ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Game Preview: Stingrays Open 2014-15 Season Tonight against the Florida Everblades

Published on October 17, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, celebrating 22 seasons of hockey in the Lowcountry, open the 2014-15 season tonight against the Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. Tonight is the first of 11 meetings between to the two division rivals.

Preseason Breakdown:

The Stingrays registered a perfect preseason record (2-0-0-0) last weekend with a 2-1 win against the Gwinnett Gladiators in Alpharetta, Georgia on Friday and a 4-3 victory over the Greenville Road Warriors in North Charleston Saturday evening. Forward Branden Gracel led the team with two goals and forwards Jack Downing (one goal, one assist) and Patrick Gaul (two assists) each had two points.

The Florida Everblades went 1-1-0-0 in two preaseason games against the Orlando Solar Bears last weekend. The Everblades claimed a 3-2 win Friday and fell 4-1 Saturday. Forward Alex Lavoie lead the team with three points (two goals, one assist).

Classic Rivalry:

The Stingrays hold a 70-62-16 all-time record against the Everblades and went 5-4-0-0 last season. The two sides have carried their regular-season skirmishes into the postseason four times, most recently in 2009.

Regular-Season Series at a Glance:

The Stingrays and Everblades collide 11 times during the 2014-15 campaign, tied for the third most common opponent this season. The Stingrays open the new campaign with a pair of contests in Estero, Florida and then host the Everblades for five meetings at the North Charleston Coliseum. The final four games of the series take place back in Germain Arena.

Looking Back:

Forward Wayne Simpson led the Stingrays against the Everblades last season with seven points (five goals, two assists) in nine games including a four-point contest (three goals, one assist) on April 2 in a 6-5 shootout win in Florida. Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis went 3-3-0 in six appearances with a 2.01 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

Facing a Former Teammate

Goaltender Allen York, now with the Everblades, battles against his former team this weekend. Joining the Everblades' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, in the offseason, York appeared in 14 games with the Stingrays last season earning an 8-4-1 record, 2.29 goals-against average and 922 save percentage.

Broadcast Central

Watch: ECHL.TV

Listen Live: ECHL.TV

Twitter: @SCStingrays

Facebook: SCStingraysHockey

The Stingrays continue a season-opening three-game road trip tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, at 7:00 against the Everblades and close the journey on Friday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. against the Greenville Road Warriors at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Stingrays celebrate Opening Night on Saturday, October 25 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum! The world-famous Zooperstars perform all night and the first 5,000 fans receive a Savage Law Firm 2014-15 magnet schedule. Arrive early for the Stingrays Alumni Game at 2:00 p.m. Admission is FREE with your ticket to Opening Night and parking is FREE all day!

Do not miss a second of the action! 2014-15 Stingrays Ticket Plans are on sale NOW! Save money off of box office prices and receive great benefits like FREE parking, Buddy Passes, discounts off of merchandise, advanced ticket purchases to North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center events and more!

2014-2015 Records

South Carolina: 0-0-0-0, 0 points (-- place, East Division, -- place, Eastern Conference)

Florida: 0-0-0-0, 0 points (-- place, East Division, -- Eastern Conference)

South Carolina vs. Florida, 2014-15 Season Schedule (Home Games in Bold, All times Eastern)

Oct. 17 at Florida 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Florida 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 7 vs. Florida 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 14 vs. Florida 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 15 vs. Florida 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 31 vs. Florida 6:05 p.m.

Jan 25 vs. Florida 3:05 p.m.

Jan. 28 at Florida 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 at Florida 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 at Florida 7:00 p.m.

Apr. 4 at Florida 7:00 p.m.

2013-2014 Records

South Carolina: 43-23-2-4, 92 points (1st place, South Division, 3rd Eastern Conference)

Florida: 37-27-3-5, 82 points (4th place, South Division, 9th Eastern Conference)

South Carolina vs. Florida, Head-to-Head in 2013-14

5-4-0-0

Stingrays vs. Florida, All-Time

70-62-16

Head Coaches

South Carolina: Spencer Carbery (4th year)

Florida: Greg Poss (5th year)

NHL Affiliate

South Carolina: Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals

Florida: Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning

AHL Affiliate

South Carolina: Providence Bruins and Hershey Bears

Florida: Charlotte Checkers and Syracuse Crunch

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

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