 |
POWER
PLAY |
22ND
- 13.9 |
PENALTY
KILL |
2ND
- 86.5 |
FORWARDS |
JEFF
MILES |
29-47-76
(-7) |
DANIEL
SPARRE |
28-26-54
(-7) |
BRAD
RALPH |
18-31-49
(+1) |
DEFENSEMEN |
ERIC
LUNDBERG |
3-27-30
(-9) |
TODD
PERRY |
6-22-28
(-1) |
REID
CASHMAN |
5-22-27
(0) |
GOALTENDERS |
TODD
FORD |
21-14-4
(2 SO)
3.01 GA
.906 PCT |
|
JEFF
JAKAITIS |
12-14-1
(2 SO)
2.92 GA
.909 PCT |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Columbia
vs South Carolina |
|
|
SCHEDULE |
|
1 |
APR.
27 |
COLUMBIA
1 - S. CAROLINA 2 |
SEED
5 |
2 |
APR.
29 |
COLUMBIA
2 - S. CAROLINA
5 |
SEED
2 |
33-28-5
(77) |
3 |
MAY
2 |
S.
CAROLINA 3 - COLUMBIA 5 |
47-22-2
(97) |
| |
4 |
MAY
3 |
S.
CAROLINA 2 - COLUMBIA 3
(OT) |
|
| |
5 |
MAY
5 |
COLUMBIA
0 - S. CAROLINA 2 |
|
|
South
Carolina Wins Series 3-2 |
|
SERIES
PREVIEW |
| |
South
Carolina Stingrays (defeated the Augusta Lynx 3-2, defeated
Gwinnett Gladiators 3-2)
The Stingrays are 34-23-5 all-time against Columbia and
were 7-3-0 overall this season (3-2-0 at home).
Series note - The Stingrays and Inferno have only
met once in Kelly Cup Playoffs history with South Carolina
winning in four games in the 2004 division semifinals.
Forwards: The line of Trent Campbell, Marty Guerin
and Stephen Werner continue their fine play on offense
to lead the Stingrays into the South Division finals.
Campbell and Guerin are in the Top 20 players in playoff
scoring. Guerin is tied for ninth with 5 goals and 4 assists.
Campbell is tied for seventeenth with 3 goals and 5 assists.
Defense: Rookie Sean Collins is tied for third
in scoring by a all ECHL defensemen in the playoffs with
one goal and 5 assists. Collins is one of four rookies
on defense for the Stingrays.
Goalies: South Carolina’s rookie goaltender Josh
Johnson continues to have a great playoff run with a goals
against average of 2.07 and a .931 save percentage. Davis
Parley has played in 5 games, while Johnson has played
in 6 games for the Stingrays.
Columbia Inferno (defeated the Florida Everblades 3-0,
defeated the Texas Wildcatters 3-2)
Columbia Inferno will look to ride the momentum gained
with their thrilling 3-2 series win over Texas Wildcatters.
In form netminder Todd Ford will once again have to be
on top of his game against the number two seed Stingrays.
Ford has been terrific between the pipes and is currently
third in the Kelly Cup standings with a goals against
average of 1.87.
Daniel Sparre and Mac Faulkner are currently tied with
four goals each but as the Inferno have shown goals can
come from anywhere with eleven different players scoring
in the playoffs so far. Steve McJannet is thriving on
the top line registering seven assists and one goal and
will be a major threat to the Stingrays.
Defense will be key for the Inferno, Reid Cashman points
tally sits at six and the Inferno will look for him to
be a work horse at the blueline especially with the threat
of goals from playoff-leading Travis Morin.
Coming into the series the Inferno will once again be
underdogs but as they have shown they are not just here
to make up the numbers and have definitely earned their
division final spot.
Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
|
|
| Game
1 |
Columbia
1 - S. Carolina 2 |
|
by Brian Jennings
- PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
S.
Carolina Leads Series 1-0 |
N.
Charleston, SC - The South Carolina Stingrays
got the game-winning goal on Steve Pinizzotto’s first
goal of the playoffs 1:31 into the third period as the
Stingrays took Game 1 2-1, and a 1-0 series lead in the
ECHL’s South Division finals. The series is a best-of-five.
Marty Guerin, who has been arguably the Stingrays best
player so far in the playoffs, scored on the power play
4:41 into the second period after a scoreless first period
that saw Columbia outshoot South Carolina 11-10. Guerin’s
goal was his sixth of the playoffs.
Columbia would get even on Daniel Sparre’s fifth of the
playoffs at even strength to tied the game at 1-1. The
second period ended that way until Pinizzotto’s goal in
the third period.
Pinizzoto, recently assigned from the Hershey Bears, the
Stingrays AHL affiliate, scored the game-winner getting
assists from Stephan Werner and Trent Campbell. South
Carolina dominated play in the final two periods out-shooting
Columbia 27-11, and 37-22 in the game.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
|
|
| Game
2 |
Columbia
2 - S. Carolina 5 |
| by
Phil Brand - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
S.
Carolina Leads Series 1-0 |
N.
Charleston, SC - The South Carolina Stingrays
out shot the Columbia Inferno 40 to 17 before a boisterous
crowd of 2,851 fans in route to a 5-2 win in the second
game of their five-game-series. The win ran the Stingray’s
home record to 8-0 thus far in the ECHL playoffs. The
Stingrays Marty Guerin, who now leads all ECHL playoff
scorers with nine goals and four assists for thirteen
points, continued his hot streak by scoring three goals.
Guerin’s hat trick capped a four-goal outburst by his
line consisting of AHL returnees Steve Werner, who recorded
an assist and Andrew Gordon who scored an early first
period short-handed goal and later added an assist on
the night. Travis Morin, who now has seven goals in the
playoffs, contributed the other Stingrays goal. South
Carolina had jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on
Gordon’s short handed goal at the 5:10 mark and then scored
again on a power play strike by Guerin just past the mid-way
point of the first period.
However, despite being dominated in the initial period,
trailing by two goals and only mustering six shots in
period two, Columbia got back into the game with two unanswered
second period scores. Reid Cashman brought Columbia within
one at 7:38 of the second period with his second playoff
goal and Mac Faulkner scored his fifth playoff goal with
a savage one-timer shot immediately off a face off in
the offensive zone while on the power play less than five
minutes later. This led Columbia back to a 2-2 tie through
two periods.
Two goals by Guerin and Morin within the first seven minutes
of period three however, quickly put the game out of reach
and Guerin’s third goal with just over four minutes left
coupled with a series of frustration generated penalties
kept Columbia off the scoreboard as the Inferno only generated
five shots while largely playing shorthanded during much
of the final period.
The best-of-five series now moves to Columbia for back
to back games on Friday May 2 and if needed on Saturday
May 3. Should a game five be required the series will
return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Monday May
5.
|
|
| Game
3 |
S.
Carolina 3 - Columbia 5 |
| by
Phil Brand - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
S.
Carolina Leads Series 2-1 |
Columbia,
SC - The Columbia Inferno played "staying alive"
by defeating the South Carolina Stingrays at home 5-3
before 1,664 fans at the Carolina Coliseum Friday night.
South Carolina fans made up about thirty percent of the
crowd and saw the Stingrays pattern in these playoffs
of not being able to win on the road continued with the
loss. While they are a perfect 8-0 at home, this was their
fifth loss against no wins on the road in this year’s
playoffs. The Inferno win extends the series to at least
a Game 4 which is scheduled for 7:05 PM Saturday night
again in Columbia.
Staying alive has a double meaning for the Inferno as
another loss in this series will not only end their playoff
run but also turn out the lights on the franchise for
at least next season as the team has announced a suspension
of operations for the 2008-2009 season.
The teams traded power play goals in period one with both
teams scoring two power play goals each. The Inferno struck
quickly at 2:22 of the first period on a power play when
Daniel Sparre tallied his sixth goal of the playoffs by
lifting a rebound off a shot by Steve McJannet into the
top of the net. Mac Faulkner who finished with three assists
on the night also recorded a point with an assist on this
first goal.
Travis Morin tied it up for Stingrays about seven and
half minutes later also on their first power play of the
evening. This was the first of two goals for Morin who
now has nine in the playoffs. Morin struck again at the
16:15 mark to give his team their only lead of the night.
The Inferno’s Jeff Miles then scored with only 12 seconds
left in period to tie it up while the Stingrays were at
a two-man disadvantage.
The teams again traded goals in period two as Liam Huculak
reclaimed the Inferno’s lead early when he took a pass
from Reid Cashman and scored on a slap shot from way out
high in the slot through traffic. This goal early in the
second period came almost as quickly as Sparre’s goal
in the first period occurring at 2:28 of period two. The
Stingrays answered when Trent Campbell skated in alone
while the Stingrays were short-handed and scored an unassisted
goal to tie the game 3-3 at 11:13 of the second period.
The third period opened up with both teams having several
excellent opportunities. The Inferno outshot the Stingrays
14-12 in the third period. However, goalie Todd Ford was
excellent in stopping a number of point blank shots that
preserved the tie for Columbia until center Peter Tsimikalis
blasted a shot past goal tender Davis Parley to give Columbia
a 4-3 lead at 15:11. This winning goal was unassisted.
Tsimkalis won the faceoff and almost simultaneously powered
the puck past Parley. Tsimikalis then assured the win
by scoring into an empty net at 19:45 of the final period
with his second goal.
Parley finished with 33 saves on 37 shots in a losing
effort, while Ford stopped 36 of 39 for the win. The Inferno
which was held to only 17 shots in game two found their
offense balancing their 39 shots across all three periods.
Another Inferno win Saturday night would tie the series
and send the teams into a fifth winner-take-all game back
in North Charleston, SC on Tuesday May 5.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
|
|
| Game
4 |
S.
Carolina 2 - Columbia 3 (OT) |
|
by Phil Brand - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
Series
Tied 2-2 |
Columbia,
SC - The Columbia Inferno continued to frustrate
the South Carolina Stingrays who simply cannot win on
the road in the 2008 playoffs. A large Stingrays’ contingent
among the 1,131 fans saw the Stingrays lose their sixth
straight road game. The Inferno’s overtime win was initially
possible by an outstanding performance by goalie Todd
Ford during regulation time. Continuing his overall excellence
in the entire playoffs, Ford kept Columbia in the game
and playoffs by stopping 29 of 31shots through three periods.
The Inferno scored the winner at 2:27 of the overtime
period with Reid Cashman providing the winning goal. While
the goal was credited to Cashman, his shot was initially
saved by Stingrays goalie Josh Johnson. However, after
the save, Johnson accidently kicked the puck into his
own net with his skate while trying to cover up on the
initial shot. Coach Jared Bednar started Johnson in goal
in place of Davis Parley who had started all of the other
games in this series for South Carolina.
The Stingrays dominated regular time limiting the Inferno
to just fourteen shots but lost two separate leads in
this game and have now failed to closeout two series where
they had 2-0 series leads. Despite their dominance in
this game they were stopped by Ford’s performance. He
stopped shot after shot and to their credit, the rest
of the Inferno didn’t quit. If they win Game 5, a second
period point-blank save by Ford on Travis Morin, who has
nine goals in the playoffs, may turn out to be a save
that turned this series around for Columbia.
Still, Stingrays’ captain Cail MacLean appeared to have
given the Stingrays the win with his second goal at 14:41
in the third period. His first goal had given the Stingrays
a 1-0 lead late in the first period. This lead lasted
until the 9:00 minute mark of the third period when Jeff
Miles used a wrist shot over Johnson’s shoulder to tie
the game for Columbia. This goal was Miles’ fourth of
the playoffs.
MacLean’s two goals were his first in what has been a
quiet playoff series for one of the Stingrays’ most dependable
veterans. Earlier, he missed a hat trick when a goal was
disallowed as it came off of a high stick.
After taking 2-1 lead on MacLean’s second goal, an ill-timed
slashing penalty by Marty Guerin gave the Inferno a late
power play with less than two and one-half minutes left
in regulation time. Daniel Sparre then scored the tying
goal at 18.51 of period three and sent the game into overtime.
Once in overtime it didn’t take long for the Inferno to
tie the series and set up game five.
The Inferno, who eliminated favorites Florida and Texas
in earlier rounds of the playoffs, now have the chance
to eliminate the Stingrays. All of these teams finished
ahead of the Inferno in the regular season standings.
Despite the fact that Columbia is suspending operations
at the end of the season, the players continue to demonstrate
that they can focus on playing hockey regardless of the
off ice distraction.
The series now moves back to North Charleston Coliseum
and sets up the winner take all fifth game on Monday,
May 5.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
|
|
| Game
5 |
Columbia 0 - S. Carolina 2 |
|
by Phil Brand - PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM |
S.
Carolina Wins Series 3-2 |
N.
Charleston, SC - Goaltender Davis Parley stopped
all twenty three shots he faced in a 2-0 Stingrays win
over the Columbia Inferno in the fifth and deciding game
of their third round playoff series. The Stingrays have
now had to go the fifth and final game in each of the
first three rounds. They have survived to date solely
because of their home ice advantage. They have now won
nine straight games at home in the playoffs, while losing
all of their road games.
Parley was awarded the number one star of the game as
he played with extreme confidence backed by a strong Stingrays
defensive effort. This was his second shutout in a decisive
Game 5 of the playoffs. He also won against Gwinnett in
the second round when he blanked the Gladiators. Todd
Ford, the Columbia goalie who played so well throughout
the series was again excellent in a losing effort.
The Inferno now exits the playoffs after having beaten
Florida and Texas and taking the Stingrays to a fifth
and final game. Unfortunately, they also exit the ECHL
for at least a year. The team has been granted a one year
hiatus while they attempt to find a better facility than
the Carolina Coliseum with its non-standard ice surface.
Hopefully, for the sake of the intense rivalry between
the two South Carolina ECHL teams they will resume play
in Columbia at some point.
The Stingrays victory featured goals by Steve Werner in
period one, his fifth of the playoffs and Travis Morin
who netted his tenth goal of the playoffs in the second
period. Werner’s goal came off a rebound of a shot by
Matt Smith. Patrick McNeill also assisted on the goal
which came early at 2:40 of period one. Inferno right
winger Liam Huculak was sent off for boarding which created
the power play opportunity.
Morin’s goal also came off a rebound at 6:52 of period
two on assists from Cail MacLean and Chris Chaput. Morin
now leads all ECHL playoff scorers in goals. On the night,
Columbia failed to score on six power play chances while
the Stingrays scored once on four power play attempts.
While there was no scoring there was lots of tension in
period three especially when the Stingrays, nursing the
two goal lead, saw Morin called for slashing at the 18:49
mark. Columbia Coach Troy Mann pulled his goalie and the
Inferno finished the game with six-on-four skaters.
This late third period penalty seemed like déjà vu to
many of the Stingrays fans who were also in Columbia last
Saturday night. In that game, the Stingrays were leading
2-1 with 2:30 left in the game when a slashing penalty
gave Columbia a power play that led to the tying goal
and eventually a win in overtime forcing this Game 5.
However, most of the 3,055 fans in attendance were able
to celebrate the victory and a trip to the conference
finals as the Stingrays killed off the penalty this time.
Coach Jared Bednar in his post game discussion expressed
amazement at the fact that “his team while playing so
well at home has yet to record a victory on the road.”
The test and requirement to overcome that history will
come soon. The Stingrays will face the Cincinnati Cyclones
for the conference championship. The Stingrays will not
have home-ice advantage against the Cyclones the team
that had the best overall record in the ECHL.
The win moves South Carolina into the finals of the ECHL
American Conference for the first time since 2001 when
they went on to win the Kelly Cup. The conference finals,
a best-of-seven games series commences with games on Friday
and Saturday in Cincinnati.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
POWER
PLAY |
5TH
- 20.4 |
PENALTY
KILL |
4TH
- 85.0 |
FORWARDS |
TRAVIS
MORIN |
34-50-84
(+16) |
CHRIS
CHAPUT |
25-38-63
(+4) |
PIERRE-LUC
O'BRIEN |
13-44-57
(+15) |
DEFENSEMEN |
NATE
KISER |
5-22-27
(+13) |
SCOTT
ROMFO |
7-16-23
(+10) |
SEAN
COLLINS |
1-13-14
(+7) |
GOALTENDERS |
DAVIS
PARLEY |
24-9-2
(4 SO)
2.30 GA
.924 PCT |
|
JOSH
JOHNSON |
23-13-0
(2 SO)
2.80 GA
.908 PCT |
|
|
|
