ECHL South Division Recap | Week 25

As the ECHL regular season winds down, the South Division is delivering a thrilling finish packed with playoff races, record-breaking performances, and milestone moments. The South Carolina Stingrays have surged to the top of the league with a historic 15-game winning streak, while Florida, Jacksonville, and Orlando have all secured their postseason spots.

From suspensions and player milestones to franchise records and tight playoff chases, this recap covers the latest ECHL South Division standings and highlights, as well as insights into team performance across the division heading into the final week of regular-season action.

Milestones

Franchise Points Record – South Carolina Stingrays

First Professional Goal – Harrison Israels – Florida Everblades

First Professional Goal – Dawson Tritt – Greenville Swamp Rabbits

First Professional Goal – Jordan Power – Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Single-Season Record (PIM) – Kelly Bent – Orlando Solar Bears

Kelly Bent made team history this week, as his 17 penalty minutes brought him to 209 on the season, setting a new Orlando single-season record for penalty minutes. He has now passed Mike Monfredo’s previous record of 207, set during the 2018–19 season.

First Professional Goal – Dalton Duhart – Jacksonville Icemen

ECHL Plus Performer of the Month (March) – Romain Rodzinski

South Carolina Stingrays

Record: 50-14-3-2 | Points: 105 | PCT: .761 | Playoff Status: Clinched

The Stingrays extended their win streak to fifteen games last weekend and now sit first overall in the entire ECHL with 105 points. Their 3–2 win over Greenville on Sunday marked their 50th victory of the season and helped break franchise records for wins, home wins, and points. Tyler Weiss, Alexander Suzdalev, and Ryan Hofer each scored in the win, while goaltender Seth Eisele turned away 20 of 22 shots. South Carolina leads the ECHL in both goals per game (3.87) and goals-against per game (2.23). Forward Justin Nachbaur has been suspended five games for leaving the bench to join an altercation and will miss the rest of the regular season and South Carolina’s first playoff game. The Stingrays are set to visit Norfolk on Friday and Saturday, then face Greenville again on Sunday.

Florida Everblades

Record: 46-15-7-1 | Points: 100 | PCT: .725 | Playoff Status: Clinched

Florida split a two-game set in Savannah last week, winning 5–4 Friday before being blanked 3–0 Saturday. They remain a tough out, especially when scoring first (28-3-3). Jordan Sambrook is tied for second in the league with a +33 plus-minus rating. Forward Alex Kile was suspended indefinitely and fined after receiving a game misconduct during Friday’s win in Savannah. The incident occurred at 6:22 of the third period during a heated stretch that featured multiple penalties and altercations. Further discipline is pending a league hearing sometime this week. The Everblades, second in the division with 100 points, host Atlanta for three key games this week (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).

Jacksonville Icemen

Record: 41-20-7-1 | Points: 90 | PCT: .652 | Playoff Status: Clinched

The Icemen handled Greenville in back-to-back games (3–2 both nights) but dropped a 3–2 result to Atlanta on Sunday. Olivier Nadeau added to his scoring surge with five goals in his last seven games, while Jacksonville’s defense remains elite (2.62 GA/G, 5th in ECHL). The Icemen host Savannah on Friday and Saturday, then wrap up the weekend against Orlando on Sunday.

Orlando Solar Bears

Record: 35-25-10-0 | Points: 80 | PCT: .571 | Playoff Status: Clinched

A tough 1–3 week saw Orlando edge Atlanta in overtime before dropping games to Atlanta, South Carolina, and Savannah. Despite the slump, the Solar Bears remain fourth in the South and playoff-bound. Spencer Kersten continues to lead all Orlando scorers and is third among rookies with 54 points (24g-30a). The Solar Bears host Greenville on Friday and visit Jacksonville on Sunday.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

Record: 29-33-6-1 | Points: 65 | PCT: .471

Savannah followed a narrow 5–4 loss to Florida with impressive back-to-back shutouts—a 3–0 win over Florida and a dominant 5–0 victory in Orlando. Devon Paliani now ranks fourth in the ECHL with 31 goals, and the Ghost Pirates are 22-2-1 when leading after two periods. They are tied with Atlanta in points but currently hold fifth place based on the ROW tiebreaker. Savannah visits Jacksonville twice and hosts Atlanta on Sunday in a potential playoff decider.

Atlanta Gladiators

Record: 28-31-7-2 | Points: 65 | PCT: .478

Joey Cipollone has been a spark with three goals in his last two games. The Gladiators had a productive week, going 2-1-1 with a shutout win over Orlando and a gritty 3–2 victory over Jacksonville. Gladiators captain Eric Neiley took center ice for what is expected to be his final home game. Neiley dropped the ceremonial puck alongside his wife and young son in receiving a warm ovation from the crowd that’s supported him throughout his career. Atlanta is one of only two teams in the league not to allow a shorthanded goal at home. They hit the road for a major stretch—three in Florida (Wed, Fri, Sat) and one in Savannah (Sun).

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Record: 26-36-6-2 | Points: 60 | PCT: .429

Despite strong individual play from Austin Saint (8 points in 6 games), Greenville went 0–3 last week, dropping games to Jacksonville twice and South Carolina. Now officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Swamp Rabbits will look to close strong with a trip to Orlando on Friday and a home finale against South Carolina on Sunday.