ECHL South Division Recap | Week 21

Last week, the South Division has delivered its fair share of drama, determination, and pivotal moments that could shape the course of the season. With several teams locked in tight battles for position and key head-to-head matchups on the horizon, every game counts. From Florida’s steady reign at the top to Greenville’s uphill battle at the bottom, this recap offers an in-depth look at each team’s recent results, current standings, and the impact of their upcoming schedules on the division race.

Florida Everblades

Florida – 84 Points (38-12-7-1)
Standing: Leading the Division; Second in the League behind Trois-Rivières (#1 overall).
Florida remains atop the division after a week that featured a 1–4 loss at Norfolk, a 5–3 win, and a 2–3 overtime loss. Their strong overall performance keeps them in control, and the upcoming slate offers chances to extend that lead. They host Savannah on Wednesday at 7:30 PM EDT—a game that could further bolster their home‐ice advantage—before hitting the road on Saturday (7:00 PM EDT) as they take on Orlando. A victory in either contest would only solidify Florida’s position and continue to pressure their challengers.

South Carolina Stingrays

South Carolina – 83 Points (39-14-3-2)
Gap: One point behind Florida; 3rd Overall in the League Standings
South Carolina edged closer to the top with a 5–1 rout of Orlando, followed by a 2–1 overtime win at Savannah, and two more victories later in the week. Looking ahead, they open their upcoming schedule by hosting Greenville on Wednesday at 7:05 PM EDT. A pivotal stretch follows as they travel to Atlanta on Friday at 7:30 PM EDT and then host Atlanta on Saturday at 6:05 PM EDT in the two game series. They round out the week with a visit by Jacksonville on Sunday at 3:05 PM EDT. These games will be key in either closing the 1‑point gap at the top or risking a setback if the pressure isn’t managed.

Jacksonville Icemen

Jacksonville – 80 Points (37-16-5-1)
Gap: Three points behind South Carolina; 6th Overall in the League Standings
After an impressive three-game series at Allen with wins of 9–1, 4–0, and 3–1, Jacksonville has inched within 3 points of South Carolina. Their upcoming schedule presents both opportunities and challenges. They host Orlando on Friday at 7:00 PM EDT and then welcome Savannah on Saturday at 7:00 PM EDT. However, a tough road test awaits on Sunday when they travel to South Carolina at 3:05 PM EDT. Success at home will be critical for Jacksonville as they seek to chip away at the gap and maintain their playoff push.

Orlando Solar Bears

Orlando – 72 Points (31-20-10-0)
Gap: Eight points behind Jacksonville; 14th Overall in the League Standings
Orlando’s week was mixed—a 5–1 loss to South Carolina was offset by a 4–1 win over Greenville—but their 72-point total leaves them 8 points behind Jacksonville. Their upcoming schedule is demanding: they begin with an away game at Jacksonville on Friday at 7:00 PM EDT, followed by a home fixture on Saturday when they host Florida at 7:00 PM EDT. They finish the week hosting Savannah on Sunday at 3:00 PM EDT. With key matchups against strong opponents, Orlando will rely heavily on both their offense and defense to close the gap and secure vital points.

Atlanta Gladiators

Atlanta – 59 Points (26-26-5-2)
Gap: 13 points behind Orlando; 18th overall in the League Standings
Atlanta finds themselves 13 points adrift of Orlando after a week that saw a 2–5 loss at Kalamazoo, a 6–4 win on Saturday, and a 2–5 setback at Toledo on Sunday. Their upcoming schedule features a crucial home game on Friday, as they host South Carolina at 7:30 PM EDT, followed by a return trip to South Carolina on Saturday at 6:05 PM EDT. This home-and-away series with a division leader presents a significant opportunity: strong results could help shrink the 13‑point gap, but any faltering could widen the divide further.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

Savannah – 55 Points (25-27-5-0)
Gap: 4 points behind Atlanta; 25th overall in the League Standings
Struggling at 55 points and just 4 points behind Atlanta, Savannah’s week was marred by an overtime loss to South Carolina and another narrow overtime defeat to Greenville. Their upcoming schedule is tough, with all three contests on the road: they travel to Florida on Wednesday at 7:30 PM EDT, then face Jacksonville on Saturday at 7:00 PM EDT, and finish with a trip to Orlando on Sunday at 3:00 PM EDT. With a slate piled against top-tier opponents, Savannah’s next few games will be critical in either narrowing or further expanding the gap.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville – 51 Points (22-28-5-2)
Gap: 4 points behind Savannah.
At 51 points, Greenville trails Savannah by 4 points—the smallest gap in the division—but they sit at the bottom. Week 21 saw them grab an overtime win (5–4) over Savannah before succumbing 3–6 to Orlando. Their upcoming schedule offers a chance to regroup, as they face a three-game home series against Kansas City: Friday at 7:05 PM EDT, Saturday at 4:05 PM EDT, and Sunday at 3:05 PM EDT. While a home series is generally favorable, Kansas City’s level of play means that Greenville must elevate their game to secure points and begin their climb out of the cellar. The reason: Kansas City’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and control the pace of the game contrasts sharply with Greenville’s struggles to maintain consistency and secure results. This means that even in a home series, Greenville faces an uphill battle against a squad known for its resilience and strategic execution.

As the South Division heads into another challenging week of contests, every point will be crucial. With divisional rivals set to face off in high-stakes matchups, the coming games promise to further shake up the standings.