ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Gwinnett Gladiators

February 15, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


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

(27-16-1-2, 57pts, 2nd, Eastern Conference) vs.

Gwinnett Gladiators (Phoenix Coyotes)

(18-27-12, 39pts, 12th, Eastern Conference)

Where: Amway Center - Orlando, FL

When: 7:00 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:

Orlando closes out their five game home stand, looking for their 10th straight home ice victory, dating back to a 6-5 win over the Utah Grizzlies on January 3. They continued the streak last night with a 4-2 decision over the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Solar Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, starting when F Tyler Murovich deflected a shot from D Bryce Aneloski at 7:14. Aneloski then notched one of his own when he took a feed from F Taylor Matson and blasted a shot into the back of the net. Gwinnett cut the lead in half at the midway point of the second period with a blast from the neutral zone, but Orlando answered right back on the power play when F Jacob Cepis dialed up a one-timer from the right circle. Before the end of the period the Gladiators tallied once more as Orlando led 3-2 after two. The lone third period goal came off the stick of Matson late in the third period when he rushed up the right wing and fired a shot that bounced off the pads of G Mathieu Corbeil and into the net to secure the 4-2 win for the Solar Bears.

Large Crowd Expected for Tonight's Game:

The Orlando Solar Bears are expecting a large crowd for tonight's 7:00 p.m. contest and recommend that fans arrive early.

Solar Bears Notes:

Orlando is 9-0-1 in their last 10 home games, setting a new record for their longest unbeaten-in-regulation streak on home ice. They have also won nine straight games at home... F Mickey Lang is on a six game point streak (7 goals, 4 assists) and leads the ECHL with 27 goals this season... D Blake Kessel is on a six game point streak (2 goals, 5 assists) and is tied for seventh among ECHL defensemen with 27 points... Orlando is 18-3-1 when leading or tied after two periods at home... The Solar Bears are fourth in the league on the penalty kill at 87.3% (151-for-173)... F Mickey Lang leads the Solar Bears with 27 goals and 44 points... D Blake Kessel leads the team with 21 assists... F Mike Ullrich, F Josh Caron, and G John Curry remain in the AHL with the Iowa Wild... G Garret Sparks, F Kory Nagy, F Mike Duco, and D Zachary Yuen remain in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies... F Trevor Gillies remains in the AHL with Abbotsford Heat... G Tyler Beskorowany remains in the AHL with St. John's IceCaps.

Bobble Head Giveaway Tonight:

The Solar Bears are continuing Faith and Family Weekend tonight at 7:00 p.m. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive Shades Bobbleheads, courtesy of Walgreens. Also, C7 will perform live during the first intermission. The Solar Bears and the Christian Service Center are holding a food drive prior to the game tonight, and fans are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item as they enter the building. To get tickets, visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com/faith

Marcel Dionne, Mike Ramsey, and Dave Christian to play in BE GREAT! Classic:

Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears announced yesterday that Hall of Fame forward Marcel Dionne and 1980 Gold Medal Winning Olympians Mike Ramsey and Dave Christian will play in the annual "BE GREAT! Classic for Kids" on Saturday, March 29, at the Amway Center. Dionne is fifth All-Time in the NHL with 1,771 points and was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 1992. Both Ramsey and Christian helped the United States Men's Hockey Team capture a Gold Medal at the 1980 Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York - "The Miracle on Ice". Local hockey players will have the opportunity to purchase a roster spot to skate alongside Dionne, Ramsey and Christian and the net proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. For more information, call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200.

Solar Bears on Local 6:

The Orlando Solar Bears return to the Local 6-WKMG airwaves tonight 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 Marshall Everson is third in the ECHL with a 24.0% shooting percentage (12 goals on 50 shots)... Gwinnett is the fourth-least penalized team in the ECHL with 12.71 PIM per game... D Rob Kwiet is tied for 14th among defensemen with 22 points... F Maxime Legault leads the Gladiators against the Solar Bears with nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 11 games... The Gladiators are 13-0-0 when leading after two periods... The Gladiators are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games... F Evan Bloodoff leads the Gladiators with 16 goals and 26 points... D Rob Kwiet leads the Gladiators with 17 assists... Gwinnett is 16th on the power play at 13.7% (25-for-186) and 6th on the penalty kill at 86.0% (154-for-179).

Check out the Orlando Solar Bears Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 15, 2014


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