Rays can clinch series with Inferno tonight
Posted 10:41 a.m., May 2, 2008
Last time the Stingrays had a team 2-0 in a series was against Gwinnett and certain people in the Rays front office felt like Game 3 with the Gladiators was a mere formality.
Given the history of the Rays at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, I wasn’t so sure. They’d won just one game in two years in Gwinnett and that place has a way of just sucking all the confidence and energy out of an opposing teams.
That’s not the case tonight. I’ll be surprised if the Stingrays don’t wrap-up the series tonight against the Inferno. As I’ve stated before, the Inferno are a good team. They beat Texas and Florida and before the Kelly Cup playoffs, I would have given both the Everblades and Wildcatters a better than average chance of coming out of the South Division.
With that said, the Rays have made the Inferno look, a step slow and pretty mediocre.
While playing up at the Carolina Coliseum tonight won’t be easy, the Rays certainly have had plenty of success in their barn this season with a 4-1 record. Yes, the Inferno have their players back, but it just seems like the Rays have figured out how to play up there. In some ways, the Carolina Coliseum, unlike Augusta’s James Brown Arena (for some reason no one on the team can explain to me), fits the Rays defensive style of play better. But if that’s the case why did the Rays have so much trouble in Augusta?
The Rays are hungry and need to prove to themselves they can win on the road. 8-0 at home is great, but 0-4 on the road won’t win you a Kelly Cup.
But like team captain Cail MacLean said in the print edition of the P & C this morning, “it’s not over until you start shaking hands.” For lack of a better term, the Rays have to have a killer instinct tonight. They’ve got the Inferno on ropes, now they need a knockout punch. The longer Columbia stays in the game and in the series for that matter, the more confidence they’ll get.
I went to a couple of practices this week and everyone looks about as loose as you can be in the playoffs. Andrew Gordon told me he’s had more fun down here playing hockey than he’s had in a while. That’s not to say he wasn’t enjoying himself in Hershey, but its all business in the AHL with everyone trying to get to the NHL. Usually when guys are having fun, they’re playing well.
Pinizzotto has been dominating at practices. The Rays did a lot of 3on-2 drills and Pinner was all over the Rays D. Feel sorry for the Inferno D tonight and anyone else not in a Stingrays jersey the rest of the playoffs.
One last thing, if you’re not going to go up to Columbia, you can still catch the game with your Stingray friends at Bobby Hartin’s Sports Bar on the corner Sam Rittenberg Blvd. and Orange Grove Road in West Ashley.
The game will be televised by B2 Network with the audio provided by the Voice of the Rays Josh Heller and of course the always incisive, in-depth (and modest might I add) analysis by yours truly. Bobby has graciously agreed to show it on one of the big screen TVs at the bar.
Face off is 7 p.m.
Everyone drive safely up to Columbia.
See you at the Rink,
Comments
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 2 at 11:39 a.m.
From the way things sound, we should have a large contingency in Columbia tonight ... if you are making the trip, bring any and all noisemakers (I don't think air horns are allowed, unless powered with your own air LOL) Let's let the boys hear us Loud and Proud!
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on May 2 at 8:35 p.m.
The Name Josh was looking for is Masahito Nishiwaki
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 3 at 10:27 a.m.
Hey Andrew, do you still think the Inferno looked a step slow and mediocre last night?
I walked in that building last night listening to Rays fans talk on and on about a sweep and they wish they had brought their brooms, etc., and I kept thinking did you people not notice that Columbia just beat the one of the best team's in the League to get here?
It was a great game last night, but for a good part of it, we were the ones that looked a step behind. The ice was in horrible shape, but that's really no excuse as both teams had to play on it. There was a great crowd of Stingray fans there and we were LOUD and PROUD cheering on the guys, but last night was not meant to be the night that the Inferno's light went out (probably for good).
Hope to see all my fellow Stingray fans back in Columbia tonight. Keep the noise up for the boys ... but Andrew, no more locker room material for the Inferno ... please??? LOL
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 3 at 10:35 a.m.
How big a crowd was at Bobby Hartin's last night? I just wanted to remind everyone to make sure to tell Bobby thanks for broadcasting the game there for those that can't make the trips. Those games are not cheap to have the feed, and Bobby, while he needs some help with his hockey knowledge, has always been good to the Stingray Nation.
So, in the event Bobby will see this, thanks Bobby for all you have done through the years. From the Coaches show, to the Kelly Cup celebration 7 years ago to all the plugs on your show, to the game feeds and everything in between, you have been there supporting us ... Thank you!!
Posted by borohockey8 on May 3 at 11:01 a.m.
Will Bobby Hartin's be televising game 4 tonight?
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 3 at 11:10 a.m.
Yes, Bobby Hartin's will be televising the game tonight. If you can't make the trip, but want to see the game among fellow Stingray fans, here's your chance ... and don't forget ... say thanks!!
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