Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update
April 15, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears earned a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season, picking up a 1-0 victory over Reading. Orlando finished with 38 wins, the most since the 2018-19 season (41), and now will face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the South Division Semifinals opening on Sunday afternoon.
#1 Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. #4 Orlando Solar Bears:
Game 1 - Sunday, April 21 at 3:05 p.m. - Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Game 2 - Monday. April 22 at 7:05 p.m. - Bon Secours Wellness Arena
NOTE: Games 3-5* at Kia Center in Orlando are to be announced pending the release of the NBA first round playoff schedule.
*Game 6 - Tuesday, April 30 at 7:05 p.m. - Bon Secours Wellness Arena
*Game 7 - Wednesday, May 1 at 7:05 p.m. - Bon Secours Wellness Arena
* if necessary
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:
2023-24 SEASON RECORD: 38-24-7-3 (.597)
LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 1-0-0-1
RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 6-2-1-1
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLACE: 6th of 14
2023-24 SEASON LEADERS:
TOP SCORER: Brayden Low, Aaron Luchuk - 49 points
MOST GOALS: Brayden Low - 23 goals
MOST ASSISTS: Ben Carroll - 30 assists
PIM LEADER: Kelly Bent - 174 PIM
PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Jimmy Mazza - +18
LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
Friday, April 12 at Reading: 2-3 OTL
The Orlando Solar Bears kept their playoff hopes alive Friday night by earning one point in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Reading Royals. Brayden Low and Jesse Jacques erased a two-goal, third period deficit, but Reading earned the extra point with an overtime goal.
Saturday, April 13 at Reading: 1-0 W
The Solar Bears clinched a spot in the South Division Playoffs by winning in regulation 1-0 over the Reading Royals. With South Carolina leading Florida late in the third period, the Solar Bears elected to pull Evan Fitzpatrick for an extra attacker to try and win the game. Alex Frye soared past the Reading defense and scored with just 27 seconds to go in the third period.
Auction closes at 5:00 p.m. today!
PLAYOFF BITES:
Darik Angeli is the only player on the Solar Bears to win a Kelly Cup Championship (2022 - Florida). He is also the only player to have previous playoff experience in a Solar Bears uniform (7 games - 2017)
Solar Bears have a total of 91 games of playoff experience at the ECHL level or higher. (Individual high - Angeli, 39 games)
Head Coach Matt Carkner appeared in 14 NHL playoff games during his playing career (10, OTT - 4, NYI)
Solar Bears earned 38 wins during the 2023-24 regular season, the most since the 2018-19 season (41).
The Solar Bears, Syracuse Crunch, and Tampa Bay Lightning have all made the playoffs in the same season for the first time since 2019.
BEARS IN THE NHL:
Several former Solar Bears currently occupy spots on NHL rosters for the 2023-24 season - here we will track their progress:
Connor Ingram - Goaltender - Arizona Coyotes - 49 GP, 22-21-3, .906%
Darcy Kuemper - Goaltender - Washington Capitals - 33 GP, 13-14-3, .890%
Mason Marchment - Forward - Dallas Stars - 80 GP, 21g-31a
Ryan Reaves - Forward - Toronto Maple Leafs - 47 GP, 3g-2a
Spencer Martin - Goaltender - Carolina Hurricanes - 5 GP, 4-0-1, .922%
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ECHL Stories from April 15, 2024
- Mavericks Announce 2024 Playoff Roster - Kansas City Mavericks
- Steelheads Announce Roster for 2024 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs - Idaho Steelheads
- Thunder Announce 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff Roster - Adirondack Thunder
- Maine Mariners Reveal Playoff Roster, Schedule - Maine Mariners
- K-Wings Tap Wolverine, Sign Rookie Defenseman Steve Holtz - Kalamazoo Wings
- Quinn Olson Joins Swamp Rabbits - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update - Orlando Solar Bears
- Komets Break Franchise Attendance Record; Team Sets New Record with 8,157 Fans Per Home Game - Fort Wayne Komets
- Mavericks Extend Affiliation with Seattle Kraken and Coachella Valley Firebirds - Kansas City Mavericks
- Austin Magera Wins 2023-24 ECHL Rookie of the Year - South Carolina Stingrays
- South Carolina's Magera Receives John A. Daley Memorial Trophy as ECHL Rookie of the Year - ECHL
- Steelheads Announce First-Round Schedule for ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs - Idaho Steelheads
- Adirondack's Hirano Named Inglasco/ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Americans Open the Playoffs Next Monday on the Road - Allen Americans
- Stingrays Weekly Report- April 15 - South Carolina Stingrays
- K-Wings Weekly: Kalamazoo Clinches Playoff Berth, Takes Points in Three Straight - Kalamazoo Wings
- Zachary Emond Selected as the ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Worcester Railers Weekly Update - Week 26 - Worcester Railers HC
- Trois-Rivières' Émond Named Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Riley Brace Becomes 68th Former Nailer to Reach NHL - Wheeling Nailers
- Lions Remain Alive in Playoff Hunt - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Lions Punch Their Ticket to the Playoffs - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Walleye Weekly No. 26: April 15, 2024 - Toledo Walleye
- Join the Royals Youth Hockey in House Summer League Beginning in June - Reading Royals
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