ECHL: South Division Weekly Recap | Week 5

The South Division of the ECHL has seen some exciting developments over the past week. The South Carolina Stingrays have surged to the top of the standings with impressive performances, while the Florida Everblades continue to make significant strides. Despite a challenging week, the Savannah Ghost Pirates remained competitive, and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Jacksonville Icemen have shown notable improvements. Meanwhile, the Orlando Solar Bears and Atlanta Gladiators have both struggled, facing tough losses and working hard to bounce back.

This recap will highlight the latest standings, game results, player milestones, top goalies, recent transactions, and emerging trends within the division.

Current South Division Standings

1. South Carolina Stingrays: Leading the league with a record of 9-2-1-0, the Stingrays have accumulated 19 points and boast a win percentage of 79.2%. They have scored 50 goals while allowing only 22.
2. Florida Everblades: With a record of 9-3-0-0, the Everblades have 18 points and a win percentage of 75%. They have scored 40 goals while allowing 20.
3. Savannah Ghost Pirates: Holding a record of 8-5-0-0, the Ghost Pirates have 16 points and a win percentage of 61.5%. They have scored 45 goals while allowing 38.
4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: With a record of 5-4-1-0, the Swamp Rabbits have 11 points and a win percentage of 55%. They have scored 23 goals while allowing 36.
5. Jacksonville Icemen: The Icemen have a record of 5-3-1-0, accumulating 11 points with a win percentage of 61.1%. They have scored 29 goals while allowing 25.
6. Orlando Solar Bears: With a record of 5-7-1-0, the Solar Bears have 11 points and a win percentage of 42.3%. They have scored 34 goals while allowing 38.
7. Atlanta Gladiators: The Gladiators have a record of 3-8-2-0, with 8 points and a win percentage of 30.8%. They have scored 18 goals while allowing 39.

Current League Standings

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

1. South Carolina Stingrays: Moved up to 1st place.
2. Florida Everblades: Moved up to 3rd place from 7th.
3. Savannah Ghost Pirates: Dropped to 8th place from 3rd.
4. Orlando Solar Bears: Dropped to 21st place from 16th.
5. Atlanta Gladiators: Dropped to 28th place from 19th.
6. Greenville Swamp Rabbits: Moved up to 19th place from 22nd.
7. Jacksonville Icemen: Moved up to 20th place from 23rd.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

The Savannah Ghost Pirates have encountered a challenging phase lately, slipping from 3rd to 8th place. It began with a close 4-3 loss to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on November 13, which was soon followed by a 4-1 loss to the Jacksonville Icemen on November 16. Nevertheless, they rebounded with a vital 3-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears the next day. These results demonstrate their resilience while also highlighting areas that require improvement, especially in defense.

The recent victory against the Orlando Solar Bears has positively affected their win-loss record and overall win percentage. To date they have scored 45 goals while conceding 38, resulting in a favorable goal differential that is crucial for a strong league position. However, their power play percentage stands at 15.5%, indicating a need for better execution during power plays. Their penalty kill percentage of 83.7% does reflect their commendable defensive efforts when they are short-handed. Though this may have helped the Ghost Pirates maintain a competitive edge, concentrating on enhancing their power play efficiency could further elevate their standings.

Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears have also had a tough time, dropping from 16th to 21st place. It started with a narrow 1-0 loss to the Florida Everblades at home on November 11, despite a strong defensive effort. However, they rebounded with a crucial 5-3 victory over the Jacksonville Icemen on November 14. The week concluded with a close 3-2 defeat to the Savannah Ghost Pirates on November 17. Their recent games have exposed some problems in both their offense and defense. They have struggled to take advantage of scoring chances while conceding too many goals. The Solar Bears may need to focus on shoring up their defense and achieving more consistent scoring to try to turn their season around. Their power play and penalty kill percentages are decent, but there’s room for improvement.

Atlanta Gladiators

The Atlanta Gladiators have seen a significant drop in their league standings, falling from 19th to 28th place. They are currently on another losing streak, with their latest loss being a 4-2 defeat to the Jacksonville Icemen. The Gladiators have struggled with both scoring and defending, managing only 18 goals while conceding 39. Their recent performances have been marked by a few defensive lapses and an inability to finish prime scoring chances. They have had some really great shots on the net, just haven’t had the results on those that they had wanted. The team is looking to break their losing streak once again and climb their way back up the standings.

They have their next chance to do so Tuesday morning when they take on the Orlando Solar Bears, who host Atlanta for their School Day game at 10:30 AM. Atlanta beat the Solar Bears the last time they met, with a score of 2-1 on November 6, which was their last regulation win.

ECHL Career Milestones

Orlando: Tyler Bird played in his 300th game as a Solar Bear on Thursday, November 14th.

Atlanta Gladiators: Andrew Jarvis scored his first goal with the Gladiators in his 111th career game on Thursday.

Here are the updates for each South Division team, including points and assists leaders, top scorers, impacts, and the contributions of key defensemen:

Score First, Win

Here are the winning percentages for the top three South Division teams when scoring first. Note that all three teams also currently stand at the front of the division:

1. Florida (FLA): 100%
2. Savannah (SAV): 100%
3. South Carolina (SC): 94.4%

Florida (FLA)

Florida has been a dominant force in the South Division, especially when they score first. With a perfect winning percentage of 100%, they have shown remarkable consistency in this area. Their ability to maintain a lead and secure victories highlights their strong defensive strategies and effective game management. This makes them a formidable opponent and a team to continue to watch in the league.

Savannah (SAV)

Savannah also boasts a perfect record when scoring first, with a 100% winning percentage. This has demonstrated excellent offensive capabilities for Savannah, often taking the early leads and maintaining that throughout. Their success can be attributed to a combination of skilled players, strategic plays, and a cohesive team effort. Savannah’s ability to capitalize on early advantages makes them a significant contender in the South Division.

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina has an impressive winning percentage of 94.4% when scoring first. With nine wins out of 12 games, they have shown they can effectively control the game once they take the lead. Their strong performance is a result of solid teamwork, strategic planning, and the ability to adapt to different game situations. South Carolina’s near-perfect record underscores their competitive edge and determination to succeed in the league.

Players on Streaks

Game On: Team Winning Streaks and Slumps

In recent weeks, several teams have experienced notable streaks, both winning and losing, that highlight the competitive nature of the season. South Carolina is currently enjoying a four-game winning streak, with their last victory recorded on November 13. Meanwhile, South Carolina and Florida have both succeeded on the road, each racking up four consecutive wins, with Florida’s streak occurring from November 2 to November 16.

On the flip side, Atlanta is facing challenges, enduring a five-game winless streak that began on November 8. They are also struggling on the road, having lost three games consecutively since the same date. Orlando shares the pain of a home winless streak, currently at four games, starting on November 4. Additionally, Atlanta’s overall performance has been concerning, as they have not only failed to win in their last five outings but have also accumulated losses in overtime or shootouts, further extending their losing streak.

Goaltending Leaders

Seth Eisele (South Carolina)

Seth Eisele has been a standout goaltender for South Carolina this season. In his 5 games, he has clocked 301 minutes on the ice, securing 4 wins and 1 overtime loss. His impressive performance includes two shutouts and only seven goals against, resulting in a stellar goals-against average (GAA) of 1.40. With 132 shots against and 125 saves, Eisele boasts a remarkable save percentage of 0.947, making him a key player in South Carolina’s defensive lineup.

Cam Johnson (Florida)

Cam Johnson has been a reliable presence in goal for Florida, playing 7 games and accumulating 423 minutes. He has achieved 6 wins and only one loss, with two shutouts to his name. Johnson has allowed just 10 goals, giving him a GAA of 1.42. Facing 155 shots and making 145 saves, his save percentage stands at an impressive 0.935. Johnson’s consistent performance has been crucial for Florida’s success this season. It was no surprise that he earned the Goaltender of the Week award.

Garin Bjorklund (South Carolina)

Garin Bjorklund has also been a strong performer for South Carolina, playing 4 games and spending 244 minutes in the net. He has recorded three wins and only one loss, with six goals against, resulting in a GAA of 1.48. Bjorklund has faced 121 shots and made 115 saves, achieving a save percentage of 0.950. His solid goaltending has contributed significantly to South Carolina’s defensive strength.

These goaltenders have not only excelled individually but have also played pivotal roles in their teams’ overall performance, showcasing their importance within the South Division.

Defensemen Making Moves

Jayden Lee of the South Carolina Stingrays has been a key player, contributing significantly with 12 points in just 10 games. His impressive tally includes 2 goals and 10 assists, showcasing his ability to both score and set up plays. Similarly, Will Riedell from the Savannah Ghost Pirates has matched Lee’s point total with 12 points in 13 games, also scoring 2 goals and providing 10 assists. Both players are crucial to their teams’ offensive and defensive strategies. On the defensive end, Jimmy Mazza of the Orlando Solar Bears has been a physical presence, accumulating 30 penalty minutes in 13 games, indicating his tough, no-nonsense style of play. Additionally, Jayden Lee is a rookie, making his performance even more impressive as he adjusts to the professional level.

Dennis Cesana of the Savannah Ghost Pirates has been an offensive force from the blue line, tallying 10 points (3g, 7a) in 13 games. His aggressive play is further highlighted by his 42 shots, making him a constant threat in the offensive zone. On the other hand, Blake Thompson of the South Carolina Stingrays has also been a reliable contributor, with eight points (1g, 7a) in 12 games. Both players are crucial to their teams, balancing their defensive responsibilities with their ability to generate offense.

Transactions (11/4-11/10)

Here are the transactions for each south division team listed alphabetically.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

The Savannah Ghost Pirates had forward Josh Davies reassigned by Florida (NHL) to Charlotte (AHL) on November 11, 2024.

South Carolina Stingrays

The South Carolina Stingrays have had no recent transactions.

Fines & Suspensions

South Carolina: The ECHL Department of Player Safety suspended Maine’s Jacob Hudson and South Carolina’s Ben Hawerchuk for five games each and fined them undisclosed amounts for leaving the penalty box to join an altercation on November 16, 2024. Hawerchuk will miss South Carolina’s games against Maine, Greenville, Adirondack, and Jacksonville.

What’s Next?

It’s shaping up to be another exciting week for the South Division! 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 Six? Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each team’s performances and explore how they influence the dynamics of the South Division and the league as a whole. Join us next week for more insights and analysis on the key players driving their teams towards success in the South.