Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Reading Royals
March 1, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
WHO:Â Orlando Solar Bears vs. Reading Royals
VENUE:Â ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.
DATE:Â Thursday, March 1, 7 p.m.
WATCH: ECHL.TV
LISTEN:Â OSB Radio via Mixlr
TONIGHT:Â The Solar Bears (26-25-5-1) host the Reading Royals (31-20-4-0) in the first of two meetings this week. It is the first time in three seasons that Reading has made a trip to the City Beautiful. Orlando owns a lifetime 3-4-0-1 record against the Royals. The last game between the two clubs was a 5-2 win at Reading on Oct. 31, 2015.
PLAYOFF PICTURE:Â Orlando currently sits in third place in the South Division, one point ahead of fourth-place Atlanta (idle) and with one game in hand. As a result of Jacksonville's loss at Florida last night, the magic number for the Solar Bears has been reduced to 22 points.
MONFREDO BACK IN LINEUP:Â Veteran defenseman Mike Monfredo sat out of Monday's victory over Norfolk - the blueliner was the only Solar Bears player up to that point who had played in every game for Orlando this season. The defenseman led the Solar Bears blue line in scoring for the month of February with 10 points (3g-7a) in 12 games.
SOLAR BEARS LOOK TO TAKE WIND OUT OF WILLOWS: The Solar Bears will likely focus in on Reading forward Matt Willlows. The third-year pro leads the Royals in scoring and recently saw a 15-game point streak (9g-17a) snapped. Willows is tied for sixth in the league scoring race with 58 points (22g-36a) in 55 games.
STREAKS:
J.J. Piccinich - 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
Hunter Fejes - 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
Alex Gudbranson - 2-game point streak (1g-1a)
MILESTONES:
Adam Phillips - 1 assist from 50 career pro assists
Joshua Winquist - 1 assists 100 career pro assists
Hunter Fejes - 3 assists from 50 career pro assists
AFFILIATE NOTES:Â The Toronto Marlies (39-15-1-1) earned a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday, and host the Rochester Americans on Saturday. The Toronto Maple Leafs (39-20-6-0) fell to the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday, and return to action on Saturday at Washington.
NEXT GAME: The Solar Bears complete their season series with the Reading Royals at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Sunday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.
About the Orlando Solar Bears:
The Orlando Solar Bears are in their sixth season of operation in the ECHL, the premier "AA" hockey league in North America, and are the proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL's Toronto Marlies. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.
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ECHL Stories from March 1, 2018
- Reading's Power Play Strong in OT Loss to Solar Bears, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Americans Add Offensive Depth in Thomas Frazee - Allen Americans
- Monarchs Announce Multiple Transactions - Manchester Monarchs
- Admirals Trade Frazee to Allen for Future Considerations - Norfolk Admirals
- ECHL Transactions - March 1 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Reading Royals - Orlando Solar Bears
- Fort Wayne's Shea Is AMI Graphics/ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - ECHL
- Valleau to Return to Solar Bears, Novak Recalled to Toronto Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- Colorado Eagles Announce 2018 "Pot of Gold" Recipient - Colorado Eagles
- Colton White Returns to Adirondack - Adirondack Thunder
- Railers HC Trade for Rookie Goaltender William King - Worcester Railers HC
- Etienne Marcoux Joins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Pt O - Indy Fuel
- Royals Sign NCAA D Kyle Chatham - Reading Royals
- Gladiators to Host Gwinnett Stripers Night - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gourde Is the MeiGray Group/ECHL Alumnus of the Month - ECHL
- Royals in Orlando for First Time in Three Seasons - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Win 5-2 for Sixth-Straight Victory - Utah Grizzlies
- Everblades Clinch Playoff Berth with 6-2 Victory over IceMen - Florida Everblades
- Eagles Battle Back for 4-3 Shootout Win over Oilers - Colorado Eagles
- Oilers Extend Point Streak to Six in Shootout Loss - Tulsa Oilers
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