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The Week That Was…
The South Carolina Stingrays wrapped up the 72-game regular-season schedule, claimed the South Division championship and prepare for the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against the Wheeling Nailers after a record of 2-0-0-0 last week, finishing their overall stance at 43-23-2-4.
The Stingrays battled the Greenville Road Warriors Tuesday evening at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, closing the 16-game series with a 3-2 shootout victory. Defenseman Kevin Ryan scored his first professional goal and rookie Stephan Vigier netted a power-play tally. In the shootout, forward Wayne Simpson buried his team-leading sixth shootout goal to seal the victory. The Stingrays hold a 9-5-0-2 record against the Road Warriors this season.
Friday marked the final regular-season home game for the Stingrays as they celebrated Fan Appreciation Night and The Post and Courier Hall of Fame Night at the North Charleston Coliseum. On the ice, the Stingrays took down the Elmira Jackals 4-1 behind two-point games from forwards Nick Larson (one goal, one assist) and Simpson (one goal, one assist). Off the ice, former forward Marty Clapton and defenseman Trevor Johnson were inducted into team’s Hall of Fame and goaltender Jeff Jakaitis was presented with the Jerry Zucker Community Service Award.
The Stingrays clinched the South Division title Saturday night after the Orlando Solar Bears, who entered the evening second in South Division, fell 1-0 to the Reading Royals in the shootout, eliminating their chance to catch the Stingrays in the standings. The Stingrays stand first in the division for the fourth time in team history and the first time since 2000-01.
The Numbers (Regular-Season)
Record: 43-23-2-4, 92 points
Home: 22-11-2-1
Away: 21-12-0-3
Last 10 Games: 5-4-0-1
Streak: 3-0-0-0
Goals: Peter Boyd (25)
Assists: Peter Boyd (38)
Points: Peter Boyd (63)
Penalty Minutes: Anthony Collins (109)
Power-Play Goals: Jack Downing, Dale Mitchell (6)
Power-Play Assists: Peter Boyd (11)
Power-Play Points: Peter Boyd (15)
Shorthanded Goals: Luke Greiner (3)
Shorthanded Assists: Luka Vidmar, Peter Boyd (2)
Shorthanded Points: Luke Greiner (4)
Game-Winning Goals: Peter Boyd (7)
Wins: Jeff Jakaitis (24)
GAA: *David LeNeveu (1.64)
SPCT: *David LeNeveu (.940)
*LeNeveu is on loan to Hartford (AHL)
Taking the Lead (Regular-Season Standings)
The Stingrays finished first in the South Division and second in the Eastern Conference with 92 points (43-23-2-4).
Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis ranked third in the ECHL with 24 wins and a .924 save percentage, fifth with a 2.16 goals-against average and was named to the All-ECHL First Team last week.
Forward Peter Boyd finished the regular season tied for ninth in the ECHL with 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) and tied for first with seven game-winning goals.
Forward Wayne Simpson tied for second in the ECHL and second among league rookies with six shootout goals and stands first among rookies and third over all with a shootout percentage of .857 (six goals on seven attempts)
Defenseman Steve Spinell stood fourth among rookies with 39 minor penalties.
Forward Luke Greiner tied for fifth in the ECHL and second among ECHL rookies with three shorthanded goals and tied for fourth overall and first among rookies four shorthanded points (three goals, one assist).
This Week:
South Carolina Stingrays vs. Wheeling Nailers
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Game 1
Friday, Apr. 18
7:05 p.m.
North Charleston Coliseum
Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, Inside Coliseum on 87.8 FM
Preview: 1-0-0-0 head-to-head record this season, 9-8-1 all-time regular-season record
South Carolina Stingrays vs. Wheeling Nailers
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Game 2
Saturday, Apr. 19
7:05 p.m.
North Charleston Coliseum
Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, Inside Coliseum on 87.8 FM
Latest Stingrays News…
Stingrays Open 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs Against the Wheeling Nailers
North Charleston, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays battle the Wheeling Nailers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the opening round of the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the team announced today. Read More
Stingrays Close Regular-Season Schedule with 4-1 Win over Jackals
North Charleston, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays (43-23-2-4) closed the 2013-14 regular season with a 4-1 victory over the Elmira Jackals (24-39-3-5) at the North Charleston Coliseum on Fan Appreciation Night and The Post and Courier Hall of Fame Night Friday evening. The Stingrays open the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs with the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals next weekend. The full postseason schedule and opponent will be released Sunday evening. Read More
Southside 17 in Tanger Outlets is the Official Playoff Watch Party Home of the Stingrays
North Charleston, S.C. – Southside 17 Bar and Grill at the Tanger Outlets in North Charleston is the official playoff watch party home of the South Carolina Stingrays, team president Rob Concannon and Southside 17 General Manager Joshua Butler announced today. Read More
Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis Selected to All-ECHL First Team; Stingrays Tie ECHL Record
North Charleston, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays, along with the ECHL, announced today that goaltender Jeff Jakaitis has been named to the All-ECHL First Team as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media. Read More
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