by

The Playoffs: Reading Rolling Through, Providence Pushed to Game 7


Former Stingrays Highlight Kelly Cup Finals

The Reading Royals are one win away from capturing their first Kelly Cup Championship.

After going 46-19-3-4 in the regular season (1-0-0-1 vs. SC) and entering the playoffs as the #1 seed out of the Eastern Conference, the Royals lead Kelly Cup Finals 3-0 in the best-of-seven series after picking up a 3-1 victory over the Stockton Thunder last night in Game 3 in Stockton, California. Box Score

The series features a healthy handful of former Stingrays that have seen tremendous success during the postseason. Stockton’s Ryan Hayes (10 points in 16 games with SC in 2012-13) leads the ECHL playoff scoring race with nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 21 games. Reading’s Nikita Kashirsky (2009 Kelly Cup Champ with SC, 68 points in 86 games in just over two seasons with SC) stands fifth with 18 points in 20 games.

The Royals also feature former Stingrays defensemen Brett Flemming (2011-12, leads the playoffs in points among bluliners with four goals and seven assists), Dustin Stevenson (2010-12, fifth among D-men in playoff points with eight) and Patrick Wellar (2009 Kelly Cup Champ with SC, 2008-10). Stockton’s roster also boasts former Stingrays captain Shawn Weller (2012-13).

Congratulations to Andrew Miller

Earlier this week, my broadcast partner and good friend Andrew Miller claimed the ECHL Outstanding Media Award for the 2012-13 season for his coverage of the Stingrays in The Post and Courier newspaper.

From the release:

Miller has worked at The Post and Courier for more than two decades and has covered the Stingrays since 1998 and serves as radio color commentator for all home games. In addition to covering the Stingrays, he also is the paper’s beat writer for the Charleston Battery soccer team and College of Charleston and has covered everything from high school sports to the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Miller graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1986 with a degree in Journalism.

Congratulations Andrew!

Full story

Catching up with Cail MacLean

Almost every Monday during the summer, several former Stingrays players get together at the Carolina Ice Palace to play some pick-up hockey, tell old stories and have a great time. One player made his summer debut this past Monday and stepped on South Carolina ice for the first time in nearly two years, former Stingrays Captain and coach Cail MacLean. For the past couple seasons, Cail has been the Assistant Coach with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat under Head Coach and mutual friend Troy Ward. Look for a “Catching up with Cail MacLean” segment very soon.

Providence Looks to Avoid Historical Collapse

After leading the Eastern Conference Semifinals series 3-0, the Providence Bruins find themselves even with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with Game 7 tonight in Providence. Full story

The Penguins are just the four team in American Hockey League history to force a Game 7 after going down 3-0. Former Stingrays Tommy Cross (11 games) and Ryan Button (5 games) have seen postseason action for the Bruins.

Boston Takes 3-0 Series Lead Over New York

With both Boston and New York skating grueling seven-game series’ in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins look to be on cruise control leading the Eastern Conference Semifinals series 3-0 after a 2-1 victory in Game 3. Full story

“That fourth game is going to be the toughest one and out of any team in the NHL we should probably know that the best,” Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk said in an article on NHL.com.

Game 4 between the #4-seeded Bruins and #6 Rangers is tomorrow, Thursday, May 23.

See you at the rink!

Joey Z.

 

by

Catching up with Ryan Zapolski; ECHL Postseason Update


Catching Up with Ryan Zapolski

photo

Earlier today I had a chance to sit down and chat with ECHL M.V.P and former Stingrays goaltender Ryan Zapolski as he made a quick stop to Charleston to pick up some personal belongings before heading to his hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Zapolski led the ECHL in 2012-13 with a 1.62 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and eight shutouts. Along the way he picked up a 25-11-2 record in 38 appearances with the Stingrays and received First Team All-ECHL honors, ECHL All-Rookie Team selection, ECHL Goaltender of the Year, ECHL Rookie of the Year and the league’s most valuable player.

Question: Right after your time with the Stingrays and helping them to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, you were loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League and were a part of their Calder Cup Playoff push. How was that experience?

Ryan: It was a great experience being up there. Unfortunately I didn’t get to play, but it was exciting to see players at that level. Milwaukee is a great organization.

Question: It certainly has been a very busy season for you. Released from Idaho and Gwinnett before landing with the Rays and helping the team clinch a playoff berth in the last couple months of the season. I know you are exhausted and looking forward to some down time.

Ryan: The season wears on you with all of the games and travel and time spent on the bus. It will be nice to head home and relax.

Question: Any big summer plans?

Ryan: I am probably going to take a couple weeks off and relax. After than I will probably get into a workout routine. We do not have ice in Erie for a couple months so it will be a while before I can get out there.

Question: There was a report released on a Finnish website about you signing a contract with a team in Finland in their top league. We talked a little before this interview and you mentioned this happened relatively fast.

Ryan: Yea. I received a phone call while I was on the road with Milwaukee and I had less than a day to decide if I wanted to join so I jumped at the opportunity. It will be a culture shock for me, but it is a chance to play in on of the best leagues in the world.

Ryan Zapolski 5

Question: Looking back at this past season, what is the biggest highlight you are taking away from it?

Ryan: This season was great from a team perspective and for me individually. To see how we came together in the last couple months of the season and push our way into the playoffs was a big accomplishment.

Kelly Cup Playoff Update

The Reading Royals and Cincinnati Cyclones are fighting it out in the Easter Conference Finals with the Royals leading the best-of-seven series 2-0. Reading defeated Cincinnati 5-4 in double overtime in Game 1 and picked up a 3-2 OT win in Game 2. Game 3 is in Cincinnati Wednesday evening.

The Stockton Thunder and Idaho Steelheads face each other in the Western Conference Finals with Stockton leading the series 2-0. In Boise, Idaho, the Thunder captured Game 1 with a 3-1 victory and edged the Steelheads in overtime in Game 2, 4-3. The series moves to Stockton, California for Game 3 Wednesday night.

Complete Kelly Cup Playoff update

Summer Stingrays Hockey

The roster is always subject to change, but many former Stingrays including Hall of Famers Matt Scherer, Jason Fitzsimmons, Rob Concannon, Brett Marietti, Dave Seitz and fan favorites like Pierre-Luc O’Brien, Trevor Johnson, Trevor Smith, Johann Kroll, Jeff Jakaitis and more get together for an informal skate/pickup game on Monday nights during the summer at the Carolina Ice Palace. If you’re looking for some summer hockey, come on out and see the Stingrays in action!

See you at the rink!

Joey Z.

by

Thunder Take Series Lead Over Aces; Catching Up with Tyler McNeely


Thunder Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Aces

The Stockton Thunder defeated the Alaska Aces 5-3 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinals series last night. Forward Matt Bergland led the Thunder with two goals and an assist and former Stingrays forward Ryan Hayes added two assists. Box Score

Catching Up with Tyler McNeely

Earlier this morning, former Stingrays forward Tyler McNeely stopped by the office on his journey south and I had a chance to sit and catch up with him for a couple minutes.

photo

McNeely finished the 2012-13 season second on the Stingrays in scoring with 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) in 41 games and spent the last two months of the regular season in the American Hockey League with the Lake Erie Monsters (27 games: 1 goal, 7 assists). The Burnaby, British Columbia native was sidelined in the AHL after suffering a concussion.

While recovering, he said he got to take in a Cleveland Indians game and was two rows away from catching a home run!

With the AHL season over, McNeely and his girlfriend are traveling south to Florida and stopped in Charleston for a couple hours. The two have a place near Orlando and will spend a week vacationing and making stops at Disney World. That is a perfect way to start the summer!

He said he feels great and is looking forward to what the next few months have to offer. After Florida, he planned to make a quick stop in Boston before heading home to B.C. to begin offseason workouts.

It was great to catch up with one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

See you at the rink!

Joey Z.

by

Quest for the Kelly Cup: Cincinnati, Florida and Ontario Earn Game 3 Victories


Cincinnati Blanks Gwinnett in Game 3

Goaltender Michael Houser stopped all 23 Gladiators shots and forward John MacFarland pitched in two goals and an assist to help the Cincinnati Cyclones defeat Gwinnett 5-0 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Cincinnati leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. Box Score

After playing Game 1 and Game 2 in Duluth, Georgia, the remainder of the series will take place in Cincinnati due to building conflicts with The Arena at Gwinnett Center, a unique setup for the postseason.

Game 4 is Friday night and Game 5 is Saturday.

Everblades Earn 4-1 Victory in Game 3

Forward David Rutherford netted two goals and the Florida Everblades went 2-for-3 on the power play to defeat the Reading Royals 4-1 in Game 3 down in Germain Arena in Estero, Florida.The Everblades lead the series 2-1. Box Score

Game 4 is Friday night in Florida.

Ontario Edges Idaho

Former Gladiators forward Mario Lamoureux scored the game-winning goal late in the third period (15:27) to give the Ontario Reign a 2-1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 3 in Boise, Idaho. Like the Everblades and Cyclones, the Reign hold a 2-1 series lead. Former Stingrays defenseman Patrick Cullity buried the lone goal for the Steelheads. Box Score

Game 4 is Friday evening in Idaho.

Check out the full Kelly Cup Playoffs bracket!

See you at the rink!

Joey Z.

by

Looking Back at the 2012-13 Season and a Tragic First Week of the Offseason


A week and a half has passed since the conclusion of the 2012-13 Stingrays season and the dust is just beginning to settle.

From my final postgame ramblings after the Game 4 loss to the Gwinnett Gladiators until now, I have looked back and realized this: With all the peaks and valleys, early mornings, late nights, broken down buses and three-game-in-three-day weekends,  the season zipped by in a flash.

We went from kicking off our 20th anniversary season on October 13 to celebrating Thanksgiving in Elmira, New York, the beginning of the Holidays in Cincinnati, Pack the House Night in late January, Pink in the Rink in February, clinching a playoff berth in March to saying our goodbyes in April.

With all the adversity acquired throughout the year, the Stingrays battled and produced a thrilling season, one the organization, the players and staff and the fans can be proud of.

The 2012-13 season saw 51 players put on a Stingrays uniform and take the ice. The first half of the season was tough. The team was, in coach Spencer Carbery’s words “searching for an identity” and trying to reach a .500 record. Through 36 games, the Stingrays held a 14-17-1-3 record and picked up some momentum with a season-high six-game winning streak.

Around the Holidays and New Years, coach Carbery made major waves in the ECHL with several trades in search of the “right pieces,” including four trades in five days (Adding Ryan Hayes on Dec. 27, Adding Derek Foam on Dec. 28, Sending Kevin M. Baker to FLA on Dec. 29, Matt Becca from FLA for Matthew Pistilli on Dec. 31).

It was also around this time that goaltender Ryan Zapolski started picking up the first of what would be one of the most decorated seasons for any individual in ECHL history. Claimed off of waivers from the Gwinnett Gladiators in early November, Zapolski grabbed the ECHL Goaltender of the Month award for December (his first of two monthly awards), his second ECHL Goaltender of the Week award (second of  three) and was named to the ECHL All-Star Team (eventually taking the ECHL All-Star Game M.V.P. award). Zapolski went on to claim his second Goalie of the Month award in February and added ECHL All-Rookie and First Team honors as well as league Goalie of the Year, Rookie of the Year and overall M.V.P.

Along with Zapolski’s strong play, the Stingrays turned their season around in the second half to finish 23-9-4-0 in the remaining 36 games including a 19-5-4-0 stretch starting Jan. 20. The team also wrapped up the regular-season home schedule with a season-long 14-game home point streak (12-0-2-0). On game 51 of the season, the Stingrays pushed past a .500 record for good behind a 5-2 win over Evansville on February 8.

Injuries and American League call-ups are a part of any ECHL season, but it seemed like the Stingrays had to overcome these obstacles more this season than in any of the previous three I have been a member of. As you sift through the roster and player game-by-game stats, you unfortunately see a lot of time missing. Approximately 264 games were lost due to injury with a majority of that time coming from players  suffering concussions.

All in all, the Stingrays finished the regular season third in the South Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 38-26-5-3 and clinched a playoff berth of the 19th time in team history, an ECHL record, before falling to Gwinnett in the opening round. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the year.

Personally, there were many highlights for me both on and off the ice. Skating during training camp, celebrating a birthday and Thanksgiving on the road, visiting Philadelphia for the very first time and having BOTH Pat’s and Geno’s cheese steaks and recreating the famous stairs scene from “Rocky,” witnessing the wild 9-3 victory over Orlando at the Coliseum in front of over 10,000 fans on Pack the House Night, meeting and chatting with legendary broadcaster Bob Chase when Ft. Wayne rolled into town, the bus breaking down on the way to Florida, seeing good friend Matt Scherer join the Stingrays Hall of Fame and much more.

Quest for the Kelly Cup

Congratulations to the Cincinnati Cylcones, Gladiators, Reading Royals and Florida Everblades on advancing to the second round of the postseason in the Eastern Conference. Out of the Western Conference, the Stockton Thunder, Alaska Aces, Idaho Steelheads and Ontario Reign stand in the second round. As of today, all four series are tied 1-1.

Trenton Ceases Operations

Yesterday, the ECHL and the Trenton Titans announced that the Titans organization will cease operations for the 2013-14 season. Certainly a sad day for the league and the Titans organization. According to an article released by the Trentonian, the Titans could return for the 2014-15 campaign.

We Are Boston Strong

The Boston Marathon tragedy and the ensuing manhunt shook and humbled all of us over the past week. The Stingrays NHL affiliate, the Boston Bruins, along with the Boston Red Sox saw games postponed and the town, home to Stingrays President Rob Concannon, became the center of attention around the word. Out of all the sadness and chaos came moments of great patriotism and pride:

Boston Bruins tribute to Boston Marathon victims

Crowd sings National Anthem before Bruins game

Last Sunday, people from all over the Charleston area came together for the Charleston Runs for Boston 5K.

daily-morning-awesomeness-134

Looking Forward

I am proud to say that the Stingrays are in the top 10 in the ECHL in ticket packages renewed for the 2013-14 season and we look to continue to climb. If you have not renewed your seats for the upcoming season or are looking to add to your package, give us a call! 843.744.2248.

Looking ahead to the summer, many of the Stingrays staff, including myself, will take some time off to see family and friends. My Goddaughter’s baptism this weekend in Texas and my cousin’s wedding in July in Wisconsin are big highlights for me.  I’m sure I’ll be posting photos and possibly even creating a small movie to document my travels.

After the Kelly Cup Playoffs, the ECHL and all the teams will come together for the summer meetings in Las Vegas in late June to share ideas on last season and create plans for the upcoming year.

Thank you to all of you for reading this bog throughout the season! I look forward to adding more posts this summer.

See you at the rink!

Joey Z.

by

Quest for the Kelly Cup: Stingrays and Gladiators Meet in Game 4; Road Warriors Shutout


Stingrays and Gladiators Meet in Game 4 Tonight

North Charleston, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays battle the Gwinnett Gladiators in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals tonight at 7:05 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Listen to all the action live at StingraysHockey.com. The Stingrays trail the best-of-seven series 3-0.

Game 1 Recap – Stingrays 0, Gladiators 5: The Gladiators took the series lead with a 5-0 victory at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Forward Tyler Murovich scored two goals and goaltender Louis Domingue recorded his first professional postseason shutout making 24 saves. Box Score

Game 2 Recap – Stingrays 2, Gladiators 3: The Stingrays erased two Gladiators leads last Saturday with goals from forward Jay Silvia and defenseman Derek Foam, but forward Joey Haddad buried the game-winning tally with 16.5 seconds remaining in the third period to give Gwinnett a 3-2 victory at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Stingrays forward Chris Langkow added two assists and netminder Ryan Zapolski made 36 saves. Box Score

Game 3 Recap – Stingrays 1, Gladiators 3: The Gladiators pushed the Stingrays to the brink of elimination Wednesday night at the North Charleston Coliseum with a 3-1 victory. Defenseman Scooter Vaughan lit the lamp for the Stingrays on the power play in the second period and Zapolski registered 31 saves. Box Score

Chasing History – The Stingrays look to become only the second team in ECHL history to win a best-of-seven series when trailing three-games-to-none. The last and only time this happened was back in the 2010 American Conference Finals between the Cincinnati Cyclones (who defeated the Stingrays in a full five-game series in the opening round) and the Reading Royals. Reading was up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series before the Cyclones took a 6-4 victory in Reading in Game 4, 5-0 shutout win in Game 5 in Reading, forced a final game with a 6-3 win in Game 6 in Cincinnati and edging the Royals 1-0 in Game 7.

A coworker of mine, Brian Mulhern, has labeled this potential steak for the Rays the “Freak Streak.”

Game 5 (if necessary) between the two teams is Saturday, April 13 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Game Notes

2012-13 Regular Season

2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs

Road Warriors Shutout for the Third Time

The Greenville Road Warriors fell to the Reading Royals in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series 3-0 at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C., the third shutout for the Royals in the series.

Forward Yannick Tifu scored two goals for the Royals and netminder Mark Owuya stopped all 29 Road Warriors shots. Reading leads the series 3-1. Box Score

Game 5 is Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 in Greenville.

Aces Take Series Lead

The Alaska Aces took a 2-1 series lead behind a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Bulls in Game 3 last night in San Francisco, CA. Forward Nick Mazzolini netted a goal and an assist for the Aces. Box Score

Game 4 is tonight at 7:15 PDT in San Francisco.

See you are the rink!

Joey Z

by

Quest for the Kelly Cup: Stingrays Look to Make History Against Gladiators


Stingrays Look to Make History Against Gladiators after Game 3 Loss

The South Carolina Stingrays look to become only the second team in ECHL history to win a best-of-seven series when trailing three-games-to-none after falling to the Gwinnett Gladiators in Game 3 last night by a final of 3-1 at the North Charleston Coliseum.

The last and only time this happened was back in the 2010 American (Eastern) Conference Finals between the Cincinnati Cyclones (who defeated the Stingrays in a full five-game series in the opening round) and the Reading Royals. Reading was up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series before the Cyclones took a 6-4 victory in Reading in Game 4, 5-0 shutout win in Game 5 in Reading, forced a final game with a 6-3 win in Game 6 in Cincinnati and edging the Royals 1-0 in Game 7.

Game 3 Recap: Stingrays defenseman Scooter Vaughan capitalized on the power play in the second period, but the Gladiators finished the game 2-for-5 on the man advantage and outshot the Stingrays 34-29 including a 16-3 first-period lead for a 3-1 victory.  Box Score

After the game, Head Coach Spencer Carbery chatted with John Nugent of ABC News 4. Click here to watch the highlights and video interview.

During his interview, Carbery presented a challenge the players in the locker room:

“That speaks to a man’s character in my opinion,” he said. “If you can’t get up for a game, a playoff game, your first playoff game at home, playing April hockey, playing for a championship, you’ve got to ask yourself why are you playing professional hockey.”

CBS Live 5′s Andy Pruitt chatted with Stingrays team captain Kevin Quick and ECHL M.V.P. Ryan Zapolski. Click here to watch highlights and video interview.

“It’s a bit of a surprise for us right now,” Zapolski said. “We were rolling (winning/playing) so well and we figured we would just keep going, but that’s not the case. We weren’t able to pick it up in the first game and they really took it to us. It was a bit of an eye opener for us. Hopefully we can figure something out and get some wins.”

“It might just be that Gwinnett wanted it more in the first (period), ” Quick mentioned. “They came out hungry and we are on our home ice and it was a little disappointing. It just was not a good first 20 (period).

I caught up with Stingrays forwards Jay Silvia and Chris Langkow immediately after the game:

Jay Silvia

Chris Langkow

The quote that Langkow said that really stood out to me and summarized Carbery’s point in the news interview and the Stingrays play in the first three games was: “The last few games we haven’t had everyone on the same page and everyone is doing their own thing…” What do you think?

I’ve also heard fans questioning and wanting goaltender Jeff Jakaitis to start in Game 4 on Friday. After all, he is an ECHL Goaltender of the Year and has turned in strong performances in the few starts he made late in the regular season. What are your thoughts? Put him in or go to Zapolski? Will that stir the team in a positive or negative way?

2001 Kelly Cup Champs Reunion

On a lighter note, last night’s Game 3 was an unofficial 2001 Kelly Cup Championship team reunion. Stingrays greats Jody Lehman and Greg Schmidt were at the Coliseum for the first time in over a decade along with ECHL Hall of Famer Dave Seitz, Stingrays Hall of Famers Jason Fitzsimmons and Brett Marietti and former team captain Trevor Johnson.

Seitz came up to the broadcast booth during both intermissions to share stories from that championship season and had a special story about his goaltender, Lehman, and how the Stingrays’ historic 10-game road winning streak came to an end.

Dave Seitz story on Jody Lehman

The Rest of the Quest

Road Warriors Strike Back

Trailing 2-0 in their best-of-seven series against the Reading Royals, the Greenville Road Warriors responded with a 4-2 Game 3 victory last night at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C. In a little bit of a surprise, the Royals DID NOT start goaltender Riley Gill, who picked up back-to-back shutouts in Game 1 and 2, and went with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mark Owuya. Former Stingrays defenseman Brett Flemming scored both goals for the Royals. Box Score

Game 4 tonight at 7:00 at the Bi-Lo Center.

Everblades Take 2-1 Series Lead With Overtime Victory

The Florida Everblades needed only 11 second of overtime hockey to defeat the Elmira Jackals 2-1 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series Wednesday night. Forward Mike Ratchuk scored the game-tying goal late in the third period (18:57) for Florida and forward A.J. Jenks provided the OT heroics. Box Score

Game 4 is Friday at 7:05 up in First Arena in Elmira, N.Y.

Cincinnati Pushes Toledo to the Edge

The Cincinnati Cyclones took a commanding 3-0 series lead with a 5-2 victory of the Toledo Walleye at U.S. Bank Area in Cincinnati, Ohio. Forward Josh Birkholz netted two goals and netminder Michael Houser made 35 saves in the victory. Box Score

Game 4 is Friday night at 7:35 in Cincinnati.

Vegas Takes Series Lead

After trailing two-games-to-none to the Stockton Thunder, the Las Vegas Wranglers came roaring back to tie the series and took their first lead last night behind a 32-save shutout performance from goalie Joe Fallon in a 3-0 victory. Forward Andrew Sarauer buried two goals and an assist for the Wranglers. Box Score

Game 6 is Friday night in Stockton at 7:30 PDT.

Share your thoughts in the comments below and I’ll see you at the rink!

Joey Z