It’s Friday Night, April 11th, in the LowCountry, and the South Carolina Stingrays have officially had a fantastic season. With 69 games played, 50 wins, and 14 losses, garnering them 105 points and being on fire with one regular-season game left to play, breaking the franchise record. The previous record was set in 2017-2018; the prior point record was the 1997 season. When I spoke to Coach Jared Nightingale in November this season, the Stingrays were already on a hot streak. We talked about the potential he saw here and how he wanted this season to go. It was mostly about how much value each player adds to the team and being present. While this momentum saw some intense play, it never faltered.
We all saw December and how it could have changed everything. The team overcame whatever that was and made it out of the month with an almost even win/loss record, notching that win on New Year’s Eve to make it a positive month and a precursor to what was to come. As Billy Mays said, “But wait, there’s more!” They didn’t stop there.
Today, April 11, with one more game to go, the Rays have shown their new coach’s work, words, and who they are; we always knew they could be finishing the regular season with a late-season 15-game hot streak, securing those last points, making them the Brabham Cup and South Divison Champions. Historically, this time, but for the second time in franchise history, the South Carolina Stingrays take home the league championship for points. This is monumental as the Stingrays last saw this cup in the 1996-1997 season with 70 games played, 45 wins, 15 losses, and ten ties. This was the first year of the ECHL, and what it resembles today, making it another joyous occasion when the Stingrays also went on to win the Kelly Cup Championship.
Nightingales are often seen as signs or symbols of resilience and hope, reminding us that, even in the darkest night, we can fight our way out and succeed. The Stingrays and Nightingale meet with the Norfolk Admirals on Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, and finish the season in Greenville with the Swamp Rabbits on the 13th.
The first round of the Kelly Cup Playoff for the Stingrays starts on April 18th, with the puck dropping at 7:05 pm EST.
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