Back in mid-May, when the Adirondack Thunder were still considered to be the Lightning’s ECHL affiliate, I broke down the Thunder’s 2018-19 schedule. Now that the affiliation has switched to the Orlando Solar Bears, it’s only fair that I give their schedule the same analysis.
Orlando will play a total of 72 regular season games, beginning on Saturday, October 13th, at 7:00 PM against the Atlanta Gladiators at Amway Center.
See you on October 13, @atlgladiators! 🕶 https://t.co/42qZYIF5yt
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) May 15, 2018
If you were hoping to get to Orlando early in the season to check the Solar Bears out, well…you won’t have much to choose from. With the Orlando Magic kicking off their preseason and regular season schedules with 10 home games through mid-November, the Solar Bears will play 13 of their first 15 games on the road. That other home game outside of the home opener? A 10:30 AM school day special on Tuesday, November 6th against division rival Jacksonville.
Mark your calendars: school’s in session with the #SolarBears on Tuesday, Nov. 6! 🐻🏫📓✏️🍎 https://t.co/SBtfgdZgGG
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) July 11, 2018
Speaking of division rivals—much like Adirondack’s schedule, Orlando’s is also very heavy divisionally. They will face their fellow South Division teams a total of 59 times. Their most frequent opponents will be Jacksonville, South Carolina, and Florida, with 12 games each. They take on Greenville 9 times, Atlanta 8, and Norfolk 6.
As for the 13 games outside the South Division, they play 10 games against North Division foes. The expansion Newfoundland Growlers lead the way with 5 matchups, including a three game trip to St. John’s in March. Orlando will face Manchester and Worcester twice, and make one trip to Maine in November to face the ECHL’s other expansion team, the Mariners.
Orlando will play just three games outside the Eastern Conference: a three game series at home in mid-March against the Mountain Division’s Idaho Steelheads.
The two longest road trips are part of the 13 of 15 to begin the regular season, beginning with a 7 game stretch from October 19th-November 3rd. During that time, the Solar Bears have one game each against Jacksonville and Atlanta, three games against Florida, then two against Greenville. After a brief trip home for the school day matchup against Jacksonville, the Solar Bears go back on the road for a 6 game stretch from November 10th-18th. They will go twice against South Carolina before moving north to New England for four games: one in Maine, one in Manchester, and two in Worcester.
Orlando’s longest homestand is 6 games, from February 15th-23rd, where they will host Jacksonville, Atlanta, Manchester, Norfolk, and Greenville (twice).
As for days of the week:
Monday is the only day of the week no games are scheduled. There is only one Tuesday game, the aforementioned school day game in November. Orlando will play on Wednesday 9 times, Thursday 7, Friday 21, Saturday 25, and Sunday 10. They will play 11 3 in 3’s, including 3 in March alone.
Some key dates to keep in mind:
Saturday, October 13th: Home and season opener against Atlanta.
October 24th, 26th, 27th: First three game series in Estero against the Everblades.
Tuesday, November 6th: Special 10:30 AM home start against Jacksonville.
Wednesday, November 14th: Orlando makes their inaugural visit to Maine to face the Mariners.
November 23rd-24th: Orlando will host Newfoundland for the first time.
March 8th-10th: The Solar Bears will travel to St. John’s for a weekend series against the Growlers.
March 15th-17th: Orlando will host Idaho for a 3 game set at Amway Center.
Sunday, April 7th: Season finale at home against Florida.
You can find the full schedule here.
