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ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Kelly Cup Finals Game Preview: Stingrays Clash with Americans in Game 2

June 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays take on the Allen Americans in Game 2 of the 2015 Kelly Cup Finals tonight at 8:05 ET at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. The Stingrays lead the best-of-seven series 1-0

#1 Allen Americans vs. #2 South Carolina Stingrays

Game 1 - Sunday, May 31 at Allen 4-3 Win Box Score Recap

Game 2 - Tuesday, June 2 at 8:05 p.m. ET at Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas

Game 3 - Wednesday, June 3 at 8:05 p.m. ET at Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas

Game 4 - Sunday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. ET at North Charleston Coliseum Tickets

*Game 5 - Tuesday, June 9 at 7:05 p.m. ET at North Charleston Coliseum

*Game 6 - Wednesday, June 10 at 7:05 p.m. ET at North Charleston Coliseum

*Game 7 - Sunday, June 14 at 5:05 p.m. ET at Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas

* - If Necessary

2015 Kelly Cup Finals Matchup Sheet

2015 Kelly Cup Finals Media Guide

Game 2 Game Notes

2014-15 Regular Season Stats

Where Are We Now:

The Stingrays are battling in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time since 2009 and the fourth time in team history, tying an ECHL record. The Stingrays are fighting for a league-record fourth Kelly Cup Championship (1997, 2001, 2009) in a best-of-seven series with the Allen Americans.

Stingrays Looking to the Top:

The Stingrays are one win away from tying the ECHL all-time playoff wins record. The Alaska Aces, who captured the Kelly Cup in 2014, hold the top spot with 98 all-time playoff wins.

Simpson on the Verge of History:

Stingrays forward Wayne Simpson leads the ECHL postseason scoring race with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and is one point away from tying the ECHL record for most playoff points in a single season. Louisiana's John Spoltore (2000) and Richmond's Blaine Moore (1995) each recorded 34 points. Simpson's 22 postseason assists is one behind the Stingrays' Brad Dexter (1997) for all-time single-season postseason assists in team history and sits fourth in ECHL history.

Game 1 Perfection:

With the Game 1 victory over Allen on Sunday night, the Stingrays went a perfect 4-0 in their series-opening contests in the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Stingrays defeated Reading 2-1 in Game 1 of the first round, took down Florida 6-3 in the opening contest of the East Division Finals and edged 2-1 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Shorthanded? No Problem:

Stingrays forward Sean Dolan's shorthanded and game-winning goal in Game 1 is just the 37 shorthanded tally in Kelly/Riley Cup history.

Jakaitis Backstopping the Stingrays:

Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked fourth all-time in ECHL single-season playoff history with 1,337 minutes played. He trails Adam Berkhoel (Dayton in 2007, 1385), Steve Silverthorn (Idaho in 2007, 1388) and Rob Madore (Cincinnati in 2014, 1493). Jakaitis' 13 wins is tied for fourth all-time in ECHL single-season playoff history. And

Game 1 Recap:

After the Americans jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, the Stingrays responded with a tally from forward Andrew Rowe and two goals from forward Wayne Simpson for a 3-1 advantage after one period. The Americans crawled back with a power-play goal in the second period and an early third period marker, but forward Sean Dolan buried the game-winning tally shorthanded to give the Stingrays the Game 1 victory.

Road Warriors in the Lone Star State:

The Stingrays boast the ECHL's best road playoff record at 9-2.

Free Hockey:

The Stingrays are second in the ECHL's postseason with seven overtime appearances (3-4 record). The Stingrays trail the Toledo Walleye, who skated in nine overtime games.

Long Road Through the Kelly Cup Playoffs:

Tonight's game marks the 22st contest for the Stingrays in the 2015 Kelly Cup playoffs, the most games played by a team this playoff season. Including the regular season, tonight is the 94th game of the 2014-15 season.

Kelly Cup Finals Coming Back to South Carolina

The 2015 Kelly Cup Finals is the sixth time that the Finals have been played in South Carolina, the most appearances in any state. The Stingrays appeared in the Finals in 1997, 2001 and 2009. Greenville hosted the Finals in 2002 and Columbia appeared in 2003.

Stingrays Tie Record for Most Finals Appearances

The Stingrays are appearing in their fourth Kelly Cup Finals, tying an ECHL record. The Alaska Aces appeared in their fourth finals last season.

Stingrays' MacKenzie, Ricci and Carbery Look for Second Title

Stingrays defenseman Drew MacKenzie, forward Rob Ricci and head coach Spencer Carbery look to add their name to the Kelly Cup for the second time. MacKenzie was a member of the Alaska Aces championship team in 2014 while Carbery, as a player, and Ricci were with the Stingrays' 2009 title-winning squad.

Scott Ford Has Unfinished Business

Stingrays defenseman Scott Ford skated in the 2007 Kelly Cup Finals with the Dayton Bombers, falling to the Idaho Steelheads in five games.

Allen Looking for Three-Peat:

Including their last two seasons in the Central Hockey League, the Allen Americans are looking to become league champions for a third-straight season. The American's defeated Wichita Thunder in seven games in 2013 and the Denver Cutthroats in five games in 2014 to claim the President's Cup.

Moffie Seeing Red:

Stingrays defenseman Lee Moffie was a member of the Denver Cutthroats squad that feel to the Americans in the CHL's President's Cup Finals.

Watch the Stingrays at Southside 17

Watch the Stingrays take on the Walleye in Game 6 action at Southside 17 at Tanger Outlets! Enjoy great food and drink specials! All drafts and well drinks are $3, $1 off wine and $5 top-shelf drinks! Appetizers are $5! Specials start 30 minutes before puck drop. Details

How We Got Here:

South Carolina Stingrays:

The Stingrays defeated the Reading Royals four games to three in the opening round, scoring three goals in the final period of Game 7 to rally for a 3-2 win. In the second round, the Stingrays jumped out to a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Florida Everblades in the East Division Finals behind two multiple-goal road victories in Game 1 and Game 2 down at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida and a 3-2 triumph in Game 3 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Everblades rejected elimination in Game 4 and Game 5 with triple overtime and double overtime wins to force the series back to Southwest Florida. In Game 6, the Stingrays took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission and added three goals in the final frame to cruise to a 5-2 victory and the series win.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Stingrays raced to a 3-0 series lead on the Toledo Walleye behind 2-1 and 4-3 victories in Game 1 and 2 at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio and a 6-5 overtime win in Game 3 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Walleye fought back with three straight 5-4 wins with Game 5 and 6 decided in overtime. In the decisive Game 7, goaltender Jeff Jakaitis made 44 saves and forward Joe Devin scored the game-winning goal in 5:35 into triple overtime for a 1-0 victory and a ticket to the Kelly Cup Finals.

Allen Americans:

After completing their first-ever ECHL season, the Americans raced through their first-round series with the Tulsa Oilers, four games to one. In the Central Division Finals, the Americans prevailed over the Rapid City Rush 4-2 in a high-scoring series where the two sides combined for 48 goals in six games. The Americans met the Ontario Reign in the Western Conference Finals and yielded a 3-1 series lead to the Pacific Division winners through four games. The Americans cruised to a 6-2 victory in Game 5 and forced a decisive Game 7 behind a 2-1 edging in Game 6. Defenseman Tyler Ludwig opened the scoring 1:18 into the final game and forward Gary Steffes buried the game-winning goal with 48 seconds left in regulation to propel the Americans into the Kelly Cup Finals.

2015-16 Regular-Season Schedule is Here:

The Stingrays, along with the ECHL, announced the 2015-16 regular season schedule. The schedule features six new teams and a rematch of the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals against the Alaska Aces. The schedule also features 33 of 36 home games on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Broadcast Central

Watch: ECHL.TV, Southside 17 at Tanger Outlets

Listen Live: StingraysHockey.com, Caps Radio 24/7

Twitter: @SCStingrays

Facebook: SCStingraysHockey

Game Notes

The Stingrays battle the Americans in Game 3 of the 2015 Kelly Cup Finals on tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3 at 8:05 ET at the Allen Event Center. The Stingrays host the Americans for Game 4 on Sunday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. If necessary, Game 5 is Tuesday, June 9 at 7:05 and Game 6 is Wednesday, June 10 at the Coliseum. Tickets for Game 4 are ON SALE NOW! Buy Tickets

Do not miss a second of the action! 2015-16 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!

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics



ECHL Stories from June 2, 2015


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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