ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

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

Published on March 24, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


WATCH PARTIES AT KING STREET GRILLE-NORTHWOODS

King Street Grille-Northwoods has become the Watch Party Destination for Stingrays road games during the 2015-2016 season, including games in Atlanta this week. Fans 21 and up may enjoy a special offer of $3 Drafts, including Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shocktop and Landshark during all Stingrays Watch Parties at King Street Grille.

CHANCE TO CLINCH

A victory this evening in either regulation or overtime would help South Carolina clinch a playoff position. The Stingrays have made the playoffs in 21 of the club's 22 seasons in the Lowcountry and will look to add to that mark with a win this evening.

THE MATCHUP

The South Carolina Stingrays open the first of the three straight games versus the Atlanta Gladiators this evening. After meeting for two feisty games in North Charleston on March 11-12, the clubs battle this evening and Saturday in Atlanta, and Tuesday in South Carolina. The Stingrays enter tonight's game in first place in the South Division and second place in the Eastern Conference, only three points behind Toledo. Atlanta is fighting for one of the final playoff positions, sitting five points behind 8th place Elmira for the final playoff spot. South Carolina forward Stephan Vigier leads both teams in the season series with eight points (three goals, five assists) in nine games.

HERBERT AND KRUGER ADDED

The Stingrays announced forward Caleb Herbert has been reassigned to the Stingrays from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team has also signed goalie Jimmy Kruger to an Amateur Tryout Agreement. Kruger, 23, just completed his four-year collegiate career at Dartmouth College. He appeared in 44 games for the Big Green, including 26 contests in his junior year during the 2014-15 campaign. That season, Kruger posted a 13-9-4 record, setting Dartmouth single-season records with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .926 save-percentage. He has joined the team and will wear #29. Herbert is set to rejoin the Stingrays for the second time this season.

RED-HOT RAYS

South Carolina has been one of the ECHL's top teams of late, going 7-1-1-1 in the past 10 games to move into first place in the South Division and into second place in the Eastern Conference. The Stingrays have collected points in eight straight contests and went 4-0-0-1 during a five-game homestand prior to tonight's contest. Atlanta is on the opposite side of things heading into tonight's game, going 1-8-1-0 in the past 10 contests.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The South Carolina Stingrays seem to have the Atlanta Gladiators number of late. The club has won four straight contests versus Atlanta and is 6-3-0-0 in the season series. Over the past five seasons the Stingrays have collected 43 wins versus the rival Gladiators, but only 17 of them have come in Atlanta. This year, South Carolina has won two of four contests in Atlanta.

CZECH IT OUT

With netminder Mark Dekanich recalled to Hershey, Czech Republic-born goalie Vitek Vanecek will look to carry the workload for the Stingrays. Vanecek, the ECHL Goaltender of the Week last week, has won eight straight starts and has not lost in regulation since January 23. He is 3-1-0-0 versus Atlanta this season with 1.77 goals-against average and a .931 save-percentage.

FIRE AWAY VIGIER

Forward Stephan Vigier has had at least one shot on goal in 29 straight games, dating back to January 10. He has 15 goals during that streak and leads the club with 23 goals.

TONIGHT'S GAME

South Carolina Stingrays

(38-18-5-3, 84 points, 2nd Eastern Conference, 1st South Division)

VERSUS

Atlanta Gladiators

(30-27-5-2, 67 points, 10th Eastern Conference, 4th South Division)

Infinite Energy Arena, 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 March 24, 2016


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