DULUTH, GA – The South Carolina Stingrays skated past the Gwinnett Gladiators 4-1 before 6,295 at the Gwinnett Center. The Rays closed out their regular season with a record of 42-23-2-4, and the fourth best record overall in the ECHL with 90 points. They will open the playoffs on April 9 in Charlotte. Travis Morin, who was named to the First All-ECHL team, and was named recipient of the league’s Sportsmanship Award today. Morin paced the South Carolina victory with two goals including the game winner. Morin, the ninth round draft choice of the Washington Capitals in the 2004 entry draft, was the ECHL assist leader this season and will finish third in the overall scoring race with 88 points on 26 goals and 62 assists. James Rimer was the winning goaltender allowing the lone Gladiator goal on the 38 shots he faced. Jordan Fox got the Gwinnett goal which gave the Gladiators an early lead in the first period. However, it was a lead they could not hold onto as Morin broke loose for two straight short-handed goals in the last ten minutes of the first period. Period two was scoreless, but Jeff Corey and Scott Romfro got the other Stingray goals in the third period to add an insurance goal. Joe Fallon made 26 saves on the 30 shots he faced in goal for Gwinnett. The loss prevented the Gladiators from clinching the final playoff spot in the South Division of the ECHL’s American Conference. Gwinnett travels to Charlotte to play their final game of the season Sunday, while Mississippi plays at Florida. While Gwinnett has a slight lead in winning percentage, both teams still have a chance to make the playoffs. However, Gwinnett controls their own fate if they win or Mississippi loses in regulation they can claim fourth place in the South and the final playoffs spot in division. Stingrays Head Coach Jared Bednar has now led the Rays to two straight seasons of 40 wins or more. In his post game remarks he was particularly positive on the effort of his goaltending tandem of James Rimer and Jonathan Boutin. “They are the heart of our team right now”. He then went on to discuss preparations for the playoff series against Charlotte. “I have some tough choices to make in establishing the playoff roster.” He was most likely alluding to the choices he has to make, particularly among his defensive corps where he has more excellent players available than roster slots. Final playoff rosters are due to the league on Monday April 5th. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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