ECHL: South Division Recap | Week 9

Welcome to the ECHL South Division Week 9 Recap! This week has been packed with thrilling action and standout performances. We’ll dive into the latest standings, key team news, and notable player achievements. From the Florida Everblades’ defensive dominance to the South Carolina Stingrays’ impressive special teams, there’s plenty to cover.

Let’s get started with the current division standings and see how your favorite teams in the division are faring.

Current Division Standings

Florida Everblades: Leading the division with 17 wins, five losses, and two overtime losses, totaling 36 points. They have a points percentage of 75.0%, with 78 goals for and 45 goals against.

South Carolina Stingrays: In second place with 16 wins, five losses, and an overtime loss, also totaling 33 points and a points percentage of 75.0%. They have scored 91 goals and conceded 45.

Jacksonville Icemen: Holding third place with 13 wins, eight losses, and two overtime losses, accumulating 28 points and a points percentage of 60.9%. They now have 63 goals for and 58 goals against.

Savannah Ghost Pirates: In fourth place with 12 wins, 10 losses, and one overtime loss, earning 25 points and a points percentage of 54.3%. They have scored 82 goals and allowed 74.

Orlando Solar Bears: Fifth in the standings with 11 wins, 12 losses, and three overtime losses, totaling 25 points and a points percentage of 48.1%. They have 67 goals for and 80 goals against.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits: Sixth place with 11 wins, nine losses, one overtime loss, and one shootout loss, earning 24 points and a points percentage of 54.5%. They have scored 57 goals and conceded 72.

Atlanta Gladiators: At the bottom of the division with 10 wins, 11 losses, 3 overtime losses, and one shootout loss, totaling 24 points and a points percentage of 48.0%. They have 55 goals for and 73 goals against.

Florida and South Carolina are tied in points percentage, making the race for the top spot very close. Jacksonville, Savannah, and Greenville are also in the mix, with only a few points separating them. Orlando and Atlanta are slightly behind but still within striking distance. The South Division is competitive, but the North Division has the highest points percentage leader with Wheeling at 0.833. The Central and Mountain Divisions also have strong leaders, making for an exciting season across so far in the ECHL.

Overall League Standings (Week-to-Week Comparison)

Last Week’s Game Results

(Three Games in OT)

WED, DECEMBER 11

• Atlanta defeated South Carolina 4-3
• Jacksonville defeated Greenville 3-1
• Orlando defeated Florida 3-2
• Kansas City defeated Savannah 3-1

FRI, DECEMBER 13

• Florida defeated Orlando 4-1
• Atlanta defeated Jacksonville 3-0
• Kansas City defeated Savannah 4-2

SAT, DECEMBER 14

• Jacksonville defeated Florida 3-2 (OT)
• Atlanta defeated Greenville 5-3
• Savannah defeated Kansas City 3-2 (OT)

SUN, DECEMBER 15

• Greenville defeated Orlando 5-4 (OT)

First Professional Goals

Team News and Notes

Atlanta Gladiators

Atlanta has made a strong impression this season, particularly as one of the four teams that have not conceded a shorthanded goal. A key player contributing to their success is Eric Neiley, who has recorded at least one assist in each of the last seven home games, amassing a total of nine assists during this stretch. Furthermore, Atlanta has demonstrated some remarkable resilience and strength when leading after the first and second periods, boasting impressive records of 7-3-1-0 and 7-1-1-0, respectively. This ability to secure wins when ahead underscores their skill in maintaining momentum and capitalizing on early advantages in the game. They are also on a win streak, having won their last three games.

Atlanta has a marginally lower average of penalty minutes per game than Greenville. Although both teams are considered some of the most disciplined in the league, Atlanta has a slight advantage over Greenville in this regard. Currently, Atlanta holds the 7th position in the league for the lowest average penalty minutes per game, highlighting their discipline. This impressive ranking suggests they maintain good control and incur fewer penalties compared to numerous other teams.

Top Scorers:

• Eric Neiley: 18 points (7g, 11a) in 20 games, with a +6 rating.
• Derek Topatigh: 17 points (4g, 13a) in 24 games, with a +4 rating.
• Cody Sylvester: 16 points (6g, 10a) in 25 games, but a -5 rating.
• Blake Murray: 13 points (6g, 7a) in 19 games, with a -1 rating.
• Joey Cipollone: 12 points (8g, 4a) in 23 games, with a +1 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Patriks Marcinkevics: 10 points (2g, 8a) in 14 games, with a +7 rating.
• Jackson Pierson: Nine points (3g, 6a) in 25 games, but a -8 rating.

Goaltending:

• Ethan Haider: 14 games, 7 wins, 2.44 GAA, and a .914 save percentage.
• Drew DeRidder: 12 games, 3 wins, 2.81 GAA, and a .909 save percentage.

Florida Everblades

The Everblades are currently showcasing the best defense in the league, allowing a mere 1.88 goals per game. One standout player, Oliver Chau, has been exceptional lately, scoring 10 goals in his last 14 games. Another key contributor, Carson Gicewicz, has amassed 23 points with 11 goals and 12 assists. Florida has proven to be particularly effective when leading after the first and second periods, holding impressive records of 8-1-1-0 and 11-0-1-0, respectively. Their ability to consistently outshoot opponents, with a record of 12-3-0-0, highlights their offensive prowess and control over games.

Top Scorers:

• Carson Gicewicz: 23 points (11g, 12a) in 24 games, with a +15 rating.
• Colton Hargrove: 20 points (6g, 14a) in 24 games, with a +11 rating.
• Logan Lambdin: 19 points (10g, 9a) in 24 games, with a +3 rating.
• Oliver Chau: 18 points (11g, 7a) in 24 games, with a +11 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Jesse Lansdell: 13 points (5g, 8a) in 24 games, with a shooting percentage of 21.7%.
• Colin Theisen: 15 points (8g, 7a) in 23 games, with a +5 rating.

Goaltending:

• Cam Johnson: 15 games, 13 wins, 1.58 GAA, and a .936 save percentage.
• Will Cranley: Nine games, four wins, 2.32 GAA, and a .917 save percentage.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville has demonstrated a remarkable performance this season, boasting an impressive record of 10-1-1 when they score three or more goals. A standout player, Mikael Robidoux, achieved his first career multi-goal game on Sunday against Orlando, highlighting his growing impact on the team’s success. Furthermore, Greenville excels when leading after the first and second periods, with strong records of 6-2-0-0 and 7-1-0-0, respectively. Their resilience is particularly evident in their ability to secure victories even when they are outshot, holding a record of 9-6-1-0. Greenville, while slightly higher in penalty minutes than Atlanta, still maintains a commendable level of discipline. They rank just behind Atlanta, showing that they also have good control and are effective at minimizing penalties.

Top Scorers:

• Bryce Brodzinski: 18 points (8g, 10a) in 22 games, with a -9 rating.
• Parker Berge: 17 points (4g, 13a) in 21 games, with a +4 rating.
• Tate Singleton: 16 points (7g, 9a) in 21 games, with a -4 rating.
• Colton Young: 11 points (5g, 6a) in 17 games, with a -6 rating.
• Patrick Moynihan: 11 points (1g, 10a) in 21 games, with a -3 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Carter Savoie: 10 points (6g, 4a) in 14 games, with a shooting percentage of 17.6%.
• Brent Pedersen: 10 points (4g, 6a) in 21 games, with a -9 rating.

Goaltending:

• Jacob Ingham: Seven games, three wins, 2.66 GAA, and a .924 save percentage.
• Dryden McKay: 17 games, 8 wins, 3.13 GAA, and a .908 save percentage.

Jacksonville Icemen

The Icemen have demonstrated a solid performance with a record of 7-2-1 when they score first, highlighting their ability to seize early momentum in games. Notably, Brendan Harris has been a key contributor recently, accumulating six points, including three goals and three assists, over his last seven games. Jacksonville’s strong performance is further evident when they lead after the first and second periods, boasting impressive records of 5-1-1-0 and 9-0-1-0, respectively. This balanced approach, where they excel both when outshooting their opponents and when being outshot, showcases their versatility and competitive spirit across various game situations.

Top Scorers:

• Davis Koch: 16 points (6g, 10a) in 23 games, with a +8 rating.
• Christopher Brown: 14 points (8g, 6a) in 23 games, with a +6 rating.
• Zach Jordan: 13 points (6g, 7a) in 23 games, with a +6 rating.
• Brendan Harris: 12 points (6g, 6a) in 13 games, with a +5 rating.
• Garrett Van Wyhe: 12 points (2g, 10a) in 21 games, with a +4 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Brody Crane: 11 points (5g, 6a) in 23 games, with a +2 rating.
• Chris Grando: 10 points (5g, 5a) in 23 games, with a -5 rating.

Goaltending:

• Matt Vernon: 13 games, seven wins, 2.40 GAA, and a .920 save percentage.
• Justen Close: 10 games, five wins, 2.35 GAA, and a .919 save percentage.

Orlando Solar Bears

Orlando has shown impressive form on the road, remaining unbeaten in regulation over their last four games with a record of 3-0-1. Key players are contributing significantly to the team’s success, with Jack Adams recording six points in his last five games, including one goal and five assists. Additionally, Kelly Bent has accumulated 88 penalty minutes, while both Alex Frye and Spencer Kersten have each netted three shorthanded goals and provided three shorthanded assists, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. Orlando’s strong performance when leading has been notable, boasting records of 5-1-1-0 after the first period and a perfect 7-0-0-0 after the second. This ability to maintain control and secure victories when in the lead underscores their resilience and strength as a team.

Top Scorers:

• Spencer Kersten: 21 points (8g, 13a) in 26 games, with a +6 rating.
• Aaron Luchuk: 20 points (10g, 10a) in 26 games, with an even rating.
• Jack Adams: 18 points (3g, 15a) in 25 games, with a -5 rating.
• Brayden Low: 16 points (6g, 10a) in 23 games, with a -9 rating.
• Tyler Bird: 13 points (9g, 4a) in 26 games, with a -3 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Anthony Bardaro: 12 points (7g, 5a) in 26 games, with a -1 rating.
• Alex Frye: 10 points (4g, 6a) in 26 games, with a -2 rating.

Goaltending:

• Michael Simpson: Five games, three wins, 2.06 GAA, and a .929 save percentage.
• Alexis Gravel: 11 games, five wins, 2.45 GAA, and a .927 save percentage.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

Savannah has established itself as a formidable team in the league, currently ranking third with an impressive average of 34.48 shots per game. Among its key players, Dennis Cesana has been particularly productive, tallying eight points (four goals and four assists) in his last six games, bringing his season total to 23 points with nine goals and 14 assists. Reece Vitelli matches this total with 23 points, although his contributions come primarily from assists, with four goals and 19 assists. Additionally, Ross Armour, Kyle Jeffers, and Josh Davies each maintain a solid shooting percentage of 26.7%. Savannah’s strength is further highlighted by their performance when leading after the first and second periods, boasting remarkable records of 8-1-0-0 and 9-0-0-0, respectively. Their ability to outshoot opponents, demonstrated by a record of 7-8-1-0, underscores their offensive and strategic gameplay.

Top Scorers:

• Dennis Cesana: 23 points (9g, 14a) in 23 games, with a +16 rating.
• Reece Vitelli: 23 points (4g, 19a) in 23 games, with a -6 rating.
• Riley Hughes: 19 points (12g, 7a) in 16 games, with a +10 rating.
• Ross Armour: 17 points (8g, 9a) in 15 games, with a -1 rating.
• Devon Paliani: 17 points (8g, 9a) in 23 games, with a -3 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Nicholas Zabaneh: 15 points (6g, 9a) in 20 games, with a -6 rating.
• Logan Drevitch: 15 points (3g, 12a) in 23 games, with a -1 rating.

Goaltending:

• Cooper Black: Two games, two wins, 2.37 GAA, and a .907 save percentage.
• Evan Cormier: 11 games, six wins, 3.10 GAA, and a .890 save percentage.

South Carolina Stingrays

South Carolina has showcased impressive performance metrics, boasting a record of 11-3-1 when they outshoot their opponents. Key players have significantly contributed to the team’s success. Alexander Suzdalev has been a standout, accumulating 10 points, including four goals and six assists, over his last seven games. Meanwhile, Andrew Perrott has been involved in physical play with six major penalties, and Micah Miller has proven to be a decisive factor with five game-winning goals. Connor Moore’s +18 plus-minus rating further highlights the team’s overall effectiveness. South Carolina’s dominance is particularly evident when leading after the first and second periods, holding perfect records of 12-0-0-0 and 14-1-1-0, respectively. Their ability to consistently outshoot opponents and secure wins reflects their strength and control on the ice.

South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

Top Scorers:

• Kyler Kupka: 20 points (10g, 10a) in 22 games, with a +13 rating.
• Micah Miller: 20 points (9g, 11a) in 22 games, with a +11 rating.
• Jamie Engelbert: 19 points (11g, 8a) in 22 games, with a +12 rating.
• Blake Thompson: 19 points (1g, 18a) in 22 games, with a +12 rating.
• Charlie Combs: 18 points (8g, 10a) in 22 games, with a +14 rating.

Notable Performances:

• Alexander Suzdalev: 18 points (7g, 11a) in 17 games, with a +10 rating.
• Austin Magera: 18 points (4g, 14a) in 22 games, with a +7 rating.

Goaltending:

• Garin Bjorklund: Seven games, five wins, 1.71 GAA, and a .943 save percentage.
• Seth Eisele: Nine games, six wins, 2.00 GAA, and a .931 save percentage.

Special Teams

Power Play Performance:

Savannah (SAV) and South Carolina (SC) stand out with strong power play percentages both at home and on the road, leading to high overall percentages of 20.6% and 25.7%, respectively.

Florida (FLA) has a solid home power play but struggles more on the road, resulting in a moderate overall percentage of 18.3%.

Greenville (GVL) and Orlando (ORL) have consistent but average power play performances, with overall percentages around 17%.

Jacksonville (JAX) and Atlanta (ATL) have significant challenges on the power play, especially on the road, leading to lower overall percentages of 12.5% and 10.6%, respectively.

Penalty Killing Performance:

South Carolina (SC) excels in penalty killing, especially on the road with a perfect 100%, resulting in an impressive overall percentage of 95.2%.

Savannah (SAV) and Florida (FLA) also perform well in penalty killing, maintaining high percentages both at home and on the road, with overall percentages around 85%.

Greenville (GVL) and Orlando (ORL) show strong penalty killing abilities, with overall percentages of 87.0% and 84.0%, respectively.

Jacksonville (JAX) and Atlanta (ATL) have solid penalty killing performances, but with slightly lower overall percentages of 84.3% and 79.5%, respectively.

Shorthanded Goals For (SHGF):

Florida (FLA) and Orlando (ORL) lead in scoring shorthanded goals, with five each overall.

Jacksonville (JAX) also performs well in this category with four shorthanded goals overall.

Savannah (SAV) has a moderate performance with three shorthanded goals overall.

Atlanta (ATL), Greenville (GVL), and South Carolina (SC) have fewer shorthanded goals, with two, one, and one respectively.

Shorthanded Goals Against (SHGA):

Atlanta (ATL) has not allowed any shorthanded goals, showing strong defensive play during power plays.

Florida (FLA), Greenville (GVL), Jacksonville (JAX), and Savannah (SAV) have allowed a few shorthanded goals, indicating some vulnerability.

Orlando (ORL) and South Carolina (SC) have allowed more shorthanded goals, with 4 and 3 respectively, suggesting areas for improvement in their power play defense.

The South Carolina Stingrays and Savannah Ghost Pirates are the top performers in special teams. South Carolina stands out in penalty killing and boasts a robust power play, while Savannah demonstrates solid capabilities in both areas. The Florida Everblades maintain consistency, particularly excelling at home and effectively scoring shorthanded goals. The Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Orlando Solar Bears deliver balanced yet average performances, with Orlando also shining in shorthanded goals. The Jacksonville Icemen and Atlanta Gladiators face significant hurdles, especially concerning power play effectiveness, with Atlanta struggling both at home and on the road.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, December 18

Jacksonville at Orlando (7:00 PM EST): This game is significant as both teams are looking to gain momentum early in the week. Jacksonville will aim to assert dominance, while Orlando will try to leverage home advantage.

Thursday, December 19

Atlanta at Savannah (7:00 PM EST): A regional rivalry that always brings excitement. Atlanta will be looking to solidify their standing and continue their three game win streak, while Savannah will be eager to defend their home turf.

Jacksonville at Greenville (7:05 PM EST): Another crucial game for Jacksonville as they face Greenville, a team known for its resilience.

Friday, December 20

Orlando at Atlanta (7:30 PM EST): A key matchup where Orlando will try to upset Atlanta on their home ground. This game could have significant implications for both teams’ standings.

South Carolina at Florida (7:30 PM EST): A clash between two strong teams. Florida will look to capitalize on their home advantage, while South Carolina will aim to prove their mettle.

Saturday, December 21

Jacksonville at Atlanta (7:00 PM EST): Jacksonville faces Atlanta again, making it a crucial back-to-back encounter. Both teams will be looking to make a statement.

South Carolina at Florida (7:00 PM EST): Another face-off between these two teams, adding to the intensity of their rivalry.

Orlando at Savannah (7:00 PM EST): Orlando will travel to Savannah, aiming to secure a win on the road.

Sunday, December 22

South Carolina at Orlando (6:00 PM EST): This game wraps up the week with South Carolina visiting Orlando. Both teams will be looking to end the week on a high note.

That wraps up our ECHL South Division Week 9 Recap. It’s been an exciting week with plenty of highlights and intense competition. As we move forward, keep an eye on the standout players and key matchups that could shake up the standings. Thanks for checking in, and we’ll see you next week for more updates and insights from the ECHL South Division.