PREVIEW: Everblades visit Solar Bears, aim for series lead

ORLANDO, Fla. —With the South Division Finals tied at 1-1, the best-of-seven series transitions to Orlando for Game 3 between the Florida Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears on Tuesday night at the Amway Center.   

VITALS:South Division Final - Game 3: Everblades vs. OrlandoWhen: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Amway CenterWatch: ECHL.tvListen: 99.3 FM ESPNSocial: Twitter | #FLAvsORLGame notes: Click here

Last Time OutEverblades goaltender Callum Booth stopped a career-high 41 shots, and Tommy Thompson scored 12:08 into the first overtime session to lift Florida to a 3-2 win over Orlando in Game 2 on Saturday at Hertz Arena. Ben Masella and Blake Winiecki scored five minutes, 11 seconds apart spanning the end of the first period and the first minute of the second period to put Florida ahead, 2-0. Orlando scored twice in a 4:36 span in the third to force overtime. BOX SCORE | RECAP

Players to WatchTommy Thompson (FLA) – After scoring just once in his first 20 career playoff games, the third-year pro has two goals in his last three playoff contests, including Saturday's game-winning strike in overtime. His tally on Saturday was his fifth overtime tally in his career and first in the postseason. The Londonderry, New Hampshire, native finished with a career-high 17 goals and 34 points in the regular season this year. He notched multiple points in four games, including three points on two occasions. 

Jonne Tammela (ORL) - The second-year pro went scoreless in his first two playoff games this year but finished the Solar Bears' first-round series against South Carolina with four points (1g-3a). Though he is scoreless through the first two games of the South Division Finals, Tammela has fired off nine shots, his highest total in consecutive games in the postseason this year. The native of Finland averaged more than a point per game with Orlando in the regular season, posting 26 points (13g-13a) in 23 games. 

Series historyFlorida and Orlando squared off 12 times during the regular season and split those 12 meetings right down the middle, with each team posting a 6-3-2-1 record. The 'Blades have held the significant edge in the all-time series since Orlando joined the ECHL for the 2012-13 season. Florida has compiled a 61-24-7 all-time mark and a 13-7 playoff record against the Solar Bears over the seven seasons of matchups.

League LeadersMasella and Winiecki have both been key offensive pieces for the Everblades and lead the ECHL in several offensive categories. Masella leads all ECHL defensemen with nine points and is tied for the lead among defensemen with three goals and six assists. Winiecki leads all rookies in points with nine and goals with six.

First and ForemostThe Everblades have found the back of the net first in each of the first two games of the series and have recorded the first goal in nine of the 14 meetings with the Solar Bears this season. Florida is 5-1-3 against Orlando when it scores the first goal, while it is 2-2-1 when Orlando pots the first tally. 

Extra Session EffortSince losing 4-3 in overtime to Orlando on Dec. 21, the Everblades have won nine of their last 11 games that have gone to overtime. Florida started the season 0-5 in overtime but has compiled a 9-0-1-1 record over that 11-game span dating back to a 6-5 win over Orlando on Dec. 22. The only two losses in those 11 games were both to Orlando. Florida dropped a 4-3 shootout decision on March 23 and lost Game 1 of this series in overtime, 2-1.

Tonight's BroadcastTonight's Game 3 will air on 99.3 FM ESPN. Fans can also listen online at 993espn.com. For the latest broadcast information throughout the playoffs, make sure to follow the 'Blades on Facebook and Twitter. 

​​​​​​Next UpAfter a day off on Wednesday, the series resumes on Thursday with Game 4 at the Amway Center. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m.  

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