ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Playoff Game Preview: Game 3- South Carolina at Kalamazoo, 7 p.m.

Published on April 18, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


THE MATCHUP

The #2 South Carolina Stingrays continue the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series with the #7 Kalamazoo Wings. South Carolina leads the series, 2-0 after a 5-2 win Saturday night in Game 2. The Stingrays are the all-time ECHL leader in playoff victories and are tied for the most Kelly Cup Championships with three. This is the second time the Stingrays and Wings have met in the postseason with the first meeting coming in the Conference Semifinals in 2012. The Wings took that series, 4-1.

FOUR SCORE

The Stingrays have three players who have scored four points in the opening two games of the series. Forward Caleb Herbert has notched two goals and two assists. Forward Kelly Zajac has scored a goal and three assists, while forward David Pacan has collected four assists. The three players are a combined +11.

TWICE IS NICE

Forward Brett Cameron notched a pair of goals in South Carolina's 5-2 victory on Saturday. Cameron, who struck for 20 goals in his rookie season, scored two goals in a contest for the first time since January 22. Cameron has fired 11 shots in two games in the playoffs.

TAKING THE LEAD

The Stingrays jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 2 en route to the 5-2 win. The only time the Wings have lead in the series was for a span of just 1:31 in Game 1. Ludwig Blomstrand opened the scoring for Kalamazoo, but Kelly Zajac quickly responded to even the score. Since then, the score has either been even, or in favor of South Carolina.

VITEK STEALS THE SHOW

South Carolina netminder Vitek Vancek returned to the team today after making his AHL debut last night with the Hershey Bears. Vanecek, a second round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2014 NHL Draft, was reassigned to Hershey for the club's regular season finale last night. Vanecek stopped 25 shots, and denied both shootout attempts, to lead the Bears to a 2-1 victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Vanecek was named the #1 Star of the Game. He was returned to South Carolina today and has rejoined the team in Kalamazoo.

ONE MORE IN MICHIGAN

Regardless of the result of the series, tonight's game will be the final game of the series in Kalamazoo. After tonight's game, the series will shift back to South Carolina for Games 4-7.

KELLY CUP EXPERIENCE

The Stingrays enter the playoffs with plenty of postseason experience. Six players of the Stingrays' roster were part of the team's run to the Kelly Cup Finals last season, including Derek DeBlois who finished third on the team with 29 points, and Joe Devin, who scored 13 goals in the playoffs. The club also has Bobby Shea on the roster who won a Kelly Cup in 2013 with the Reading Royals.

The Stingrays return home for Game 4 on Thursday, April 21. As the Stingrays chase their fourth Kelly Cup, the club is proud to offer a 4 tickets for $40 special for Game 4. Fans may take advantage of this deal by calling 843-744-2248. Additional tickets are just $10. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a Stingrays Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. featuring $2 beers! Hot dogs will also be $2 all game long.

#2 South Carolina Stingrays (2-0 playoffs, 44-18-7-3 regular season)

VERSUS

#7 Kalamazoo Wings (0-2 playoffs, 38-28-5-1 regular season)

Wings Event Center, 7 p.m.

GAME NOTES:

WATCH: ECHL.tv

LISTEN: Mixlr.com/scstingrayshockey

WATCH PARTY AT KING STREET GRILLE-NORTHWOODS

Fans are encouraged to head to King Street Grille-Northwoods, to catch 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.

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 18, 2016


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