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ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Game Preview: Orlando at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m.

April 1, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


TONIGHT'S PROMOTION

Tonight is SAIC/USO Night featuring a Drawstring Bag Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans at 7:05 p.m. versus Orlando. Fans are asked to please bring treats, such as Rice Krispies, Slim Jims and nuts (peanuts, cashews and almonds) to the USO table outside of Section 113 to help support the troops! Tonight is also a Rays 4 Pack Night, featuring 4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs and one large popcorn for just $65!

THE MATCHUP

The South Carolina Stingrays will face off against the Orlando Solar Bears for the seventh time this season and the third time on home ice. The last time the Stingrays played the Solar Bears was on December 29 and in that contest, South Carolina came out with the 5-3 win in Orlando. The two teams meet again tomorrow for the Stingrays final home game of the regular season. South Carolina has already clinched a playoff spot in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

PLAYOFF PUSH

Entering tonight's game, the South Carolina Stingrays and the Orlando Solar Bears both have a lot to play for. The Stingrays (89 points) enter tonight's game just two points behind Eastern Conference leading Toledo (91 points) through 67 games. The Stingrays are also just one point ahead of Florida (88 points) for the South Division lead. Florida has only played 66 games, one less than South Carolina. While South Carolina has clinched a playoff berth, Orlando is fighting for a spot in the post-season. The Solar Bears (71 points) are currently in 10th place, five points behind 8th place Elmira (76 points) for the final playoff spot. The Solar Bears have two games-in-hand on Elmira.

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG

Tonight's matchup is the first between the Solar Bears and the Stingrays since December 29, 2015. The Stingrays have also not hosted the Solar Bears since November 13-14 as the last four games of the season series were played at the Amway Center in Orlando. Since Orlando joined the ECHL in 2012, the Stingrays have dominated the season series, going 23-5-3-4 versus its rival. They are 5-0-0-1 this year versus the Solar Bears.

PACAN DELIGHT

South Carolina forward David Pacan loves to play the Solar Bears. In six games this season versus Orlando, Pacan has struck for seven points (five goals, two assists). Pacan is third on the team with 19 goals and will look to hit the 20 goal mark for the first time in his professional career this evening.

PENALTY KILL SPECIALISTS

Tonight's game matches the league's top ranked home penalty kill, South Carolina (88.6%), versus the top road penalty kill, Orlando (88.3%). South Carolina boasts the top penalty kill overall in the league at 87.4% while Orlando is 14th at 84.2%.

BRING THE HEAT, KELLY

In Tuesday's contest against the Atlanta Gladiators, Stingrays forward Kelly Zajac struck for a season-best three points, notching one goal and two assists, including his sixth goal of the season. Zajac currently has 10 assists in addition to his six goals for a combined 16 points in 16 games since joining the Stingrays.

WE SEE YOU, DEREK

Hours after being returned to the Stingrays from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League (AHL), forward Derek DeBlois scored the opening goal of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Gladiators. On the season, DeBlois has six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 18 games with the Stingrays.

WANNA GO?

In Tuesday night's matchup against the Atlanta Gladiators, the two teams combined for a total of 106 penalty minutes, 77 of those going to Stingrays players. In the third period alone, there were 14 penalties handed out.

TONIGHT'S GAME

Orlando Solar Bears

(31-26-4-5, 71 points, 10th Eastern Conference, 3rd South Division)

VERSUS

South Carolina Stingrays

(40-18-6-3, 89 points, 2nd Eastern Conference, 1st South Division)

North Charleston Coliseum, 7:05 p.m.

WATCH/LISTEN MEDIA OPTIONS

WATCH: ECHL.tv

LISTEN: Mixlr.com/scstingrayshockey

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 1, 2016


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