PREVIEW: 'Blades wrap up three-in-three in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Playing for the seventh time in the last 12 days, the Florida Everblades (40-13-3-2, 85 pts.) close out a stretch of three games in three days with a Sunday matinée against the Orlando Solar Bears (26-25-5-1, 58 pts.) at the Amway Center. 

VITALS:Game 59: Everblades at Orlando Solar BearsWhen: 3 p.m. ETWhere: Amway CenterWatch: ECHL TVListen: Mixlr | WJBXSocial: Twitter | Instagram

Last time outMichael Huntebrinker and Hunter Garlent combined for four goals and eight points to help the Everblades clinch a playoff berth with a 5-2 win over the Jacksonville Icemen on Saturday at Hertz Arena. With the game tied at one at the start of the second period, Florida scored all three goals in the middle frame to take control of the game. Starting for the second straight night, Cam Johnson made 35 saves to earn the win. RECAP

Series At A GlanceThe Solar Bears are the Everblades' most frequent opponent this season, and the two teams will go head to head for the 10th time this year on Sunday. After the two teams posted identical 6-3-2-1 records in the season series last year, Florida has had the noticeable edge in this season's series and carries a 6-1-1-0 record into Sunday's game. Florida holds a 67-25-8 record in the all-time series against Orlando and will play the Solar Bears another four times in the regular season after Sunday's tilt. 

Players to WatchDarik Angeli (FLA) - Not only did Angeli notch his first point with Florida on Saturday, but he assisted on two goals for his first multi-point game with the club after being acquired on Thursday via a trade with the Norfolk Admirals. The two-assist game pushed the Ohio State University product over the 40-point mark for the season, and he now has nine goals and 32 assists. This is the second time in Angeli's five-year career that he has scored at least 40 points in a single season.  

Chris LeBlanc (ORL) -  After being sidelined for the better part of the month of February, Orlando's captain returned to action on Friday against the Atlanta Gladiators. He then posted a goal and an assist on Saturday against the Newfoundland Growlers to help lead his club to a 5-1 win. LeBlanc has recorded five multi-point games this season and is sixth on the Solar Bears in scoring with 30 points (13g, 17a). Go, Go GarlentWith his multi-goal game on Saturday, Garlent finished off a sensational month of February. The rookie forward recorded a point in all but two of the games in which he suited up during the month and had multiple points in seven contests. The Thorold, Ontario, native completed the month as the league leader in scoring with 19 points (7g, 12a) in 12 games. Garlent had four multi-point games in his first 40 games before his current offensive tear. 

Playoff BoundWith the win on Saturday, Florida joined South Carolina as the only two teams to have clinched a berth in the 2020 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Everblades have qualified for the postseason in 21 of their 22 seasons in the ECHL and have now made the playoffs in six straight seasons. The victory also gave Florida 40 wins this year, the 12th time in team history that it has reached the 40-win plateau. 

Second is BestThe second period was a key part of Florida's performance on Saturday night, something that has been the case throughout the season. The Everblades finished with a league-best +40-goal differential in the middle frame last season and are a +28 in the second period this season after outscoring Jacksonville 3-0 in the middle period on Saturday. Florida sits fourth in the league in scoring differential in second periods, trailing only South Carolina (+36), Reading (+30) and Toledo (+29). Saturday was the 10th time this year that Florida has registered three or more goals in the second period of a home game. 

Next UpThe Everblades start their sixth straight three-game week with a Wednesday night matchup against the Jacksonville Icemen at Hertz Arena. 

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and AHL's Milwaukee Admirals