Stingrays to Face Pee Dee in First Round

March 28, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC The South Carolina Stingrays will meet the Pee Dee Pride in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, which begins next week. It has not yet been determined which team will get home ice for the best of five series. The Stingrays need a win in their last two games or a Pride loss in its last two games for second place and home ice. The two teams will face each other on Saturday night at the Coliseum in a battle, which could be for home ice. Saturday's game is the last game of the regular season for the Stingrays.

"We are excited about facing the Pride in the first round," explained Head Coach Jason Fitzsimmons. "We have matched up with them well this season. It 's a close rivalry that should be entertaining for fans from Charleston and Florence.

The Stingrays have a record of 6-1-1 against Pee Dee this season. This will mark the third time that these two teams have met in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Each team has won one five game series against the other. Each team has a 5-5 all-time playoff record against the other. In 1998, Pee Dee won game five of the Southern Conference Quarterfinals against the Stingrays in Charleston. In 2000, South Carolina won game five of the Southern Conference Quarterfinals against the Pride in Florence.

"Both teams love to play in this type of series," noted Fitzsimmons. "The first round is definitely going to be a battle for us. Pee Dee has played very well heading into the playoffs.

The Stingrays will play in Augusta tonight against the Lynx as they try to lock up home ice. Game time is 7:35.

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