ECHL: South Division Weekly Recap | Week 4

This divisional recap summarizes the South Division teams in the ECHL, focusing on their standings, recent game results, player milestones, and key statistics. For instance, the Savannah Ghost Pirates remain on top the division, while the Florida Everblades made some strides after a recent win against the Orlando Solar Bears. The Atlanta Gladiators secured a win against the Solar Bears despite a tough week on the road. We also highlighted a few player milestones, the divisions top notch goalies, and recent transactions, while capturing the latest trends in the division.

Current South Division Standings

1. Savannah Ghost Pirates: Leading the league with a record of 7-3-0-0, the Ghost Pirates have accumulated 14 points and boast a win percentage of 70%. They have scored 38 goals while allowing 28.
2. Florida Everblades: With a strong record of 6-2-0-0, the Everblades have 12 points and a win percentage of 75%. They have scored 24 goals and conceded 15..
3. South Carolina Stingrays: The Stingrays have a record of 5-2-1-0, earning 11 points with a win percentage of 68.8%. They have scored 27 goals and allowed 18.
4. Orlando Solar Bears: The Solar Bears have a record of 4-5-1-0, accumulating 9 points with a win percentage of 45.0%. They have scored 27 goals and conceded 31.
5. Atlanta Gladiators: With a record of 3-6-2-0, the Gladiators have 8 points and a win percentage of 36.4%. They have scored 14 goals and allowed 30.
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: The Swamp Rabbits have a record of 3-3-1-0, earning 7 points with a win percentage of 50%. They have scored 16 goals and conceded 23.
7. Jacksonville Icemen: With a record of 3-2-1-0, the Icemen have 7 points and a win percentage of 58.3%. They have scored 18 goals and allowed 17.

Here are the updates in the overall ECHL league standings for each South Division team from the previous week:

1. Savannah Ghost Pirates: No change (remained 3rd)
2. Florida Everblades: Up 1 spot (from 8th to 7th)
3. South Carolina Stingrays: Up 2 spots (from 14th to 12th)
4. Orlando Solar Bears: Down 1 spot (from 15th to 16th)
5. Atlanta Gladiators: Down 2 spots (from 17th to 19th)
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: Down 1 spot (from 21st to 22nd)
7. Jacksonville Icemen: Down 1 spot (from 22nd to 23rd)

ECHL Career Milestones

First Professional Goals

Josh Davies of the Savannah Ghost Pirates scored the first two goals of his professional career on November 9th. His first goal came at 7:54 in the first period, and he added another in the final frame to help Savannah secure the win against Idaho. It was announced on November 11th that Davies would get the call up and would be joining the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Ty Cheveldayoff also netted his first professional goal at 3:12 in the 1st period, with an assist from G. Van Wyhe. Cheveldayoff and the Jacksonville Icemen faced off against Atlanta on November 8, 2024, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena with Jacksonville winning the game 5-0.

ECHL South Division Game Scores (November 4 – 10, 2024)

Atlanta Gladiators

• Nov 3: Lost to South Carolina Stingrays 1-2 (OT) (North Charleston Coliseum)
• Nov 6: Beat Orlando Solar Bears 2-1 (Kia Center)
• Nov 8: Lost to Jacksonville Icemen 0-5 (VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena)
• Nov 9: Lost to Greenville Swamp Rabbits 0-3 (Bon Secours Wellness Arena)
• Nov 10: Lost to Greenville Swamp Rabbits 1-2 (Gas South Arena)

Florida Everblades

• Nov 8: Lost to Orlando Solar Bears 0-2 (Hertz Arena)
• Nov 9: Beat Orlando Solar Bears 4-1 (Hertz Arena)

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

• Nov 8: Lost to South Carolina Stingrays 2-5 (North Charleston Coliseum)
• Nov 9: Beat Atlanta Gladiators 3-0 (Bon Secours Wellness Arena)
• Nov 10: Beat Atlanta Gladiators 2-1 (Gas South Arena)

Jacksonville Icemen

• Nov 8: Beat Atlanta Gladiators 5-0 (VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena)
• Nov 9: Beat South Carolina Stingrays 5-3 (VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena)

Orlando Solar Bears

• Nov 4: Lost to Savannah Ghost Pirates 5-6 (Kia Center)
• Nov 6: Lost to Atlanta Gladiators 1-2 (Kia Center)
• Nov 8: Beat Florida Everblades 2-0 (Hertz Arena)
• Nov 9: Lost to Florida Everblades 1-4 (Hertz Arena)

Savannah Ghost Pirates

• Nov 4: Beat Orlando Solar Bears 6-5 (Kia Center)
• Nov 8: Lost to Idaho Steelheads 3-6 (Enmarket Arena)
• Nov 9: Beat Idaho Steelheads 4-3 (Enmarket Arena)
• Nov 10: Lost to Idaho Steelheads 2-4 (Enmarket Arena)

South Carolina Stingrays

• Nov 3: Beat Atlanta Gladiators 2-1 (OT) (North Charleston Coliseum)
• Nov 8: Beat Greenville Swamp Rabbits 5-2 (North Charleston Coliseum)
• Nov 9: Lost to Jacksonville Icemen 3-5 (VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena)

Atlanta Gladiators

• Atlanta has scored seven of its 14 goals in the third period.
• Points Leader: Cody Sylvester with six points (3g, 3a).
• Assist Leader: Cody Sylvester with three assists.

Florida Everblades

• Will Cranley is ninth with a 1.68 goals-against average.
• The Everblades are 4-1-0 when outshooting their opponent.
• Points Leader: John McCarron with 12 points (5g, 7a).
• Assist Leader: John McCarron with seven assists.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

• Carter Savoie is on a four-game point streak
• Greenville has killed 13 of its last 14 shorthanded situations (92.8%).
• Points Leader: Carter Savoie with five points (2g, 3a).
• Assist Leader: Carter Savoie with three assists.

Jacksonville Icemen

• Ivan Chukarov is tied for second with a 40.0 percent shooting percentage (2-for-5).
• The Icemen are 3-0-1 when leading after two periods.
• Points Leader: Ara Nazarian with seven points (4g, 3a).
• Assist Leader: Ara Nazarian with three assists.

Orlando Solar Bears

• Orlando has killed 13 of its last 14 shorthanded situations (92.8%).
• Points Leader: Ross Olsson with eight points (3g, 5a).
• Assist Leader: Ross Olsson with five assists.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

• Will Riedell is tied for second among defensemen with 11 points (2g, 9a).
• The Ghost Pirates are fourth with 34.60 shots per game.
• Points Leader: Will Riedell with 11 points (2g, 9a).
• Assist Leader: Will Riedell with nine assists.

South Carolina Stingrays

• Austin Magera has recorded at least one point in seven of the Stingrays’ eight games.
• South Carolina is 4-0-1 when scoring first.
• Points Leader: Austin Magera with 10 points (4g, 6a).
• Assist Leader: Austin Magera with six assists.

Goaltending

Here are the current three goalies to watch from the South Division:

Justen Close (#35, Jacksonville Icemen): Close achieved a record of 2-0-0 last week, featuring one shutout, a goals-against average of 1.50, and an impressive save percentage of .955 across two games. He successfully blocked all 28 shots to secure his first professional shutout in a 5-0 triumph against Atlanta on Friday, followed by 36 saves in a 5-3 win over South Carolina on Saturday. Close rightfully earned the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Week Four.

Close achieved a record of 2-0-0 last week, featuring one shutout, a goals-against average of 1.50, and an impressive save percentage of .955 across two games. He successfully blocked all 28 shots to secure his first professional shutout in a 5-0 triumph against Atlanta on Friday, followed by 36 saves in a 5-3 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

Seth Eisele (#35, South Carolina Stingrays): Eisele has been exceptional for South Carolina , playing 4 games with a save percentage of 0.948 and a goals against average (GAA) of 1.50. He has secured three wins and faced 115 shots, allowing only six goals. His consistent performance and low GAA make him a top goaltender in the division.

Will Cranley (#31, Florida Everblades): Cranley has been solid in the net for the Florida Everblades, with a save percentage of 0.944 and a GAA of 1.68 over three games. He has earned two wins and faced 89 shots, allowing only five goals. His high save percentage and low GAA highlight his reliability in the net.

Transactions (11/4-11/10)

Here are the transactions for each south division team:

Florida Everblades:  Riese Zmolek, defenseman, has been placed on the 14-day injured reserve list.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits : Forward Kaleb Lawrence was reassigned by the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) from the Ontario Reign (AHL)to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on November 8, 2024.

Jacksonville Icemen (JAX): The Jacksonville Icemen signed goaltender Brian Wilson to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) on November 9, 2024.

Orlando Solar Bears: The Orlando Solar Bears had goaltender Michael Simpson recalled from loan by Belleville (AHL) on November 9, 2024.

Savannah Ghost Pirates: The Savannah Ghost Pirates saw two players reassigned by the Florida Panthers (NHL) from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) on November 7, 2024. Goaltender Cooper Black and forward Josh Davies both joined the team. Davies would not remain with the Ghost Pirates long as he was called back to the AHL as of today.

South Carolina Stingrays: The South Carolina Stingrays had several transactions in the last week alone. Forward Ryan Leibold was traded to the Reading Royals on November 8, 2024, while forward Trevor Mingoia was released from his SPC on the same day. Forward Dalton Smith was recalled from loan by Hershey (AHL) on November 8, 2024. Additionally, goaltender Mitchell Gibson was reassigned by the Washington Capitals (NHL) from Hershey (AHL) on November 5, 2024, and defensemen Jayden Lee and Jon McDonald were loaned from Hershey (AHL) on November 5, 2024.

Fines & Suspensions

Jacksonville Icemen: Garrett Van Wyhe has been suspended for two games and fined for his actions in the ECHL Game #112 against South Carolina on Nov. 9. He received a major penalty and game misconduct for elbowing at 9:40 of the first period, violating Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline. Van Wyhe will miss the games against Orlando (Nov. 14) and Atlanta (Nov. 15).

Exciting Matchups

Alphabetically Listed – Home Venue

Atlanta Gladiators

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Jacksonville Icemen

Orlando Solar Bears

South Carolina Stingrays

It’s shaping up to be another exciting week for the South Division! With a blend of home and away games, fans can anticipate some thrilling matchups. As the week unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the standings shift and what changes occur. Where will the teams stand after Week Five? Only time will tell, but be sure to check back next week to see how things unfold!