ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Reading Royals - April 12

Published on April 12, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


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

(42-24-2-2, 88pts, t-4th, Eastern Conference) vs.

Reading Royals (Washington Capitals)

(45-22-2-2, 94pts, 1st, 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:Local 6 - WKMG, America One

Follow: Game Updates on Twitter at @OSBHockeyGU

Social Media: Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Matchup:

The Solar Bears welcome the Reading Royals to the Amway Center tonight for the first time this season, with Orlando looking to continue their winning ways on home ice. On Thursday night, the Solar Bears stretched their home winning streak to three straight games with a 3-2 comeback win over the Greenville Road Warriors. After surrendering two goals to start the contest, F Jacob Cepis finished off a pass from F Mickey Lang to cut the Road Warriors lead in half going into the middle period. D Connor Goggin then notched the lone goal of the second with a wrist shot from the left circle, and Cepis found his second goal of the game when he skated out from behind the net and snapped the puck into the top corner in the third to grant the Solar Bears the 3-2 win. G Maxime Clermont stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced in the game. The Reading Royals have clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but stumbled on the road against the Florida Everblades last night. F Jesse Todd put the Royals on the board at 9:18 of the first, but Florida answered back with the next three goals, one in the first and two in the second, to grab a 3-1 advantage. Reading cut the lead to 3-2 with less than two minutes to play in the the second period, but could not find the equalizer in the third. The Solar Bears have faced the Royals just one time this season, falling to Reading on the road on April 2.

Solar Bears on Local 6 Tonight:

The Orlando Solar Bears return to the Local 6-WKMG airwaves tonight against the Reading Royals 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.

Solar Bears Notes:

The Solar Bears completed their 2013-14 Regular Season road schedule on Saturday with a 3-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers. Orlando finished the year with a 19-15-0-2 record on the road... Orlando leads the league with 25 wins in one-goal games this season (25-8-4)... F Mickey Lang leads the ECHL with 44 goals and 16 power play goals. He is third in the league with 75 points. The last player to eclipse the 40 goal mark in the ECHL was Wes Goldie (Alaska Aces) during the 2010-11 season (46 goals). Lang was named to the All-ECHL First Team on Wednesday... F Kory Nagy is one assist shy of 100 in his professional career... The Solar Bears have collected a 13-2-2 record on home ice since the start of January... Forwards Cameron Abney, J.T. Barnett and Michael Catenacci, are on the 21-day injured reserve... G John Curry is in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. He earned first star honors stopping 43 of 45 shots in a 4-2 win for the Wild on Thursday... G Cody Reichard, and F Josh Caron are in the AHL with the Iowa Wild... G Christopher Gibson, G Garret Sparks, F Brad Ross, and D Dylan Yeo are in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies... F Trevor Gillies is in the AHL with Abbotsford Heat... G Tyler Beskorowany is in the AHL with the St. John's IceCaps... F Andrew Johnston is in the AHL with the Adirondack Phantoms... D Blake Kessel is in the AHL with the Rochester Americans.

Solar Bears Close Regular Season with Two Games This Weekend:

The Orlando Solar Bears conclude the 2013-14 Regular Season tonight at 7:00 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, April 13, at 3:00 p.m. at the Amway Center. Tonight's game is Fan Appreciation Night, with the first 3,000 fans in attendance receiving Rally Towels, courtesy of Victory Casino and Local 6. The Solar Bears will also wear special Old Time Jerseys during the game. On Sunday, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a special Solar Bears Team Photo courtesy of SunRail and SunDance Marketing Solutions, and one lucky fan who registers at the game will have a chance to take a shot on the ice and win $5,000, compliments of SunRail. In addition the third jerseys worn on Sunday will be auctioned off by Meigray throughout and after the game.

Solar Bears 2013-14 Season Award Winners:

The Orlando Solar Bears held their Second Annual Awards Show last night, a season ticket holder exclusive event. This year's award winners are:

Dan Snyder Memorial Award (Hard Work/Perseverance): Ian Slater

Rob Kenny Memorial Award (Community Service): Eric Baier

Clutch Performer: Mickey Lang

Keena Wealth Star of the Year: Jacob Cepis

Kevin L. Heller, Sr. Memorial Award (Unsung Hero): Tyler Murovich

Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson Crash of the Year: Scott Tanski

Team MVP: Jacob Cepis

Players who scored their first professional goals this season were honored, and included:

Bryce Aneloski - October 29 against the South Carolina Stingrays

Zachary Yuen - November 13 against the Cincinnati Cyclones

Colton Jobke - November 15 against the Evansville IceMen

Mike Catenacci - December 15 against the Gwinnett Gladiators

Four Top Shelf Awards were handed out to those people who have shown a special dedication to helping the Solar Bears. Winners of the Top Shelf Award are:

Mike Davis - Solar Bears Strength and Conditioning Trainer

Skip Valet - Local 6 General Manager

George Aguel - Visit Orlando President/CEO

Allen Johnson - Orlando Venues Executive Director

Royals Notes:

F Dominic Monardo leads all rookies with 27 goals, is tied for third in the ECHL with 10 power play goals, and is 10th among rookies with 46 points. He also leads all rookies with 210 shots on goal and is tied for third among first year players with five game winning goals... G Brandon Anderson is tied for second with 24 wins, tied for third with four shutouts, and is ninth with a 2.42 GAA... G Riley Gill is 10th in the league with a 2.47 GAA... D Marvin Degon is second among defensemen with 31 assists and is tied for fourth among defensemen with 39 points... D Michal Cajkovsky is tied for second among defesemen with 14 goals and is tied for seventh among defensemen with 36 points... F Ryan Cruthers leads the Royals with 40 assists and 56 points...F Dominic Monardo leads the Royals with 27 goals... Reading is 8th on the power play at 16.7% (47-for-281) and 2nd on the penalty kill at 86.3% (208-for-241).

Check out the Orlando Solar Bears Statistics

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