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Stingrays Playoff Weekly: Stingrays and Royals Take Opening-Round Playoff Series to Reading

April 20, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


#2 South Carolina Stingrays vs. #3 Reading Royals

Game 1: at South Carolina 2-1 Win Highlights

Game 2: at South Carolina 4-2 Loss Highlights

Game 3: Thursday, April 23 at Reading 7:00 p.m.

Game 4: Saturday, April 25 at Reading 7:00 p.m.

*Game 5: Sunday, April 26 at Reading 5:00 p.m.

*Game 6: Tuesday, April 28 at South Carolina 7:05 p.m. Tickets

*Game 7: Wednesday, April 29 at South Carolina 7:05 p.m. Tickets

*if necessary

The Week That Was...

The South Carolina Stingrays qualified for the postseason for the eighth straight season and the 21st time in the 22-year history of the organization and kicked off their quest for an ECHL-record fourth Kelly Cup Championship last week with Game 1 and 2 of their opening-round series against the Reading Royals at the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday and Saturday night.

Game 1: East Division Semifinals - North Charleston Coliseum

The two sides established physical presences early in Game 1 and the Stingrays opened the series scoring in the second period with forward Joe Devin's power-play goal. The Royals responded late in the same frame when defenseman Maxim Lamarche jumped into a 3-on-2 rush to even the contest. A defensive-minded third period and a high-flying first overtime period followed, but Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis and Reading keeper Connor Knapp held the 1-1 draw. Rolling towards the halfway point of second overtime, the Stingrays were awarded a power play with former Rays defenseman Brett Flemming heading to the penalty box for holding. Defenseman Frankie Simonelli capitalized on the man advantage with a one-time blast from the left-wing point to give the Stingrays a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: East Division Semifinals - North Charleston Coliseum

Frustrated with the Game 1 result, the Royals flew out of the gate in Game 2 grabbing a 3-0 lead after the first period. Defenseman Jordan Heywood found the back of the net twice and forward Brandon Alderson added his first postseason goal. The Stingrays retaliated in the middle stanza, outshooting the Royals 12-2 and picked up tallies from forwards Sean Dolan and Devin. In the third period, the Stingrays carried over the momentum, placing 12 more shots on target, but Royals forward Ryan Cruthers made in 4-2 early on to spoil the comeback.

By The Numbers: 2015 Playoffs

Record: 1-1

Home : 1-1

Road : 0-0

Goals : Joe Devin (2)

Assists : Drew MacKenzie (2)

Points : Joe Devin, Sean Dolan, Drew MacKenzie (2)

Penalty Minutes : Wade Epp (4)

Power-Play Goals : Joe Devin, Frankie Simonelli (1)

Power-Play Assists : Four players tied at one

Shorthanded Goals : N/A

Shorthanded Assists : N/A

Shorthanded Points : N/A

Game-Winning Goals : Frankie Simonelli (1)

Wins: Jeff Jakaitis (1)

Goals-Against Average : Jeff Jakaitis (2.06)

Save Percentage : Jeff Jakaitis (.911)

By The Numbers: 2014-15 Regular Season

Record: 45-20-1-6, 97 points (2nd East Division)

Home: 20-11-1-4

Away: 25-9-0-2

Last 10 Games : 8-2-0-0

Streak: 1-0-0-0

Goals: Derek DeBlois (21)

Assists: Wayne Simpson, Andrew Rowe (39)

Points: Andrew Rowe (56)

Penalty Minutes: Marcus Perrier (155)

Power-Play Goals: Joe Devin (9)

Power-Play Assists: Brandon Wong (14)

Power-Play Points: Brandon Wong (19)

Shorthanded Goals: Branden Gracel*, Patrick Gaul, Braden Pimm*, Lee Moffie, Derek DeBlois (1)

Shorthanded Assists: Rob Bellamy (2)

Shorthanded Points: Rob Bellamy (2)

Game-Winning Goals: Wayne Simpson (5)

Wins: Jeff Jakaitis (26)

Goals-Against Average: Adam Morrison (1.88)

Save Percentage: Adam Morrison (.928)

*No longer with team

League Leaders:

Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is eighth among ECHL netminders in the playoffs with a 2.08 goals-against average.

Defenseman Frankie Simonelli is tied for first among league rookies and defensemen with one power-play goal and one game-winning goal.

This Week:

South Carolina Stingrays at Reading Royals

Game 3: East Division Semifinals

Thursday, Apr. 23

7:00 p.m.

Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania

Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, ECHL.TV

Watch Live: Southside 17 at Tanger Outlets Watch Party

South Carolina Stingrays at Reading Royals

Game 4: East Division Semifinals

Saturday, Apr. 25

7:00 p.m.

Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania

Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, ECHL.TV

Watch Live: Southside 17 at Tanger Outlets Watch Party

South Carolina Stingrays at Reading Royals

Game 5: East Division Semifinals

Sunday, Apr. 26

5:00 p.m.

Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania

Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, ECHL.TV

Watch Live: Southside 17 at Tanger Outlets Watch Party


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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