With some help on Sunday, the Florida Everblades secured a spot in the ECHL playoffs before they head into the final three regular season games this week at Germain Arena.

The Everblades (36-29-4) have qualified for the playoffs in each of the 13 seasons the franchise has been in Southwest Florida.

Cincinnati’s 4-3 win over Toledo and Greenville’s 4-3 overtime win over South Carolina on Sunday secured playoff berths for both the Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays, who are tied for second with 76 points in the South Division standings behind Greenville.

The Blades open the final series with the Stingrays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Germain Arena. The series concludes with games Friday and Saturday nights. The series is key since it likely will determine which team would host a first-round playoff series. It’s possible the two teams also could be first-round opponents.

The teams are evenly matched with the season series between them standing at 4-4-2. The Blades are 28-21-7 at home all-time against the Stingrays.

Evan Stephens, who just wrapped up a four-year collegiate career at Dartmouth, signed with the Blades Monday.

The 23-year-old defenseman scored 20 points in 34 games this season. In his collegiate career, Stephens tallied 81 points (19 goals) in 128 games.

Individual tickets for Playoff Game A, whenever it is, are on sale at the Germain Arena box office or online through TicketMaster.