The last time the Orlando Solar Bears made the playoffs was in 2001, that season they won the Turner Cup, unfortunately for the franchise the IHL folded after that season, never allowing them to defend their title.

Now the Solar Bears are set to play in their first playoff game as in ECHL franchise, after clinching the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed in  in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with a 5-4 win over the Greenville Road Warriors on Sunday.

“It’s everything for us,” said Solar Bears chief operating officer, Bob Ohrablo about the playoff berth. “When we put this together we wanted to win, that was our top priority.

“Last time the Solar Bears were in the playoffs they won a championship and that’s the act we’re trying to follow.”

Orlando will now play the Cincinnati Cyclones in the Kelly Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which begin on Thursday, April 17 at the Amway Center. The Solar Bears will get home-ice over the Cyclones, who went 1-1 this season against one another.

The Solar Bears went 23-9-2-1 at home during the regular season and will look to continue that trend during the opening round of the playoffs.

“We’ve been on the road a lot the last few weeks,” said Solar Bears head coach Vince Williams about the home-ice advantage. “So it’s always nice to be at home.”

During their final three-game homestand of the regular season Orlando drew over 23,00 fans. The Solar Bears averaged the third best attendance in the league this season, behind Fort Wayne and Ontario.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Solar Bears defenseman Cody Wild about the postseason. “Playoff hockey is just a whole different environment and just a whole different level of play.”

“I’m excited to see what the fans have in store for us,” said MacLeod about playing at home in the playoffs. “I’ve heard rumors that there were talks about opening the upper bowl.”

The Solar Bears went 23-9-2-1 at home during the regular season and will look to continue that trend during the opening round of the playoffs.

Time for puck-drop for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Cyclones is 7 p.m., on Thursday.

The playoff berth marks the first in the franchise’s two-year ECHL history.

“It’s huge for the franchise,” said MacLeod. “ Anytime you can make the playoffs and go far in the playoffs, I think that’s huge.”