
Pride/Stingrays to renew rivalry in playoffs
March 29, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release
FLORENCE, SC â The Pee Dee Pride will open the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs Southeast Division Semifinals against their arch-rivals, the South Carolina Stingrays, on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. By virtue of a 3-2 win over Augusta last night, the Stingrays will have home-ice advantage in the series.
The Pride's first home game in the series will be game two on Friday, April 4 at 7:30. Game three takes place at North Charleston on Saturday, April 5 at 7:30. Game four, if necessary, will be in Florence on Monday, April 7 at 7:00, and the fifth and deciding game will be in North Charleston on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00.
This is the Pride's sixth post-season berth in their six-year history in Florence. It is the third time in those six seasons that Pee Dee and South Carolina will meet in the playoffs. Both series have gone the full five games, and the team with home-ice advantage has lost both meetings. In their inaugural season of 1997-98, the Pride used a furious third-period rally, and downed the Stingrays in overtime in North Charleston to move onto the second round. South Carolina returned the favor in 1999-2000, as the Stingrays came back from a 2 games to 1 deficit, and won game five in overtime in the Lion's Den. Entering tonight's game against the Stingrays, the Pride are 2-4-2 against South Carolina (1-1-2 at home and 1-3-0 on the road), while South Carolina is 6-1-1 against Pee Dee (3-0-1 at home and 3-1-0 on the road).
In each of the last two seasons, the Pride have advanced to the second round of the playoffs, before being eliminated. Last season, Pee Dee defeated Columbia 3 games to 2 in the Southeast Division Semifinals, before losing to the eventual Kelly-Cup Champion Greenville Grrrowl 3 games to 1 in the Southeast Division Finals. Over the previous five seasons, the Pride have posted a 21-24 record in the playoffs. The Knoxville/Pee Dee franchise has qualified for the playoffs 11 times in its 15-year history, tied with Hampton Roads and Dayton for the most appearances in East Coast Hockey League history.
Individual game tickets for the Pride's first home game (Game A) in the Southeast Division Semifinals, game two of the series, are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Florence Civic Center Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (843) 679-9333 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Pee Dee wraps up its 2002-2003 regular season with a pair of road games this weekend. Tonight, it's a playoff preview as the Pride are in North Charleston for a 7:30 face off with the Stingrays. Tomorrow afternoon, the Pride journey to Augusta for a 4:05 matinee with the Lynx. Both games can be heard on WDAR Sunny 105.5 with the Voice of the Pride Joe Babik starting with the Palmetto Chiropractic Pre-Game Show 20 minutes prior to game time.
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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.
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