Kelly Cup Finals Preview: Game 4: SC at FW, July 2 at 8 PM
July 2, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
SC Stingrays at Fort Wayne Komets
Kelly Cup Finals Game 4 (Fort Wayne Leads, 2-1)
Friday, July 2, 2021 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum at 8 PM
Broadcast Info: Watch live on FloHockey | Listen via Caps Radio 24/7 & Mixlr
About Tonight's Game: For the second time during the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs the South Carolina Stingrays have their back against the wall heading into a Game 4 on the road. The Fort Wayne Komets have their first opportunity to claim a Kelly Cup Championship at home Friday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum after defeating SC 6-4 in Game 3 on Wednesday. The Komets had the early edge in the series with a lopsided 7-2 win in Game 1 last Friday before the Rays evened the series with a 4-2 decision on Sunday in Game 2. SC is making their ECHL-best sixth appearance in the championship round after capturing the Eastern Conference and the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Trophy after defeating the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in four games. Fort Wayne won the Bruce Taylor Trophy as Western Conference champions to secure their first-ever Kelly Cup Finals appearance by defeating the Allen Americans in overtime last Tuesday for a 3-1 series win. The Komets were the No. 3 seed in the west after finishing the regular season with a .618 points percentage. SC wrapped up the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning their last six games to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Rays have earned a spot in the ECHL's postseason 27 times in the team's 28-year history.
Scouting the Komets: Fort Wayne finished the regular season in third place in the ECHL's Western Conference before defeating Wichita and Allen in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on their way to the championship round. Fort Wayne's offensive attack was led by Brandon Hawkins during the regular season, who posted a team-high 23 goals and 39 points in 37 games. Rookie defender Randy Gazzola was also impressive from the blue line, leading the club with 29 assists and totaling 33 points. In 12 postseason contests, the Komets have been led by Anthony Nellis who has eight goals and 13 points, as well as Stephen Harper who has totaled seven helpers and 11 points. In net, Dylan Ferguson has started all 12 playoff games after appearing in 11 regular season contests and earning a 1.96 goals-against average. Ferguson has a 3.10 GAA in postseason play.
Kelly Cup Finals Schedule
Game 1 - Fort Wayne 7, South Carolina 2
Game 2 - South Carolina 4, Fort Wayne 2
Game 3 - Fort Wayne 6, South Carolina 4
Game 4 - South Carolina at Fort Wayne - Friday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m.
*Game 5 - South Carolina at Fort Wayne - Saturday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m.
*if necessary
ECHL Stories from July 2, 2021
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- Beauregard Wins Wichita Professional Athlete of the Year - Wichita Thunder
- Kelly Cup Finals Preview: Game 4: SC at FW, July 2 at 8 PM - South Carolina Stingrays
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