ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Solar Bears Welcome 86,391 Fans During Home Stretch

March 5, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears held the 'BE GREAT! Classic for Kids' on Saturday, March 2, raising over $6,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.

The first week of the home stretch of games was highlighted on February 2, when 8,650 Solar Bears fans were in attendance as Orlando honored the Turner Cup Championship team from the 2000-01 season by raising the banner to the Amway Center rafters. That night, C Mathew Sisca scored 1:04 in the contest and forward C.J. Severyn collected four points (1 goal, 3 assists) to help Orlando down the Titans 6-4.

Orlando eclipsed the 7,000 fan mark again just two games later, on February 8, when 7,242 fans turned out to see the Solar Bears erase a 3-0 second period deficit to overcome the Florida Everblades with a 4-3 shootout victory. F Ryan Ginand led the charge offensively for Orlando with a goal and an assist in the game.

The following weekend the Solar Bears held Faith and Family Weekend in three games against the South Carolina Stingrays from Friday, February 15, through Sunday, February 17. A total of 21,023 fans came out over the three game set, with 8,590 people in attendance on Saturday night. Three live bands played during the weekend, as Stria performed on Friday, Group 1 Crew took the stage on Saturday, and Good Luck Penny closed out the weekend on Sunday. Season ticket holders were invited to step on the Amway Center ice after Sunday's game for a Skate with the Team event, as well as get autographs from Solar Bears players on the concourse.

Fans turned out in high numbers once again on Friday, February 22, to see Orlando battle a South Division rival, the Gwinnett Gladiators. That night, 7,448 fans witnessed a 4-2 win for Orlando over the division leader, while also seeing C Ryan Cruthers score his 20th goal of the season with a shorthanded tally late in the final period.

The home stretch came to a close last weekend, as the third largest crowd of the year of 8,819 people watched the Solar Bears match up against the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Reading Royals. Before the game, the Solar Bears hosted the 'BE GREAT! Classic for Kids' that saw seven-time Stanley Cup champion Bryan Trottier, Solar Bears Head Coach and veteran of 549 NHL games Drake Berehowsky, and former Solar Bears and NHL-ers Allan Bester and Bob Joyce hit the ice with local Orlando players.

When the homestand ended, 86,391 fans had come out to see the Solar Bears, for an average attendance of 6,645 people. A total of 53,019 were in attendance over the seven Friday and Saturday dates, for an average of 7,574 people at the weekend games.

"We want to thank all of the fans who have come out to Amway Center to celebrate the return of the Solar Bears so far this season," said Chief Operating Office/Managing Partner Bob Ohrablo. "Our fans have created an incredible atmosphere inside the Amway Center each and every night."

The Solar Bears embark on a six game road trip before starting a final five game regular season home stretch beginning with a St. Patrick's Day Celebration game on Wednesday, March 20th against the Greenville Road Warriors, who also provide the competition for the Thursday, March 21st home game. The home stand continues on Sunday, March 24th against Cincinnati and concludes with a pair of games against arch rivals, the Florida Everblades on Spring Break Week-Tuesday, March 26th and Wednesday, March 27th.

Check out the Orlando Solar Bears Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 5, 2013


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