Via Sarah Hobday
The South Carolina Stingrays went 3-0-1 last week to earn a franchise record 48 wins. This concluded the regular season for the Rays and they will face the Orlando Solar Bears in the first round of the playoffs starting Thursday.
In game one last week, the Rays fell in overtime to the Florida Everblades, clinching the division for Florida and setting up the first round opponent. The Rays scored all three of their tallies in the game on the power play and all came from rookies in Mason Mitchell, Jake Kamrass and Jonathan Charbonneau. Kelly Zajac had two assists in the contest.
The Stingrays then traveled to face Palmetto rival Greenville for games on Thursday and Friday.
Mitchell stole the show once again scoring two goals in the Stingrays 5-2 win. The Stingrays power play continued to be hot going 2-4 on the night. Dylan Margonari and Paul Geiger each picked up two assists in the contest. Parker Milner got his 27th win in the game.
Friday night, the Rays completed the two game sweep of their inter-state rival and win nine of 12 meetings against their bitter rivals. The Stingrays trailed 1-0 heading into the third abut a four goal outburst gave them the win. Kamrass scored twice to lead the way for the Rays, while Charbonneau picked up three assists and both Zajac and Mitchell each had two helpers.
Saturday, the Rays got a late goal from Geiger to give the Rays a 2-1 win, earning them the franchise record 48th win. Jeff Jakaitis saved 28 Orlando shots to pick up his 18th win of the season. Jakaitis finishes the campaign with a 2.13 goals against average that is third-best in the ECHL along with a 0.922 save percentage.
Leaders:
Goals: 20 – Zajac, Joe Devin
Assists: 36 – Steven Whitney, Zajac
Points: 56 – Zajac
Plus/Minus: Plus-21 – Danny Federico
Shots On Goal: 189 –Devin
Wins: 28 – Milner
Goals Against Average: 1.86 – Milner
Save Percentage: 0.929 – Milner
Interesting notes:
The Stingrays broke several ECHL records, becoming the best defensive team in the history of the league. South Carolina is now the new owner of the following records:
• Least goals allowed in a regular season: 153
• Lowest team goals-against average: 2.13
• Fewest power play goals allowed: 27
Round 1 scheduled:
Game 1 – Orlando at South Carolina – Thursday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 2 – Orlando at South Carolina – Saturday, April 14 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 3 – South Carolina at Orlando – Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m.
Game 4 – South Carolina at Orlando – Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m.
Game 5* – South Carolina at Orlando – Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m.
Game 6* – Orlando at South Carolina – Tuesday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m.
Game 7* – Orlando at South Carolina – Wednesday, April 25 at 7:05 p.m.
*if necessary
