Conference Finals Trophies Up for Grabs

April 29, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. – The winner of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs will receive the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy while the winner of the Western Conference Finals of the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs will receive the Bruce Taylor Trophy.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, Florida holds a 1-0 lead over Reading with Game 2 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Florida and Game 3 scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday at Reading. In the Western Conference Finals, the series between Idaho and Gwinnett is tied 1-1 with Game 3 scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MT at Idaho on Saturday and Game 4 scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MT at Idaho on Wednesday.

The E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy is named in recognition of E.A. "Bud" Gingher, who was Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors from 1992-95. Gingher, who passed away in 2002, co-founded the Dayton Bombers in 1991 and owned the team for seven seasons, serving as President and Governor until selling the team in 1998. Beginning in 1997-98, the trophy was awarded to the playoff champion of the Northern Conference in the ECHL. The first recipient of the trophy following its renaming was the Dayton Bombers in 2001-02. With the restructuring of the league divisional alignment beginning in 2003-04, the trophy has been designated for the playoff champion of the Eastern Conference.

The Bruce Taylor Trophy is named in recognition of Bruce Taylor, who was the founding father of the West Coast Hockey League. In the early 1990s, Taylor purchased teams in Fresno, Reno and Bakersfield and in 1995 joined them with teams in Anchorage, Fairbanks and San Diego to form the West Coast Hockey League, which played for eight seasons before ceasing operation at the conclusion of the 2002-03 season. With the restructuring of the league divisional alignment beginning in 2003-04, the trophy has been renamed and designated for the playoff champion of the Western Conference.

ECHL Stories from April 29, 2004

• Conference Finals Trophies Up for Grabs - ECHL
• Idaho Governor Proclaims Idaho Steelheads Week - ECHL
• Lynx To Make Major Announcement - Augusta Lynx
• Steelheads to throw Block Party Friday night - Idaho Steelheads
• Brian Kelley Resigns as General Manger - Louisiana IceGators
• Today In The ECHL - ECHL
• Steelheads drop game two, 3-1, earn split in Georgia - Idaho Steelheads
• Zepp, Everblades Blank Royals, 1-0 - Reading Royals

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