later interim head coach for the NAHL’s Odessa Jackalopes, to his present role as the assistant coach for the No. 1-ranked Adrian College Bulldogs program that has won 22 straight games! Phillips discusses his time in Orlando, and some of the lessons from his time with the Solar Bears that he has brought with him to coaching in college hockey.

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