Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades
February 21, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
WHO:Â Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades
VENUE:Â ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.
DATE:Â Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
WATCH: ECHL.TV
LISTEN:Â ESPN 580 AM
TONIGHT:Â The Solar Bears (23-24-5-1) resume their 14-game Wawa Sunshine Cup Series against the Florida Everblades (35-11-1-4). Orlando has posted a 2-5-2-0 record against Florida this season; five of Orlando's remaining 19 games are against the Everblades.
PLAYOFF PICTURE:Â Orlando sits in fourth place in the South Division, four points ahead of fifth-place Norfolk, with one game in hand. Orlando is also five points back of third-place Atlanta, with three games in hand on the Gladiators.
SOLAR BEARS TO RIDE HOT HAND IN GOAL:Â Goaltender Mackenzie Skapski will have an opportunity to follow up Saturday's 32-save performance against Worcester with another start tonight against Florida. Skapski has been the man in net for both of Orlando's victories against the Everblades this season, and has posted a 2-2-0 record with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in the month of February.
FLORIDA LOADS UP:Â Since the last meeting between these teams two weeks ago, the Everblades have seen several players returned to the club. 40-point scorer Michael Kirkpatrick has rejoined the team after a brief stint in Cleveland of the AHL, while forward Spencer Smallman and goaltender Callum Booth have been reassigned to the team from the Charlotte Checkers.
WINQUIST LEADS SOLAR BEARS: The Solar Bears are paced in the regular season series against Florida by Joshua Winquist. The forward has accumulated 10 points (4g-6a) in seven games
MILESTONES:
Chris Crane - 1 point from 150 career ECHL points (73g-76a)
Alex Gudbranson - 1 point from 50 career pro points (12g-37a)
Adam Phillips - 1 assist from 50 career pro assists
AFFILIATE NOTES:Â The Toronto Marlies (38-14-0-1) dropped a late-morning clash with the Binghamton Devils, and will look to get back in the win column on Friday at Rochester. The Toronto Maple Leafs (37-20-5-0) blanked the Florida Panthers 1-0 on Tuesday and resume play against the New York Islanders on Thursday.
NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears hit the road for a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game against the Florida Everblades on Friday, Feb. 23 at Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.
ECHL Stories from February 21, 2018
- Colorado Claims Goaltending Duel in 2-1 Shootout Win - Colorado Eagles
- Solar Bears Blanked by Ouellette, Everblades - Orlando Solar Bears
- Thunder Earn Point But Fall 4-3 in Shootout - Adirondack Thunder
- Turcs and Tommy Lead Railers to 4-3 Shootout Road Win in Adirondack - Worcester Railers HC
- Irving's Four Goals Pace Wings' Improbable Comeback Win - Kalamazoo Wings
- Irving Leads Shocking Comeback for K-Wings - Wheeling Nailers
- Ouellette Outstanding as 'Blades Clinch Wawa Sunshine Cup - Florida Everblades
- Game Day Storylines - at Rapid City - Idaho Steelheads
- Hanna Reassigned to Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- IceMen to Fundraise for Stoneman Douglas Victims' Fund - Jacksonville Icemen
- Watson Called-Up to AHL's San Jose Barracuda - Colorado Eagles
- ECHL Transactions - February 21 - ECHL
- Thunder Make Roster Moves - Adirondack Thunder
- Mavericks Plan to Honor Tom Wagstaff, Bob Klem this Weekend - Kansas City Mavericks
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades - Orlando Solar Bears
- Nailers Add Three Players Prior to Tilt in Kalamazoo - Wheeling Nailers
- Gameday - Adirondack (29-20-2-2) at Worcester (22-21-4-3) - Adirondack Thunder
- Nailers at Wings Game Day Snap Shot, February 21 - Wheeling Nailers
- Fuel Receive Forward Logan Nelson in Trade with Komets - Indy Fuel
- Komets Deal Nelson to Indy for Defenseman Cortese - Fort Wayne Komets
- Gudbranson Reassigned to Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Federico Sinks Admirals with Late Goal - South Carolina Stingrays
- Winning Streak Stopped by Eagles - Wichita Thunder
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