Sports stats



ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Kelly Cup Finals Game Preview: Stingrays Return Home for Kelly Cup Finals Game 4

June 7, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays return to the North Charleston Coliseum tonight for Game 4 of the Kelly Cup Finals against the Allen Americans at 7:05. The Stingrays lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

#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 Allen 5-2 Loss Box Score Recap

Game 3 - Wednesday, June 3 at Allen 4-1 Win Box Score Recap

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 Tickets

*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 4 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.

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.

Game 2 Recap:

Behind two second-period goals from forward Gary Steffes and a goal and an assist from forward Dyson Stevenson, the Allen Americans evened the best-of-seven series with a 5-2 victory in Game 2. Defenseman Scott Ford and forward Sean Dolan lit the lamp for the Stingrays in the loss.

Game 3 Recap:

Defenseman Michal Cajkovsky broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period and forwards Wayne Simpson (one goal, two assists) and Andrew Rowe (two goals, one assist) recorded three-point games to send the Stingrays over the Americans 4-1. Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis made 39 saves in the win.

All I Do Is Win:

With the Game 3 win over the Americans, the Stingrays tied the ECHL all-time playoff wins record at 98. The Alaska Aces, who captured the Kelly Cup in 2014, share the top spot with the Stingrays.

Simpson Makes ECHL History:

With his three-point performance in Game 3, forward Wayne Simpson set a new ECHL single-season playoff record with 36 total points (12 goals, 24 assists), passing Louisiana's John Spoltore (2000) and Richmond's Blaine Moore (1995) who recorded 34 points. Simpson's 24 postseason assists is tied for second all-time in a single season with Cincinnati's David Desharnais (2008) and two assists behind Spoltore (2000).

Jakaitis Backstopping the Stingrays:

Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked second all-time in ECHL single-season playoff history with 1,437 minutes played. He trails former Stingrays goaltender Rob Madore (Cincinnati in 2014, 1493). Jakaitis' 14 wins is tied for third all-time in ECHL single-season playoff history.

Roweing Through the Playoffs:

Stingrays forward Andrew Rowe's 14 playoff goals this season are the most since Greenville's Simon Gamache scored 15 in 2002.

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 24st 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 96th 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.

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

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

Twitter: @SCStingrays

Facebook: SCStingraysHockey

Game Notes

The Stingrays host the Americans for Game 5 on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. Parking is FREE and enjoy $2 beer! If necessary, Game 6 is Wednesday, June 10 at the Coliseum. 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!

2014-15 Postseason Record

South Carolina: 14-9, 3-4 in Overtime

Allen: 13-8, 1-0 in Overtime

All-Time Postseason Records

South Carolina: 98-90, 22-24 in Overtime

Allen: 13-8, 1-0 in Overtime

2014-2015 Records

South Carolina: 45-20-1-6, 97 points (2nd place, East Division)

Allen: 48-14-6-4, 106 points (1st place, Central Division)

2013-2014 Records

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

Allen: 39-22-1-4, 83 points (in Central Hockey League)

Head Coaches

South Carolina: Spencer Carbery (4th year)

Toledo: Steve Martinson (3rd year, 1st with ECHL's Americans)

NHL Affiliate

South Carolina: Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals

Allen: San Jose Sharks

AHL Affiliate

South Carolina: Providence Bruins and Hershey Bears

Allen: Worcester Sharks

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics



ECHL Stories from June 7, 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.

OurSports Central