This week in the ECHL, we’ve seen some exciting matchups and notable transactions across the league. The Atlanta Gladiators, Florida Everblades, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Jacksonville Icemen, Orlando Solar Bears, Savannah Ghost Pirates, and South Carolina Stingrays have all been active on the ice and in the transaction market.
In terms of game results, there were several thrilling shootouts and overtime games, adding to the excitement of the week that saw the division with three shootouts and four overtime games. Additionally, we witnessed some significant career milestones and first professional goals. Cody Sylvester of the Atlanta Gladiators reached his 200th career game and his 200th career point, while Alex Kile and Aaron Luchuk both achieved their 300th career points. Brayden Low of the Orlando Solar Bears played his 400th career game. First professional goals were scored by Brenden Datema, Arvid Caderoth, Dru Krebs, and Mason Emoff.
South Division Standings
Here are the current standings for the division:
- Florida Everblades: 47 points, 22-6-3 record
- South Carolina Stingrays: 41 points, 19-9-2-1 record
- Jacksonville Icemen: 39 points, 18-11-2-1 record
- Savannah Ghost Pirates: 36 points, 17-13-2 record
- Atlanta Gladiators: 36 points, 16-14-3-1 record
- Orlando Solar Bears: 33 points, 14-16-5 record
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 31 points, 14-13-2-1 record
Overall League-Wide Standings
Week-to-Week Comparison
Atlanta Gladiators: 16th place, up one from 17th
Florida Everblades: 3rd place, no change
Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 17th place, up one from 18th
Jacksonville Icemen: 10th place, down one from 9th
Orlando Solar Bears: 19th place, up one from 20th
Savannah Ghost Pirates: 15th place, up two from 13th
South Carolina Stingrays: 8th place, up two from 10th
ECHL Career Milestones
Atlanta Gladiators – Cody Sylvester
Florida Everblades – Alex Kile
Orlando Solar Bears – Brayden Low
Orlando Solar Bears – Aaron Luchuk
First Professional Goals
Atlanta Gladiators – Brenden Datema
Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Arvid Caderoth
Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Dru Krebs
Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Mason Emoff
Team News & Notes
Atlanta Gladiators
The Atlanta Gladiators had an eventful week. They won against the South Carolina Stingrays in a thrilling shootout on January 3rd, lost to the Savannah Ghost Pirates on January 4th after mounting a late comeback in the third to bring the score within one, and then won again against Savannah on January 5th.
Derek Topatigh leads the team with 22 points, consisting of five goals and 17 assists over 33 games. Ethan Haider has been solid in goal, with 12 wins, six losses, and a 2.58 GAA, along with a .909 save percentage over 20 games. Ethan Haider has won his last eight starts, showcasing his consistency and reliability in goal. Atlanta is 12-3-1 when scoring first, indicating a strong performance whenever they take the lead early in the game.
Their power play (when they have more players on the ice due to an opponent’s penalty) is working 16.2% of the time at home and 8.7% on the road. Overall, they score on 13.2% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 82.3% of the time at home and that drops to 73.2% on the road.
The Gladiators have a busy schedule ahead, hosting South Carolina on Wednesday, visiting Jacksonville on Friday, and hosting Cincinnati on Saturday and Sunday.
Florida Everblades
The Florida Everblades had a great week, winning both of their games. They beat the Orlando Solar Bears in overtime on January 3rd and the Jacksonville Icemen on January 4th. Cam Johnson remained a standout goaltender with 17 wins, two losses, and a 1.68 GAA, boasting a .933 save percentage over 20 games. The Everblades are 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Their power play is effective 21.1% of the time at home and 13.7% on the road. Overall, they score on 17.6% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 80.0% of the time at home and 84.2% on the road.
Florida is set to play at Idaho on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits had a tough week, losing to the Norfolk Admirals on January 3rd but winning against the Jacksonville Icemen in a shootout on January 4th.
Bryce Brodzinski has been a key player, scoring 11 goals and adding 14 assists for a total of 25 points in 30 games. Parker Berge also contributes significantly with 21 points from five goals and 16 assists over 28 games. Bryce Brodzinski is on a four-game point streak (1g-4a). Greenville is now 10-1-3 in one-goal games, demonstrating their ability to perform well in close matches.
Their power play works 15.5% of the time at home and 17.1% on the road. Overall, they score on 16.2% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 87.0% of the time at home but that drops to 77.3% on the road.
The Swamp Rabbits are at Orlando on Tuesday and Jacksonville on Wednesday before hosting South Carolina on Friday and Savannah on Saturday and Sunday.
Jacksonville Icemen
The Jacksonville Icemen had a challenging week, losing all three of their games. They lost to the Florida Everblades on January 3rd, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in a shootout on January 4th, and the South Carolina Stingrays on January 5th. Justen Close and Matt Vernon have been reliable goaltenders. Close has six wins, five losses, and a 2.20 GAA with a .923 save percentage over 12 games, while Vernon has 11 wins, 4 losses, and a 2.54 GAA with a .919 save percentage over 18 games. Justen Close is tied for fifth with a 2.20 goals-against average, showcasing his strong performance in goal. The Icemen are 7-1-2 when leading after the first period.
Their power play is effective 8.0% of the time at home and 19.6% on the road. Overall, they score on 13.9% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 84.9% of the time at home and 82.5% on the road.
Jacksonville hosts Greenville on Wednesday, Atlanta on Friday, and South Carolina on Saturday.
Orlando Solar Bears
The Orlando Solar Bears had a mixed week, losing to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on January 3rd but winning against the Florida Everblades in overtime on January 4th. Spencer Kersten leads his team with 28 points, including 11 goals and 17 assists over 35 games. Alexis Gravel has been strong in goal for the Solar Bears with seven wins, five losses, and a 2.31 GAA, along with a .933 save percentage over 17 games. Orlando is first on the penalty kill at home at 90.7 percent (49-for-54), showcasing their strong defensive play on their home ice.
Their power play works 18.5% of the time at home and 16.4% on the road. Overall, they score on 17.4% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 90.7% of the time at home and 83.6% on the road.
The Solar Bears will host Greenville on Tuesday and are at Adirondack on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Savannah Ghost Pirates
The Savannah Ghost Pirates had a challenging week, losing to the South Carolina Stingrays on January 3rd, winning against the Atlanta Gladiators on January 4th, and losing to Atlanta again on January 5th.
Dennis Cesana is a top performer with 33 points from 11 goals and 22 assists over 32 games. Reece Vitelli also continues to contribute significantly with 31 points from eight goals and 23 assists over 32 games. Dennis Cesana is tied for first among defensemen with three game-winning goals, highlighting his ability to get those clutch performances for Savannah. The Ghost Pirates are now tied for the league lead with seven shorthanded goals.
Their power play works 27.4% of the time at home and 18.6% on the road. Overall, they score on 23.5% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 87.5% of the time at home and 81.6% on the road.
Savannah hosts Cincinnati on Wednesday and is at Greenville on Saturday and Sunday.
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays had a mixed week, winning two of their three games. They defeated the Savannah Ghost Pirates on January 4th and the Jacksonville Icemen on January 5th, but lost to the Atlanta Gladiators in a shootout on January 3rd. Kyler Kupka leads the team with 29 points, including 14 goals and 15 assists over 31 games. Kyler Kupka is fifth among rookies with 29 points (14g-15a), showcasing his impressive debut season. South Carolina has outscored its opponents 48-23 in the second period, indicating their strong performance in the middle portion of their games.
Their power play works 21.2% of the time at home and 25.5% on the road. Overall, they score on 23.4% of their power plays. On the penalty kill, they stop the other team 85.0% of the time at home and 94.8% on the road.
The Stingrays visit Atlanta again on Wednesday, head to Greenville on Friday, and then host the Swamp Rabbits in South Carolina on Saturday.
ECHL Saves of the Week – South Carolina (00:20)
Transaction News By Team
Atlanta Gladiators: Dysen Skinner (G) was released from his SPC on December 31, 2024.
Florida Everblades: No recent transactions.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits: Mitch Atkins (F) was released from his SPC on January 3, 2025. Derek Osik (F) was signed to an SPC on January 3, 2025. John Parker-Jones (RW) was loaned from Ontario (AHL) on January 3, 2025. Chandler Romeo (D) was traded from Idaho on January 3, 2025.
Jacksonville Icemen: Michael Houser (G) was loaned from Rochester (AHL) on January 3, 2025.
Orlando Solar Bears: Alexis Gravel (G) was returned on loan from Belleville (AHL) on January 3, 2025. Ty Taylor (G) was signed to an SPC on January 2, 2025. Jaydon Dureau (F) was reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Syracuse (AHL) on January 1, 2025.
Savannah Ghost Pirates: Patrick Guay (F) was traded from Maine on December 30, 2024.
South Carolina Stingrays: Ryan Kenny (G) was released from his SPC on December 31, 2024. Micah Miller (F) was loaned from Hershey (AHL) on December 31, 2024.
Last Week’s Game Results
Atlanta Gladiators had a strong week, winning two out of three games, including a shootout victory against South Carolina.
January 3: South Carolina 2 at Atlanta 3 (SO)
January 4: Atlanta 5 at Savannah 6
January 5: Atlanta 4 at Savannah 3
Florida Everblades won both of their games, including an overtime win against Orlando.
January 3: Orlando 3 at Florida 4 (OT)
January 4: Jacksonville 2 at Florida 6
Greenville Swamp Rabbits split their games, losing to Norfolk but winning in a shootout against Jacksonville.
January 3: Norfolk 8 at Greenville 3
January 4: Greenville 5 at Jacksonville 4 (SO)
Jacksonville Icemen had a tough week, losing all three of their games.
January 3: Jacksonville 2 at Florida 6
January 4: Greenville 5 at Jacksonville 4 (SO)
January 5: Jacksonville 1 at South Carolina
Orlando Solar Bears won one game in overtime against Florida but lost to Greenville.
January 3: Greenville 5 at Orlando 2
January 4: Florida 1 at Orlando 2 (OT)
Savannah Ghost Pirates had a challenging week, winning one game against Atlanta but losing the other two.
January 3: South Carolina 11 at Savannah 3
January 4: Atlanta 5 at Savannah 6
January 5: Atlanta 4 at Savannah 3
South Carolina Stingrays won two out of three games, including a high-scoring victory against Savannah but losing to Atlanta in a shootout.
January 3: South Carolina 2 at Atlanta 3 (SO)
January 4: South Carolina 11 at Savannah 3
January 5: Jacksonville 1 at South Carolina 2
That wraps up an action-packed week in the South Division of the ECHL! With thrilling shootouts, overtime games, and significant career milestones, the excitement continues to build. The South Division remains one of the most competitive in the league.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates and highlights as the season progresses. Until next time, keep the energy high and cheer loudly for your favorite South Division teams!
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