ECHL ECHL

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Open Monday

April 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release


The 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs begin on Monday when No. 4 Seed Johnstown hosts No. 5 Seed Reading in the Northern Division Wild Card Game with the winner advancing to meet Northern Division winner Wheeling in the Northern Division Semifinals. The other Northern Division match-up is No. 2 Seed Atlantic City and No. 3 Seed Peoria.

The Pacific Division Semifinals and the Southern Division Semifinals both open on Tuesday. In the Pacific Division, it will be No. 1 Seed San Diego hosting No. 4 Seed Alaska and No. 2 Seed Las Vegas hosting No. 3 Seed Idaho. In the Southern Division, it will be No. 1 Seed Columbia hosting No. 4 Seed South Carolina and No. 2 Seed Roanoke hosting No. 3 Seed Florida.

The Central Division Semifinals will open on Wednesday with No. 1 Seed Louisiana hosting No. 4 Seed Pensacola and No. 2 Seed Mississippi hosting No. 3 Seed Gwinnett.

Returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02 and for the 10th time in its 16-year history, Johnstown finished tied for sixth overall with 97 points and a 45-20-7 record, establishing team records for points (97), wins (45), home wins (26), road wins (19) and fewest goals allowed (195). The Chiefs were 4-0-0 at home and 6-3-1 overall against Reading in 2003-04. In the postseason for the first time in its three-year history, Reading won its final two games to finish tied for 12th overall with 84 points and a 37-25-10 record.

Wheeling is returning to the postseason for the first time since 1997-98 and for the 10th time in its 16-year history. The Nailers, who had an ECHL record 11 shutouts in 2003-04, finished first in the Northern Division and second overall with 106 points and a 51-17-4 record, establishing team records for points (106), wins (51), home wins (28) and road wins (23). The Nailers will host Games 1 and 2 of the Northern Division Semifinals on Thursday and Friday.

Wheeling was 5-0-0 at home and 8-1-0 overall against Reading in 2003-04, and is 12-9-1 all-time in the regular season against the Royals. Reading was 1-2-1 at home and 1-4-4 overall against Wheeling in 2003-04, and is 10-7-5 all-time in the regular season against the Nailers. Wheeling was 2-2-0 at home and 3-6-0 overall against Johnstown in 2003-04, and is 75-47-15 all-time in the regular season against the Chiefs. Johnstown was 4-1-0 at home and 6-3-0 overall against Wheeling in 2003-04, and is 62-60-15 all-time in the regular season against the Nailers. Wheeling is 7-4 all-time in the postseason against Johnstown. Wheeling, then the Carolina Thunderbirds, defeated Johnstown four games to three in the 1989 Riley Cup Finals to win the inaugural ECHL title, and the Nailers beat the Chiefs three games to one in the 1993 Riley Cup Semifinals.

Atlantic City is the defending Kelly Cup Champion and is making its third straight postseason appearance since moving to New Jersey in 2001-02. The Boardwalk Bullies finished second in the Northern Division and third overall with 100 points and a 47-19-6 record, and established team records for points (100), wins (47) and road wins (23).

Atlantic City had the second-best goals against average in ECHL history with 2.21, while allowing the second-fewest goals in league history with 159. The Boardwalk Bullies were 1-1-0 at home and 2-1-1 overall against Peoria in 2003-04, and are 4-2-2 all-time in the regular season against the Rivermen. Peoria has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of its eight seasons, winning the Kelly Cup in 2000 and advancing to the Northern Conference Finals in 2001. The Rivermen, who finished third in the Northern Division and fourth overall with 99 points and a 45-18-9 record, had a goals against average of 2.46 tying San Diego for the fifth-best goals against average in league history. Peoria was 1-0-1 at Atlantic City and 1-0-1 at home against the Boardwalk Bullies in 2003-04 and the Rivermen are 4-1-3 all-time in the regular season against Atlantic City. Atlantic City will host Games 1 and 2 on Wednesday and Friday with Game 3 scheduled for April 12 in Peoria.

Becoming only the second first-year team in league history to win the Brabham Cup, San Diego finished first in the ECHL with 108 points and a 49-13-10 record. The Gulls set a league record for most first season wins (49) while tying the league record for most home wins (30) and tying Florida for the second-highest point total in league history. San Diego finished with a goals against average of 2.46 tying Peoria for the fifth-best goals against average in league history. San Diego was 5-0-0 at home and 6-3-1 overall against Alaska in 2003-04. Alaska finished tied for 17th overall with 82 points and a 38-28-2 record. The Aces were 4-1-0 at home and 4-4-2 overall against the Gulls in 2003-04. San Diego will host Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday with Game 3 scheduled for Friday at Alaska.

Las Vegas finished ninth overall with 93 points and a 43-22-7 record, while Idaho finished tied for 11th overall with 89 points and a 40-23-9 record. Las Vegas was 4-1-0 at home and 5-3-2 overall against Idaho in 2003-04. Idaho was 4-1-0 at home and 5-4-1 overall against Las Vegas in 2003-04. Las Vegas will host Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Friday with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday at Idaho.

Advancing to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third time in its three-year history, Columbia finished eighth overall and won its second consecutive division title with 96 points and a 44-20-8 record, setting a team record for road wins (22) and tying its team record for points (96). The Inferno, who advanced to the 2003 Kelly Cup Finals, was 2-1-0 at home and 5-1-0 overall against South Carolina in 2003-04, and Columbia is 15-6-1 all-time in the regular season against the Stingrays. Making the postseason for an ECHL record-tying 11th consecutive season, South Carolina finished 16th overall with 83 points and a 39-28-5 record. The Stingrays were 0-1-2 at home and 1-3-2 overall against Columbia in 2003-04, and are 7-12-3 all-time in the regular season against the Inferno. Columbia will host Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Friday with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday at South Carolina.

Winning nine in a row to end the season and going 12-0-2 in its final 14 games, Roanoke finished tied for 13th overall with 84 points and a 38-26-8 record, qualifying for the postseason for an ECHL record-tying 11th consecutive year. The Express were 2-0-0 at home and 2-2-0 overall against Florida in 2003-04, and are 3-4-0 all-time in the regular season against the Everblades. Florida won its final three games to finish tied for 13th overall with 84 points and a 37-25-10 record. The Everblades, who have not missed the postseason in each of their first six seasons, were 2-0-0 at home and 2-2-0 overall against Roanoke in 2003-04, and are 4-2-1 all-time in the regular season against the Express. Roanoke will host Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Thursday with Game 3 scheduled for Friday at Florida.

Advancing to the postseason for the ninth time in its nine-year history, Louisiana finished fifth overall with 98 points and a 48-22-2 record.

Louisiana had the fourth-best goals against average in league history with 2.32 while allowing the fourth-fewest goals in league history with 167. The IceGators were 5-2-0 at home and 7-5-2 overall against Pensacola in 2003-04, and are 46-22-5 all-time in the regular season against the Ice Pilots. Pensacola finished tied for 11th overall with 89 points and a 40-23-9 record, qualifying for the postseason for the third straight year and the sixth time in its eight years in Pensacola. The Ice Pilots were 5-2-0 at home and 7-7-0 overall against Louisiana in 2003-04, and are 27-41-5 all-time in the regular season against the IceGators. Pensacola defeated Louisiana four games to two in the 1998 Southern Conference Finals to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals where it lost to Hampton Roads four games to two. Louisiana will host Games 1 and 2 on Wednesday and Thursday with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday at Pensacola.

Winning 10 of its last 11 games, Mississippi finished tied for sixth overall with 97 points and a 45-20-7 record, setting team records for points (97) and wins (45). The Sea Wolves have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third season in a row and the sixth time in their eight-year history. Mississippi has advanced to the Southern Conference Finals each of the past two years and won the Kelly Cup in 1999. Mississippi is 1-0-0 at home and 1-1-0 overall against Gwinnett. Qualifying for the postseason in its first season in Georgia, Gwinnett finished 10th overall with 92 points and a 42-22-8 record. The Gladiators, who competed in Mobile from 1995-2002, were 1-0-0 at home and 1-1-0 overall against Mississippi. Mississippi will host Games 1 and 2 on Wednesday and Friday with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday at Gwinnett.


2004 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Schedule


Series A

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Northern Division Wild Card Game

No. 5 Seed Reading (37-25-10) vs. No. 4 Seed Johnstown (45-20-7)


Monday, April 5 Reading at Johnstown 7:05 p.m. ET

Winner advances to meet No. 1 Seed Wheeling


Series B

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Northern Division Semifinals

Winner of Series A vs. No. 1 Seed Wheeling (51-17-4)


If Reading wins Series A
Thursday, April 8 Reading at Wheeling 7:00 p.m. ET
Friday, April 9 Reading at Wheeling 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 10 Wheeling at Reading 7:05 p.m. ET

*Tuesday, April 13 Wheeling at Reading 7:05 p.m. ET
*Wednesday, April 14 Reading at Wheeling 7:00 p.m. ET

If Johnstown wins Series A
Thursday, April 8 Johnstown at Wheeling 7:00 p.m. ET
Friday, April 9 Johnstown at Wheeling 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 10 Wheeling at Johnstown 7:05 p.m. ET

*Tuesday, April 13 Wheeling at Johnstown 7:05 p.m. ET
*Wednesday, April 14 Johnstown at Wheeling 7:00 p.m. ET


Series C

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Northern Division Semifinals

No. 3 Peoria (45-18-9) vs. No. 2 Atlantic City (47-19-6)
Wednesday, April 7 Peoria at Atlantic City 7:05 p.m. ET
Friday, April 9 Peoria at Atlantic City 7:05 p.m. ET
Monday, April 12 Atlantic City at Peoria 7:00 p.m. CT

*Tuesday, April 13 Atlantic City at Peoria 7:00 p.m. CT
*Thursday, April 15 Peoria at Atlantic City 7:05 p.m. ET


Series D

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Southern Division Semifinals

No. 4 South Carolina (39-28-5) vs. No. 1 Columbia (44-20-8)

Tuesday, April 6 South Carolina at Columbia 7:30 p.m. ET
Friday, April 9 South Carolina at Columbia 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 10 Columbia at South Carolina 7:30 p.m. ET

*Tuesday, April 13 Columbia at South Carolina 7:05 p.m. ET
*Wednesday, April 14 South Carolina at Columbia 7:30 p.m. ET


Series E

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Southern Division Semifinals

No. 3 Florida (37-25-10) vs. No. 2 Roanoke (38-26-8)

Tuesday, April 6 Florida at Roanoke 7:05 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 8 Florida at Roanoke 7:05 p.m. ET
Friday, April 9 Roanoke at Florida 7:30 p.m. ET

*Monday, April 12 Roanoke at Florida 7:30 p.m. ET
*Thursday, April 15 Florida at Roanoke 7:05 p.m. ET


Series F

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Central Division Semifinals

No. 4 Pensacola (40-23-9) vs. No. 1 Louisiana (48-22-2)

Wednesday, April 7 Pensacola at Louisiana 7:05 p.m. CT
Thursday, April 8 Pensacola at Louisiana 7:05 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 10 Louisiana at Pensacola 7:05 p.m. CT

*Tuesday, April 13 Louisiana at Pensacola 7:05 p.m. CT
*Wednesday, April 14 Pensacola at Louisiana 7:05 p.m. CT


Series G

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Central Division Semifinals

No. 3 Gwinnett (42-22-8) vs. No. 2 Mississippi (45-20-7
Wednesday, April 7 Gwinnett at Mississippi 7:35 p.m. CT
Friday, April 9 Gwinnett at Mississippi 7:35 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 10 Mississippi at Gwinnett 7:35 p.m. ET

*Monday, April 12 Mississippi at Gwinnett 7:35 p.m. ET
*Wednesday, April 14 Gwinnett at Mississippi 7:05 p.m. CT


Series H

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Pacific Division Semifinals

No. 4 Alaska (38-28-6) vs. No. 1 San Diego (49-13-10)

Tuesday, April 6 Alaska at San Diego 7:05 p.m. PT
Wednesday, April 7 Alaska at San Diego 7:05 p.m. PT
Friday, April 9 San Diego at Alaska 7:00 p.m. AT

*Saturday, April 10 San Diego at Alaska 7:00 p.m. AT
*Tuesday, April 13 Alaska at San Diego 7:05 p.m. PT


Series I

2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs Pacific Division Semifinals

No. 3 Idaho (40-23-9) vs. No. 2 Las Vegas (43-22-7)

Tuesday, April 6 Idaho at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m. PT
Friday, April 9 Idaho at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m. PT
Saturday, April 10 Las Vegas at Idaho 7:05 p.m. MT

*Tuesday, April 13 Las Vegas at Idaho 7:05 p.m. MT
*Wednesday, April 14 Idaho at Las Vegas 8:30 p.m. PT



Attendance Up For First Time Since 1996-97
Drawing 154,703 fans on the final two days of the regular season, the ECHL finished the 2003-04 regular season averaging 3,913 fans per game, increasing its average attendance for the first time since 1996-97.

The ECHL had a season-high 89,193 fans on April 3 surpassing the 88,800 fans it drew on February 28. There were 154,703 fans for April 2-3, the second-highest two-day total this year behind the 164,267 for February 27-28.

Increasing its average attendance for the last 14 weeks of the regular season, the ECHL raised its attendance by more than four percent from its average of 3,750 in 2002-03. The 3,913 fans also exceeds the 3,909 that the ECHL and the West Coast Hockey League combined to average in 2002-03.

The ECHL drew 4,366,824 fans, which is the fourth-largest attendance in its 16-year history and is the sixth time in history that the league has surpassed four million fans.

There were 40 sellout crowds by 15 different teams in 2003-04 and seven teams had multiple sellouts - Idaho (10), Florida (8),

Johnstown (6), Alaska (3), Atlantic City (2) Las Vegas (2) and Reading (2). The other teams with sellouts were Dayton, Greensboro, Greenville, Pensacola, Texas, Toledo, Trenton, and Wheeling. Idaho drew a team record 5,431 on February 28 while Reading had a record crowd of 7,235 on March 12 and Johnstown had a team record 4,191 on November 24.

San Diego drew 10,089 for its last regular season game which was the seventh time in 2003-04 that the ECHL had a crowd over 10,000, including three crowds in Fresno that exceeded 11,000 while Dayton had a team record 10,057 on January 23 and Greensboro drew 10,981 on February 28.

Florida led in total attendance with 223,732 and average attendance with 6,214, the fourth consecutive year that the Everblades have led the league in both total attendance and average attendance. Florida drew a team record 7,386 on January 17 and on January 31 broke its record again with 7,581.

Eight teams increased their attendance from 2002-03 led by Alaska which raised its attendance by more than 42 percent to 4,340 while Roanoke and Johnstown each raised their attendance by more than 13 percent to 2,918 and 2,551, respectively. Mississippi's attendance was up more than seven percent to 3,329 while Columbia raised its attendance by more than four percent to 4,087. Charlotte, Pensacola and Atlantic City also had increases in their average attendance.

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