ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Game Preview: Solar Bears at Gwinnett Gladiators - February 1

Published on February 1, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


Who: Orlando Solar Bears (Minnesota Wild/Toronto Maple Leafs)

(22-15-1-2, 47pts) vs.

Gwinnett Gladiators (Phoenix Coyotes)

(16-24-1-2, 35pts)

Where: Arena at Gwinnett Center - Duluth, GA

When: 7:05 p.m.

Listen Live: iHeartSolarBears.com, 740thegame.com, iheart.com/live/601/ - Pregame starts at 6:45 p.m.

Watch Live: America One

Follow: Game Updates on Twitter at @OSBHockeyGU

Social Media: Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Matchup:

The Solar Bears and Gladiators come together for the second time in three games, with the Solar Bears looking for redemption after a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Gwinnett on Thursday night. Orlando is coming off a 4-2 loss to the top team in the ECHL, the South Carolina Stingrays, last night. Forwards Mike Duco and Jacob Cepis each scored in the first period as Orlando took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Stingrays answered back with three goals of their own in the middle frame and added the game's final tally with a shade over five minutes left in the third to earn the 4-2 victory. The Gladiators have been inactive since Thurday's battle against the Solar Bears, in which Gwinnett earned their first regulation victory over Orlando this season. Despite Thursday's loss, the Solar Bears have put together a stellar record against Gwinnett this season, going 5-1-0-2 in eight games against the Gladiators.

Solar Bears Notes:

The Solar Bears finished January with a 6-3-1-1 record, their second-best month of the year. Their most successful month so far was November, in which the Solar Bears earned a 10-3-0-0 record... G Cody Reichard made his Solar Bears debut yesterday... Orlando has allowed two or fewer power plays against for six straight games. They have not allowed a power play goal since a Jan. 17 shootout win over Florida, and have given up just two power play goals in the last 29 chances against. Their penalty kill currently ranks fourth in the league at 87.8 percent... Tonight's game will be the fourth time this season that the Solar Bears have participated in a Teddy Bear Toss (Dec. 7 vs. South Carolina, Dec. 13 at Greenville, Dec. 14 at South Carolina)... F Zach Harrison leads the team with 12 goals, 18 assists, and 30 points... F Mike Ullrich, F Tyler Murovich, F Josh Caron, F Mickey Lang, and G John Curry remain in the AHL with the Iowa Wild... G Garret Sparks remains in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies... F Trevor Gillies remains in the AHL with Abbotsford Heat.

Cameron Abney Assigned to Orlando:

The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that F Cameron Abney has been assigned to the Solar Bears from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Abney was drafted in the third round, #82 overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Abney (6-5, 215 lbs.) joins the Solar Bears after playing in 24 games for the Bakersfield Condors this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists for five points along with 64 PIM and a +4 rating. Last season, he played 36 games for the Stockton Thunder earning eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) and 58 PIM. He also appeared in four games for the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL), picking up 14 PIM. Abney joined the professional ranks during the 2011-12 season, playing in 14 games for Oklahoma City and recording 132 PIM in 29 games with the Stockton Thunder.

Prior to going pro, the native of Aldergroove, BC, played three full seasons in the WHL for the Everett Silvertips and Edmonton Oil Kings accumulating a total of 298 PIM, 14 goals, 23 assists, and 37 points in 180 games.

Solar Bears on Local 6:

The Orlando Solar Bears return to the Local 6-WKMG airwaves on Saturday, February 15, as they battle the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:00 p.m. The broadcast team remains unchanged, with Solar Bears play-by-play announcer Bob Mills and Local 6 Sports Director Dave Pingalore in the booth. Sam Piotrowski continues with rink side reports and interviews during the game. Local 6 sports anchor Jamie Seh will host special intermission segments during the contest.

Orlando will air a third game on Local 6 at a date still to be determined.

Gladiators Notes:

F Josh Currie is tied for 13th among rookies with 23 points. He leads the Gladiators with four goals against the Solar Bears... F Marshall Everson is third among rookies with a 22.0 shooting percentage... D Rob Kwiet is tied for 11th among defensemen with 20 points... The Gladiators rank second in the ECHL on the penalty kill at home at 89.9 percent (71-for-79)... F Evan Bloodoff leads the Gladiators with 14 goals and 24 points... D Rob Kwiet leads the Gladiators with 15 assists... Gwinnett is 13th on the power play at 14.4% (23-for-160) and 5th on the penalty kill at 87.2% (143-for-164).

Check out the Orlando Solar Bears Statistics

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