Bear Bites
February 15, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
Orlando Solar Bears goaltender Michael Lackey and defenseman Mark Auk vs. the Greenville Swamp Rabbits
(Orlando Solar Bears)
ORLANDO, Fla. - After winning their last two games in Greenville, the Orlando Solar Bears conclude their season-high seven-game road trip this week with a pair of games in Estero, before returning home on Saturday to face the Florida Everblades at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19 at Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Florida Everblades at 7 p.m.
Purchase tickets for Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Florida Everblades
Purchase tickets for Friday, Feb. 26 vs. Jacksonville Icemen
Purchase tickets for Friday, March 5 vs. Florida Everblades
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SEASON RECORD: 11-8-1-0 (.575)
LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 2-1-0-0
RECORD IN LAST 10 GAMES: 5-4-1-0
EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS: 3rd of 7
ACTIVE LEADERS:
TOP SCORER: Aaron Luchuk - 15 points
MOST GOALS: Jake Coughler - 6 goals
MOST ASSISTS: Aaron Luchuk - 11 assists
PIM LEADER: Matthew Spencer and Devante Stephens - 16 PIM
PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Devante Stephens - +7
LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
Thursday, Feb. 11 at Greenville: 8-2 L
Mark Auk and Devante Stephens scored, but the Solar Bears suffered their largest loss of the season against Greenville.
Saturday, Feb. 13 at Greenville: 5-0 W
Orlando responded to Thursday's loss with its first shutout victory of the season, as Michael Lackey recorded 19 saves for his first pro shutout. Nolan Valleau recorded two points in just his second game back with the Solar Bears, including the game-winner.
Sunday, Feb. 14 at Greenville: 4-1 W
Lackey followed up his performance the night before with a 37-save effort as Tyler Bird and Jake Coughler each scored for the second straight game, and Nikita Pavlychev tallied the game-winner for Orlando as the Solar Bears moved up to third place in the Eastern Conference.
BEARS IN THE NHL:
Several former Solar Bears occupy spots on NHL rosters or taxi squads during the 2020-21 season - here we will track their progress:
Christopher Gibson* - Goaltender - Tampa Bay Lightning
Kasimir Kaskisuo* - Goaltender - Nashville Predators
Darcy Kuemper - Goaltender - Arizona Coyotes - 11 GP, 4-6-1, .913 Sv%
Mason Marchment - Forward - Florida Panthers - 1 GP, 0g-0a
Spencer Martin* - Goaltender - Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Reaves - Forward - Vegas Golden Knights - 13 GP, 0g-1a
Zachary Fucale* - Goaltender - Washington Capitals
*Indicates on taxi squad
BITES:
Orlando enters the week 8-0-0-0 when scoring first, and 7-0-0-0 when leading after two periods
Tristin Langan needs two points for 50 in his Solar Bears career (16g-32a)
The Solar Bears are 5-0-0-0 in Friday games this season
Johno May enters the week with a three-game point streak (1g-2a)
Jake Coughler and Tyler Bird each enter the week with a two-game goal-scoring streak (2g)
Aaron Luchuk needs four more points for 100 in his pro career (37g-59a); he also needs only three more games with Orlando for 100 career ECHL games
Orlando is sixth in the ECHL averaging 2.90 goals scored per game; the Solar Bears are 11-1-1-0 when scoring three or more goals
Michael Lackey went 2-1-0 last week with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage
Orlando is the least-penalized team in the Eastern Conference, averaging only 12 penalty minutes per game
Alexander Kuqali, Tristin Langan, and Aaron Luchuk are the only players to have played in every single game for Orlando this season
BEAR TRACKS:
Ben Simon was part of the Solar Bears Turner Cup championship squad in 2001, and following his playing career he became a coach. Today he is the bench boss of the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, and he joined Solar Bears broadcaster Jesse Liebman on the latest episode of Bear Tracks to discuss both eras of his hockey life.
Images from this story
 Orlando Solar Bears goaltender Michael Lackey and defenseman Mark Auk vs. the Greenville Swamp Rabbits |
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