ECHL: South Division Recap | Week 11

This week in the South Division was full of excitement and movement in the standings! Teams are gearing up for the next phase of the season, with some making significant strides and others facing challenges.

The Atlanta Gladiators showed their determination by continue to climb up the standings, while the Florida Everblades continued to prove why they are a top contender. The Jacksonville Icemen had a standout week, making a notable jump, and the Savannah Ghost Pirates also impressed with their rise.

On the other hand, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Orlando Solar Bears faced some unfortunate setbacks, but they are teams with the potential to bounce back. The South Carolina Stingrays experienced a tough week of their own but are expected to rally and come back stronger so no one should count them out just yet.

As we look ahead, the competition is only going to intensify. Teams will be battling hard to secure their positions as we get closer to the midpoint of the season. Keep an eye on the upcoming games and storylines as the season heats up in the South Division! 

South Division Standings

Here are the current standings for the Division:

1. Florida Everblades: 42 points, 20-6-2 record
2. Jacksonville Icemen: 38 points, 18-9-2 record
3. South Carolina Stingrays: 36 points, 17-9-2 record
4. Savannah Ghost Pirates: 34 points, 16-11-2 record
5. Atlanta Gladiators: 32 points, 14-13-3 record
6. Orlando Solar Bears: 30 points, 13-15-4 record
7. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 27 points, 12-12-2 record

Overall League-Wide Standings

Week-to-Week Comparison

Atlanta Gladiators: 17th place (up two from 19th)
Florida Everblades: 3rd place (no change)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 18th place (down two from 16th)
Jacksonville Icemen: 9th place (up three from 12th)
Orlando Solar Bears: 20th place (down two from 18th)
Savannah Ghost Pirates: 13th place (up four from 17th)
South Carolina Stingrays: 10th place (down five from 5th)

ECHL Career Milestone

First Professional Goal

Last Week’s Game Results

Two Games in OT

Friday, December 27, 2024

• Greenville 5 at Atlanta 6 (OT)
• Norfolk 3 at Savannah 5
• South Carolina 6 at Jacksonville 7
• Orlando 1 at Florida 2

Saturday, December 28, 2024

• Norfolk 1 at Atlanta 3
• Greenville 0 at Jacksonville 3
• Savannah 5 at South Carolina 1
• Orlando 2 at Florida 4

Sunday, December 29, 2024

• Norfolk 6 at Atlanta 3
• Greenville 2 at Jacksonville 5
• Savannah 3 at South Carolina 2 (OT)

South Division Team Updates

(Alphabetically Listed)

Atlanta Gladiators

The Atlanta Gladiators currently hold a record of 14-13-3-1, placing them 8th in the South Division with 32 points and a win percentage of 0.516. Over the past week, they had a mixed performance, winning against Greenville 6-5 in overtime and Norfolk 3-1, but losing to Norfolk 6-3. Cody Sylvester reached his 500th career professional point against Norfolk, and the team remains one of three to have not allowed a shorthanded goal. Eric Neiley leads the team with 23 points (10 G, 13 A) in 26 games, while Blake Murray has 16 points (7 G, 9 A) in 25 games.

ECHL Game Recap: Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Atlanta Gladiators | 12/27/2024

ECHL Series Recap: Norfolk Admirals vs Atlanta Gladiators | 12/28-12/29/2024

Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades are 2nd in the South Division with a record of 20-6-2-0, accumulating 42 points and a win percentage of 0.750. They had a strong week, winning both games against Orlando, 2-1 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. Cam Johnson leads the league with 16 wins, and the team boasts the best goals-against average in the league at 1.93. Carson Gicewicz leads the team with 25 points (12 G, 13 A) in 27 games, and Logan Lambdin has 21 points (11 G, 10 A) in 27 games. Connor Doherty and Sean Allen are notable for their penalty minutes among defensemen.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are 11th in the South Division with a record of 12-12-2-1, totaling 27 points and a win percentage of 0.500. They struggled last week, losing all three games: 6-5 in overtime to Atlanta, 3-0 to Jacksonville, and 5-2 to Jacksonville. Dryden McKay is second in the league with 561 saves, and Bryce Brodzinski leads the team with 20 points (9 G, 11 A) in 24 games. Parker Berge has 19 points (5 G, 14 A) in 26 games as a defenseman. Patrick Moynihan also stands out with 2 shootout goals.

ECHL Series Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 12/28-12/29/2024

Jacksonville Icemen

The Jacksonville Icemen are 5th in the South Division with a record of 17-9-2-0, earning 36 points and a win percentage of 0.643. They had an excellent week, winning all three games: 7-6 against South Carolina, 3-0 against Greenville, and 5-2 against Greenville. Peter Tischke is fifth among defensemen in plus-minus at +17, and Ty Cheveldayoff and Justin McRae lead in penalty minutes among rookies. Davis Koch leads the team with 23 points (8 G, 15 A) in 29 games, and Zach Jordan has 18 points (9 G, 9 A) in 29 games. Garrett Van Wyhe has contributed with a shorthanded goal and points.

Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears are 9th in the South Division with a record of 13-15-4-0, accumulating 30 points and a win percentage of 0.469. They had a tough week, losing both games to Florida, 2-1 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. Aaron Luchuk recorded his 49th power-play point as a Solar Bear, tying the team record. He leads the team with 25 points (12 G, 13 A) in 32 games. Spencer Kersten is a standout rookie with 25 points (9 G, 16 A) and leads in shorthanded goals and points.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are 7th in the South Division with a record of 16-11-2-0, totaling 34 points and a win percentage of 0.586. They had a successful week, winning all three games: 5-3 against Norfolk, 5-1 against South Carolina, and 3-2 in overtime against South Carolina. Reece Vitelli has six points in his last four games and leads the team with 29 points (8 G, 21 A) in 29 games. Riley Hughes has 19 points (12 G, 7 A) in 16 games. Dennis Cesana leads among defensemen with 30 points (11 G, 19 A) in 29 games.

South Carolina Stingrays

The South Carolina Stingrays are 6th in the South Division with a record of 17-9-2-0, earning 36 points and a win percentage of 0.643. They had a challenging week, losing all three games: 7-6 to Jacksonville, 5-1 to Savannah, and 3-2 in overtime to Savannah. Kyler Kupka is seventh among the team’s top rookies with 24 points (11 G, 13 A) in 28 games. Jamie Engelbert has 21 points (11 G, 10 A) in 24 games. Charlie Combs leads the team with 80 shots and has a +14 rating. Andrew Perrott leads in penalty minutes and major penalties among defensemen, while Connor Moore has a notable shooting percentage.

Goaltending Leaders

Here are the top three goaltenders from the South Division based on their current performance:

1. Cam Johnson (Florida Everblades)

Cam Johnson has played 19 games, logging 1152 minutes, and has an impressive record of 16 wins, two losses, and an overtime loss. He has allowed 32 goals, resulting in a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.67, and has made 449 saves out of 481 shots, giving him a save percentage (SV%) of 0.933. He also has three shutouts this season. Why: Johnson leads the league in wins and has the best GAA among the goaltenders listed. His high save percentage indicates his reliability and consistency, and his three shutouts demonstrate his ability to completely shut down the opposition.

2. Alexis Gravel (Orlando Solar Bears)

Alexis Gravel has appeared in 15 games, playing 904 minutes, with a record of seven wins, five losses, and three overtime losses. He has conceded 33 goals, leading to a GAA of 2.19, and has stopped 494 out of 527 shots, resulting in a SV% of 0.937. He has recorded one shutout this season. Why: Gravel has the highest save percentage among the goaltenders in this group, highlighting his exceptional ability to stop pucks and maintain a strong presence in goal. Despite having fewer wins, his individual performance metrics showcase his skill and effectiveness between the pipes.

3. Matt Vernon (Jacksonville Icemen)

Matt Vernon has played 17 games, totaling 995 minutes, and has achieved 11 wins, four losses, and two overtime losses. He has allowed 41 goals, giving him a GAA of 2.47, and has made 474 saves out of 515 shots, resulting in a SV% of 0.920. He has one shutout this season. Why: Vernon has secured 11 wins for the Icemen, showcasing his ability to help his team succeed. His solid save percentage and GAA make him a reliable goaltender, and his performance in close games has been crucial to his team’s success.

ECHL – Saves of the Week – Dec. 23-29

Special Teams Breakdown

Atlanta Gladiators

The Atlanta Gladiators have a home power play success rate of 17.2%, successfully converting eleven goals from 64 opportunities over 18 games. In contrast, their road performance falls to 4.9%, with only two goals scored from 41 chances in 13 games. Overall, their power play effectiveness stands at 12.4%, with 13 goals netted from 105 attempts in 31 games. At home, their penalty kill percentage is 81.0%, allowing eleven goals from 58 shorthanded opportunities in 18 games. This rate slightly decreases to 78.0% on the road, with eleven goals given up from 50 situations in 13 games. Altogether, their penalty kill rate is 79.6%, having surrendered 22 goals from 108 shorthanded scenarios across 31 games. Notably, the Gladiators have scored two shorthanded goals and have not allowed any against them. As Week 12 draws begins, Atlanta must improve their road power play while maintaining their strong penalty kill to enhance their standings. They are scheduled to face South Carolina at home on Friday, followed by away games in Savannah on Saturday and Sunday.

Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades have a home power play record of 20.8%, scoring ten goals from 48 opportunities in 13 games. On the road, their power play is 14.3%, with seven goals from 49 opportunities in 15 games. Overall, their power play is 17.5%, with 17 goals from 97 opportunities in 28 games. Their home penalty kill is 82.5%, allowing seven goals from 40 shorthanded situations in 13 games. On the road, their penalty kill is 83.6%, with nine goals allowed from 55 shorthanded situations in 15 games. Overall, their penalty kill is 83.2%, with 16 goals allowed from 95 shorthanded situations in 28 games. The Everblades have scored five shorthanded goals and allowed three shorthanded goals against. Going into Week 12, Florida’s strong special teams play, especially their penalty kill, will be crucial in maintaining their position near the top of the standings. They will host Orlando on Monday and Jacksonville on Friday, and visit Orlando on Saturday.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have a home power play success rate of 14.8%, scoring eight goals from 54 chances over the course of 16 games.On the road, their power play improves to 18.9%, with seven goals from 37 chances in eleven games. Overall, they have a power play percentage of 16.5%, achieving 15 goals from 91 opportunities in 27 games. Their home penalty kill stands at 90.7%, allowing four goals from 43 shorthanded situations in 16 games. Meanwhile, on the road, their penalty kill is at 82.1%, permitting seven goals from 39 shorthanded situations in eleven games. In total, their penalty kill is 86.6%, having given up eleven goals from 82 shorthanded situations across 27 games. The Swamp Rabbits have netted two shorthanded goals while conceding eight. As Week 12 approaches, Greenville’s strong home penalty kill will be crucial for their upcoming matches, but they must improve their shorthanded performance as well. They will host Norfolk on Tuesday, travel to Orlando on Friday, and face Jacksonville on Saturday.

Jacksonville Icemen

The Jacksonville Icemen have recorded a home power play success rate of 6.1%, achieving three goals from 49 chances over 15 games. Conversely, their road power play stands at 17.4%, having scored eight goals from 46 opportunities in 14 games. Overall, their power play efficiency is 11.6%, with eleven goals from 95 chances across 29 games. In terms of penalty kill at home, they have an 84.3% success rate, allowing eight goals from 51 shorthanded situations in 15 games. On the road, their penalty kill rate is 83.6%, with nine goals permitted from 55 shorthanded situations in 14 games. Overall, their penalty kill stands at 84.0%, having allowed 17 goals from 106 shorthanded situations in 29 games. The Icemen have netted five shorthanded goals while conceding two. As they head into Week 12, Jacksonville must strengthen their home power play to support their strong penalty kill and maintain their impressive performance. They will face Florida on Friday, host Greenville on Saturday, and travel to South Carolina on Sunday.

Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears have a home power play rate of 16.7%, achieving eight goals from 48 chances in 13 games. In contrast, their road power play stands at 15.3%, with nine goals from 59 opportunities in 19 games. Overall, they have a power play percentage of 15.9%, netting 17 goals from 107 chances in 32 games. Their home penalty kill is impressive at 90.0%, allowing just five goals from 50 shorthanded situations in 13 games. On the road, their penalty kill drops to 82.6%, permitting twelve goals from 69 shorthanded situations in 19 games. Overall, their penalty kill is 85.7%, having allowed 17 goals from 119 shorthanded scenarios in 32 games. The Solar Bears have scored five shorthanded goals while also conceding five. As they head into Week 12, Orlando’s solid home penalty kill will be crucial, but they must enhance their power play consistency to strengthen their overall performance. This week, they will visit Florida on Monday, host Greenville on Friday, and face Florida again on Saturday.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

The Savannah Ghost Pirates have an impressive home power play success rate of 24.6%, scoring 15 goals from 61 opportunities over the course of 15 games. On the road, their power play rate is 18.6%, with eleven goals from 59 chances in 14 games. Overall, their power play efficiency stands at 21.7%, translating to 26 goals from 120 opportunities in 29 games. In terms of penalty killing, their home performance is remarkable at 93.5%, allowing only three goals from 46 shorthanded situations in 15 games. However, on the road, their penalty kill rate drops to 81.6%, conceding nine goals from 49 shorthanded situations in 14 games. Cumulatively, they have an 87.4% penalty kill rate, having allowed twelve goals from 95 shorthanded situations in 29 games. Additionally, the Ghost Pirates have scored seven shorthanded goals while allowing three. As Week 12 draws near, Savannah’s strong special teams, particularly their home power play and penalty kill, will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge as they gear up to face South Carolina on Tuesday and Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday.

South Carolina Stingrays

The South Carolina Stingrays boast a home power play success rate of 22.4%, netting eleven goals from 49 chances across 14 games. On the road, their power play rises to 26.1%, with twelve goals scored from 46 opportunities in the same number of games. Overall, they have a power play percentage of 24.2%, having scored 23 goals from 95 opportunities in 28 games. Their home penalty kill is impressive at 86.8%, allowing five goals from 38 shorthanded situations in 14 games. On the road, they excel even further with a penalty kill rate of 95.8%, permitting just two goals from 48 shorthanded situations in 14 games. In total, their penalty kill stands at 91.9%, having allowed seven goals from 86 shorthanded situations in 28 games. The Stingrays have recorded one shorthanded goal while allowing four against them. As they head into Week 12, South Carolina’s outstanding road penalty kill and robust power play will be crucial. They are set to visit Savannah on Tuesday, travel to Atlanta on Friday, and host Jacksonville on Sunday.

Key Players to Watch

Atlanta Gladiators

Cody Sylvester is a consistent scorer for the Gladiators, with 19 points (7G, 12A). His performance will be crucial as Atlanta looks to improve their standings. Eric Neiley, known for his challenging play on opponents, has been a significant contributor with 23 points (10G, 13A). His ability to create scoring opportunities makes him a player to watch. Ethan Haider, solid in goal, has a 2.61 GAA and a .908 save percentage. His performance will be vital in keeping the Gladiators competitive, especially if Drew DeRidder remains on IR.

Florida Everblades

Cam Johnson, leading the league with 16 wins, has a stellar 1.67 GAA and a .933 save percentage. His goaltending will be key for the Everblades. Carson Gicewicz, with 25 points (12G, 13A), is a top scorer for Florida. His offensive contributions will be important in their upcoming games. Logan Lambdin, another key player, has 21 points (11G, 10A) and will be crucial in Florida’s attack.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Bryce Brodzinski, leading the team with 20 points (9G, 11A), is on a point streak and will be a key player for Greenville. Parker Berge, a standout rookie defenseman, has 19 points (5G, 14A) and is crucial in both defense and offense. Dryden McKay, second in the league with 561 saves, will be essential for the Swamp Rabbits.

Jacksonville Icemen

Davis Koch, leading the team with 23 points (8G, 15A), has playmaking abilities that will be vital for Jacksonville. Zach Jordan, with 18 points (9G, 9A), will be important for their offensive contributions. Matt Vernon, with 11 wins and a .920 save percentage, will be key for the Icemen.

Orlando Solar Bears

Aaron Luchuk, leading the team with 25 points (12G, 13A), has scoring ability that will be crucial for Orlando. Spencer Kersten, a standout rookie with 25 points (9G, 16A), is also effective in shorthanded situations. Alexis Gravel, with a .937 save percentage, will be vital for the Solar Bears.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

Reece Vitelli, leading the team with 29 points (8G, 21A), has recent form that makes him a key player. Riley Hughes, with 19 points (12G, 7A) in 16 games, is a significant offensive threat. Dennis Cesana, leading among defensemen with 30 points (11G, 19A), will be crucial.

South Carolina Stingrays

Kyler Kupka, with 24 points (11G, 13A), is a top scorer for the Stingrays. Jamie Engelbert, another key player with 21 points (11G, 10A), will be important. Garin Bjorklund, with a 1.87 GAA and a .933 save percentage, will be essential for South Carolina.

That’s a wrap on the latest updates for the Atlanta Gladiators, Florida Everblades, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Jacksonville Icemen, Orlando Solar Bears, Savannah Ghost Pirates, and South Carolina Stingrays. As we head into Week 12, each team has its strengths and areas to focus on, especially in their special teams play. Whether it’s improving power plays, maintaining strong penalty kills, or leveraging their shorthanded opportunities, these insights will be crucial for their upcoming games.

Keep an eye on standout players like Cody Sylvester and Eric Neiley for Atlanta, Cam Johnson and Carson Gicewicz for Florida, Bryce Brodzinski and Parker Berge for Greenville, Davis Koch and Matt Vernon for Jacksonville, Aaron Luchuk and Spencer Kersten for Orlando, Reece Vitelli and Dennis Cesana for Savannah, and Kyler Kupka and Jamie Engelbert for South Carolina. Their performances will be pivotal in their teams’ success this week.