Rays change day for Game 5
Posted 06:19 p.m., April 28, 2008
Sorry, I meant to post something earlier in the day, but life kind of got in the way and a lengthy feature on Sasha Pokulok for tomorrow’s print edition.
First, a little news.
The South Carolina Stingrays announced today a change to the playoff schedule against the Columbia Inferno. Game Five, if necessary, will now take place on Monday, May 5th instead of Tuesday, May 6th at the North Charleston Coliseum. The game will still begin at 7:05 p.m.
Basically, the Cincinnati-Reading series was going to end on Monday, May 5 and Rays and Inferno didn’t want those teams getting an extra day’s rest. Makes sense to me.
Thoughts on Game 1 against the Inferno.
I thought the Rays were very strong defensively for the final 40 minutes of the game against the Inferno First period, the Inferno got some a chances, but Davis was both good and lucky a couple of times. Like Kirk Daubenspeck told me, “sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.”
11 shots over the final two periods and just five in the third period show you the kind of commitment the Rays have to defense during the playoffs.
No question Columbia is a vastly improved team from the regular season. Columbia coach Troy Mann has them playing their systems very well. Inferno forward Brad Ralph will most likely be in the lineup for Game 2 Tuesday night. Couldn’t get his exact injury from my Inferno sources.
Steve Pinizzotto was the difference maker out there in Game 1. Not just his game-winning goal, but his physical presence was superb. The Boys enjoy having him back, he’s like the goofy little brother that everyone on the team love’s to pick on and protect all at the same time.
The good news continues to roll in for the Rays.
Andrew Gordon and Patrick McNeill arrived in town today. They didn’t practice this morning, but will take part in the Rays pre-game skate Tuesday.
Gordon was a second-line player for Hershey and could be the player that puts the Rays over the top in their quest for a third Kelly Cup. Patrick McNeill played well in Game 5 against Augusta and should help on the power play.
See you at the Rink,
APM
Comments
Posted by borohockey8 on April 28 at 6:26 p.m.
Andrew,
Any information on which players sit for Gordon and McNeil? Thanks!
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on April 28 at 6:29 p.m.
borohockey8,
I know that McIlveen and Griffith won't be in the lineup. just placed on the 3-day IR.
APM
Posted by borohockey8 on April 28 at 6:45 p.m.
Add Smith to being a scratch and either Rory or Romfo and the lineup should look something like this:
McLean, Chaput, Morin, Pinizzotto, Campbell, Werner, Guerin, Scherer, O'Brien, and Gordon (10 Forwards)
Collins, McNeil, McNeil, Kiser, Sasha, Rory/Romfo (6 D-Men)
Parley and Johnson
Scratches: Griffith, Smith, McIlveen, and Rory or Romfo
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 28 at 10:42 p.m.
Just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone wants to go to the game on Friday and needs a way to get there. The Booster Club has secured a bus for Friday night (and has it on standby for Saturday if we need it). Cost is $20 per person and covers your transportation to and from the game. You would need to get your own tickets, either by calling the Inferno office and getting the special group price (info on the Stingrays website) or at the door when you get there (more expensive!). If you need more information or to sign up to go, stop by the Booster Club table outside of section 120 on Tuesday night.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming!! ;-)
Posted by smv8618 on April 29 at 7:54 a.m.
Do you think that he is going to Scratch the same people every game, now that all our Hersey players are back?
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 29 at 11:54 a.m.
Andrew,
Good article in today's paper on Sasha. As an aside, when we were in Gwinnett, it happened that I rode the elevator down with him (this was after Game 1) and I really thought he had played well in Game 1. I told him that and said that I had definitely noticed his improvement on the ice. He was very gracious in his thanks, but his face told the whole story. His face lit up and and you could tell he was very appreciative that I had taken the time to tell him how well I thought he had done. I see this kid on a regular basis, and because he is so quiet and soft spoken, I admit, I misjudged him as being arrogant and aloof. That is definitely on me (you woulda thought that after all these years I would know better).
I really didn't realize how young this kid was until I saw his face light up like it was Christmas morning over a few kind words. I truly hope that he continues his improvement here so that he will be another one we can say "I knew him when."
And Andrew, I really enjoy these kinds of stories and those that profile "A Day In The Life" (hint, hint). Maybe we can see more of them for the remainder of the season and a lot more next year?
Posted by penaltykiller on April 29 at 2:11 p.m.
My 6 year old son got to be real good friends when he was down last season and sitting in the stands from the post-concussion symptoms. After his first game back with us this season, we got together with him after the game in the locker room. You should have seen the two of them. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Sasha is a good kid and great to have him back in SC.
Posted by threeman33 on April 29 at 10:22 p.m.
Well Tuesday's game is in the books. Great first and third periods. The second.....Well at least we got our momentum back. Who's going up on Friday? Where is everyone sitting? We need to get a section like the Inferno did and make some noise.
Posted by season_ticket_holder on April 29 at 10:27 p.m.
Observations from Game #2
1.Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends - the friends of course are Gordo and "The Real Deal" Pat McNeill. And let's hope we can keep this show running for another 9 wins before it ends.
2. I was having a flashback yet I was sober - for a couple of minutes tonight I thought I saw Coo-Coo out there. Turned out it was Pinizotto doing his Robby Concannon impression.
3. Wish I had worn a hat - Marty Guerin leads the league in post season goals - 'nuff said.
4. Why say it in 5 words when you can say it in 5 minutes - in listening to the game on the radio I began wondering if Andrew has the ability to say "Jared Bednar" without saying "Head Coach" first. While I'm at it Andrew do you think its possible to say "Stingrays" without always prefacing it with "South Carolina" first?
5. I miss Mojo Steve and his dancing - He's more entertaining than Suspender Man and we don't have to worry about him pitching a baby over the railing during his 15 seconds of fame.
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on April 29 at 11:18 p.m.
Peter Tsimikalis of the inferno acts tough but will not drop the gloves.
Lets Go Rays!
Posted by borohockey8 on April 29 at 11:21 p.m.
Good move by Bednar tonight on scratching Rory even though I told everyone on here he would be a healthy scratch. No need to apologize people. Im just kidding and I am glad the Rays won tonight! Let's Go Rays!
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 29 at 11:43 p.m.
The boys played a great 1st and 3rd period. Hope the 2nd tonight is the last one they take off for awhile. They are going to need to play 60 minutes of hockey on Friday. The Inferno are not going to go down without putting up a heck of a fight and they are going to have a few days to rest after their long road trips.
An update, the Booster Club bus for Friday is sold out. There are lots of folks going up for the game and if you will call the Inferno office you will get a reduced ticket price and they are putting everyone in the same section so we can sit together.
Good to have Steve Pinizzotto back. Lots of life and excitement in that kid (and ya gotta love that smile as he is knocking someone, anyone, it doesn't matter to him, on their behind)
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on April 30 at 12:03 a.m.
Season_Ticket_holder
As I've learned over the years on the radio, Stingray fans are not the only ones listening to the broadcast. I used to get emails from fans of other teams, and from the ECHL, saying that there are times when listeners do not know who is playing and coaching for which team. So, with that in mind I try to preface what I say with a title. ... Columbia does not have a broadcaster, so their fans are listening to Josh and myself do the games.
Remember, the Stingrays are not the only team in the ECHL that have fans that love their team.
APM
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 30 at 12:37 a.m.
Andrew, unless I missed something, the broadcasts are mainly for the fans/family members/supporters of the Stingrays. I listen to broadcasts of many teams throughout this league and others (listening to the Alaska/Vegas game right now), and sometimes I don't know the rosters for each team, but it is usually pretty easy to figure out if you listen for more than 5 minutes or so. Also, it takes all of 30 seconds to find the game sheet and open it up so you have the rosters of both teams, along with the coaching staff, etc. right there in front of you. Not really necessary to beat a horse to death to get the point across.
I personally think you should be more concerned with the opinions of the Stingray fans than anyone else. They are after all, the ones who attend the games, patronize the advertisers and buy your newspaper and generally support this team with their time, efforts and money.
I quit listening to the home games just over 2 years ago. The quality of the broadcasts diminished considerably and it was too frustrating to listen to and certainly not worth dragging the radio back and forth.
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on April 30 at 5:17 a.m.
The Columbia Inferno have offered special group rate tickets to all Stingrays fans thinking of making the trip to Columbia.
The Inferno will be offering three price levels for Stingrays fans. Tickets will be $10, $13 and $16. To get tickets for the game, call Wendy Hennessy in the Columbia office at 1-803-255-7825 ext: 105 or e-mail her at WendyH@columbiainferno.com.
Lets Go Rays!
Posted by season_ticket_holder on April 30 at 2:12 p.m.
Andrew,
No need to take any offense to my comment - it was merely an observation. But it has sparked additional questions:
1. This isn't a network gig for you so I assume you are being compensated by the hockey club - if my assumption is correct then you are allowed (and expected) to be a "homer" and as much as it pains me to say, I have to agree with RF34 when she said you should be more concerned with the opinions of the Stingray fans.
2. I thought your radio gig, as you have discussed on this blog before was that of a historian. That said, it's Josh's job to make sure the listeners, regardless of their affiliation know who is who on the ice and behind the bench. Unless of course you are assuming that as the historian it is your job to continually remind us that Jared is the "Head Coach" and that the Stingrays are from "South Carolina" less we forget....
Lighten up Andrew, I'm having a little fun with you - one of the problems with this blog is that while you have to put out there who YOU really are, the rest of us can hide behind username aliases (well except Robby and I think he WANTED you to know it was him!).
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on April 30 at 3:29 p.m.
season_ticket_holder
No offense taken. The broadcast gig is a non-paying affair for me. I was just pointing out that the broadcast is on the Internet and that Rays fans are not only ones listening in. It was more, "this is why I say what I say" but you're probably right, I could shorten it and will try and remember that in the future.
As far as being a "homer" even if I was paid, I couldn't be a homer. Not in my make-up.
APM
Posted by season_ticket_holder on April 30 at 3:37 p.m.
You wear make up? I thought you were on the radio?
Sorry, just couldn't resist.......
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on April 30 at 3:50 p.m.
season_ticket_holder
Funny. Don't quit your day job!!
APM
Posted by season_ticket_holder on April 30 at 4:23 p.m.
hell, this IS my day job..........
Posted by Gr8tfulRayFan on April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
"You can put lipstick on an Andrew, but it's still just an Andrew"
*Smirk*
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 30 at 4:42 p.m.
Hey Andrew, the ECHL has announced they have released next year's schedule, though it isn't there to take a look at. Seems someone forgot to tell them that if you are announcing that you have released the schedule, they actually should have the schedule available. Any chance you can get our front office to turn it loose? I know they have had it for weeks waiting on the final tweaking, but since the ECHL has made it official, sort of, maybe they can release it?
We don't need to worry about the 17th because we know we will open up in Augusta, or the 18th because we open up at home against Augusta, but the remaining 6 months would be nice. :-)
Thanks.
RF34
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