Sports stats



ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

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

April 6, 2016 - 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 tonight's game. 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.

TONIGHT'S GAME

The South Carolina Stingrays travel to Atlanta tonight and battle the Gladiators in the last regular season match-up between the two teams. In the most recent meeting, the Stingrays came out on top with the 4-2 win on March 29 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Kelly Zajac notched three points (one goal, two assists) and Derek DeBlois scored in his first game back from the AHL. In the game, there were also 106 penalty minutes issued, with 77 of those called on the Stingrays. The Stingrays are 8-3-1-0 versus Atlanta this season and are 9-0-3-1 in the past 13 games.

SOUTH DIVISION TITLE ON THE LINE

The South Carolina Stingrays hold a two point lead over the Florida Everblades for the top spot in the South Division. Through 69 games, the Stingrays have 92 points while Florida has 90 points. The Stingrays play in Atlanta tonight and visit Norfolk on Friday and Saturday, while Florida plays Orlando three more times this week.

PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

The Stingrays have clinched a berth in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. With three games left in the regular season this week, playoff dates, opponents and times are still to be determined. However, if the post-season started today, the Stingrays would be the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference and play the Wheeling Nailers, the #7 seed. The Stingrays enter this week five points behind Eastern Conference leading Toledo. Home playoff dates have been announced for South Carolina, and the club will host Game 4 of the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 21 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Stingrays will also host Games 5, 6 and 7, if necessary. A complete schedule is available HERE.

VANECEK DOES IT AGAIN

Goaltender Vitek Vanecek was named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March. Vanecek, a Washington Capitals prospect, had a stellar month with a 6-0-1-0 record, a 1.27 goals-against-average and a .949 save percentage. He also earned two shutouts in his seven appearances, helping the Stingrays to an 8-0-2-1 record in March. Vanecek, 20, is unbeaten in regulation since January 23. This is the third time Vanecek has earned league honors, as he was previously named the CCM Hockey ECHL Rookie of the Month for November and the CCM Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for March 7-13.

JUST ADD SAUCE

Defenseman Colton Saucerman's professional debut was one to remember. Saucerman scored his first professional goal in his first professional game in last Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Orlando Solar Bears. Saucerman, 23, joined the Stingrays after a four-year NCAA career at Northeastern University where he helped lead Northeastern to a Hockey East Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Saucerman finished his NCAA season with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 40 games from the blue line and was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team.

FINISHING THE SEASON OFF

After tonight's match-up against the Gladiators, the Stingrays travel to Norfolk to take on the Admirals in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. Norfolk is currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with 63 points and a 29-35-4-1 record. Against the Admirals, the Stingrays are 4-2-0-0 this season.

TONIGHT'S GAME

South Carolina Stingrays

(41-18-7-3, 92 points, 2nd Eastern Conference, 1st South Division)

VERSUS

Atlanta Gladiators

(33-29-5-2, 73 points, 11th 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

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from April 6, 2016


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.

OurSports Central