Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears at Florida Everblades
March 17, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL) - Orlando Solar Bears News Release
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Orlando sits in third place in the South Division, with a six-point cushion on fourth-place Atlanta (at home vs. Jacksonville) with the same number of games played. The magic number for the Solar Bears to earn a spot in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs currently sits at seven points, and could drop with any points earned by Orlando tonight.
NOVAK PROVIDING OFFENSE: Max Novak's power-play goal in the third period gave Orlando's forward his third goal of the season series against Florida, and his ninth point overall against the Everblades. Novak and J.J. Piccinich are tied for second in team scoring against Florida; injured forward Joshua Winquist leads Orlando with 11 points (5g-6a) in nine games.
HEETER GETS ONE FINAL CRACK AT FLORIDA: After a stellar 39-save effort in Thursday's 2-1 OT loss to the Everblades, Cal Heeter will get the final start against Florida this season. The goalie's save percentage has improved with each passing month, and March is no exception - in four appearances this month, Heeter has posted a save percentage of .930.
KERBASHIAN LOOKING FOR FIRST AGAINST FLORIDA: Veteran forward Kale Kerbashian has been one of Orlando's most productive skaters in the month of March, leading the team with four goals through six games. Kerbashian is also averaging 4.17 shots per game.
MILESTONES:
Max Novak - 1 assist from 50 career pro assists
Eric Baier - 1 assist to tie Eric Faille and Denver Manderson for franchise record for assists (79)
Joe Perry - 3 goals from 50 with Solar Bears
AFFILIATE NOTES: The Toronto Marlies (44-16-1-1) earned a fifth consecutive win on Friday at Belleville with a 3-1 victory over the Senators; the Marlies will look to push their streak to six games tomorrow at home against the Utica Comets. The Toronto Maple Leafs (42-22-6-1) picked up a 5-2 win in Buffalo on Thursday, and square off against the Montreal tonight.
NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears return home to face the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday, March 21 at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.
WHO: Orlando Solar Bears at Florida Everblades
VENUE: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.
DATE: Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m.
WATCH: ECHL.TV
LISTEN: ESPN Orlando (580 AM)
TONIGHT: The Solar Bears (30-27-6-1) close out the 14-game Wawa Sunshine Cup Series against the Florida Everblades (43-12-2-4).
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ECHL Stories from March 17, 2018
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