2009 Kelly Cup playoffs

The 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL began on April 9, 2009. The 16 teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played a best-of-7 series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Kelly Cup.

2009 Kelly Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 9–June 5, 2009
Teams16
Final positions
ChampionsSouth Carolina Stingrays
Runner-upAlaska Aces
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)Josh Soares (Alaska)
(27 points)
← 2008
2010 →

Three league records were set during the first round of the playoffs. Game One of the North Division semifinals became the longest game in ECHL history, as the Elmira Jackals defeated the Trenton Devils 5 – 4 in a game that lasted 126:10. Elmira's Josh Aspenlind scored the game-winning goal at 6:10 of the fourth overtime.[1] Previously, the longest game was the Greenville Grrrowl's 3 – 2 four overtime victory against the Louisiana IceGators in Game Two of the 2000 Southern Conference Finals, which lasted 121:24. The game saw another league record fall, as Elmira and Trenton combined for 145 shots on goal (75 for Trenton, 70 for Elmira), besting the 139 combined shots on goal by Louisiana (82) and the Jackson Bandits (57) in Jackson's 5 – 4 triple overtime victory in Game Two of the 2002 Southwest Division Semifinals. Elmira's goaltender, Michael Teslak made the third most saves in a single game in ECHL history with 71.[2]

April 22 also went down in the ECHL history books as for the first time in the league's 21-year history, two Game 7s were played on the same day as the Stockton Thunder defeated the Ontario Reign 5 – 4 and the Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Bakersfield Condors 5 – 1, both games were Pacific Division Semifinals matchups.[3]

The Division finals saw the defending Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones and the Alaska Aces cruise to easy Conference finals berths, under completely different circumstances. Cincinnati swept Elmira after both teams went the full seven games in their opening series, while Alaska defeated the Victoria Salmon Kings four games to one with both teams having an extended rest, with Victoria sweeping their opening series and Alaska winning their series in five games. The South Carolina Stingrays required a little more effort to oust the Florida Everblades, who sat atop the league's regular season standings, defeating them in six games to advance to play the Cyclones in the conference finals.

Three (Alaska, Cincinnati and South Carolina) of the four teams in the Conference Finals were former Kelly Cup Champions. The American Conference finals was a rematch of the 2008 edition with Cincinnati taking on South Carolina and Las Vegas made their second consecutive trip to the National Conference finals, taking on their most heated rival the Alaska Aces.

The South Carolina Stingrays led the Alaska Aces, 3-1, headed to Game 5 before blowing the lead, and having to face a Game 7, where the Stingrays clinched their third Kelly Cup with a 4-2 win, winning the series, 4-3. The Stingrays tied the ECHL record for most ECHL championships, with three. South Carolina would get their revenge on Cincinnati for defeating the Stingrays in the 2008 American Conference finals by sweeping the Cyclones in four games. The National Conference finals had the same results with Alaska sweeping Las Vegas in four games.

Playoff seeds

After the 2008–09 ECHL regular season, 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Florida Everblades were the American Conference regular season champions as well as the Brabham Cup winners with the best overall regular season record. The Alaska Aces were the National Conference regular season champions. South Carolina goaltender James Reimer was named the Kelly Cup Finals MVP.

North Division
  1. Cincinnati Cyclones - 87 points
  2. Trenton Devils - 87 points
  3. Elmira Jackals - 85 points
  4. Wheeling Nailers - 80 points

South Division
  1. Florida Everblades - American Conference regular season champions, Brabham Cup winners, 103 points
  2. South Carolina Stingrays - 90 points
  3. Charlotte Checkers - 76 points
  4. Gwinnett Gladiators - 68 points

Pacific Division
  1. Ontario Reign - 82 points
  2. Las Vegas Wranglers - 76 points
  3. Bakersfield Condors - 74 points
  4. Stockton Thunder - 71 points

West Division
  1. Alaska Aces - National Conference regular season champions, 93 points
  2. Idaho Steelheads - 92 points
  3. Victoria Salmon Kings - 83 points
  4. Utah Grizzlies - 72 points

Bracket
Division semifinals Division finals Conference finals Kelly Cup finals
            
N1 Cincinnati 4
N4 Wheeling 3
N1 Cincinnati 4
North Division
N3 Elmira 0
N2 Trenton 3
N3 Elmira 4
N1 Cincinnati 0
American Conference
S2 South Carolina 4
S1 Florida 4
S4 Gwinnett 1
S1 Florida 2
South Division
S2 South Carolina 4
S2 South Carolina 4
S3 Charlotte 2
S2 South Carolina 4
W1 Alaska 3
P1 Ontario 3
P4 Stockton 4
P4 Stockton 3
Pacific Division
P2 Las Vegas 4
P2 Las Vegas 4
P3 Bakersfield 3
P2 Las Vegas 0
National Conference
W1 Alaska 4
W1 Alaska 4
W4 Utah 1
W1 Alaska 4
West Division
W3 Victoria 1
W2 Idaho 0
W3 Victoria 4

Statistical leaders

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.[4]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Josh SoaresAlaska Aces20101727+1219
Colin HemingwayAlaska Aces2091524+1214
Trent CampbellSouth Carolina Stingrays2251823+213
Travis MorinSouth Carolina Stingrays1841721+1112
Cam KeithAlaska Aces1931720+1019
Alexandre ImbeaultAlaska Aces1971219010
Jeff CoreySouth Carolina Stingrays2211718+312
Nikita KashirskySouth Carolina Stingrays2161218+1318
Maxime LacroixSouth Carolina Stingrays2212517+637
Pierre-Luc O'BrienSouth Carolina Stingrays2251217016

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; Yellow shade = team still in playoffs

All statistics as of: 08:00, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

Goaltending

These are the top five goaltenders based on both goals against average and save percentage with at least one game played (Note: list is sorted by goals against average).[5]

Player Team GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO Min
Jean-Philippe LamoureuxAlaska Aces20155598381.89.93641205
Josh JohnsonGwinnett Gladiators30212472.10.9440200
James ReimerSouth Carolina Stingrays733224162.20.9291437
Jeff FrazeeTrenton Devils422116102.22.9140271
Curtis DarlingWheeling Nailers734274162.23.9421430

GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time on ice (in minutes); Yellow shade = team still in playoffs

All statistics as of: 08:00, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

Division Semifinals
Note 1: All times are local.
Note 2: Game times in italics signify games to be played only if necessary.
Note 3: Home team is listed first.
(N1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (N4) Wheeling Nailers
April 9 Cincinnati Cyclones 1 – 4 Wheeling Nailers US Bank Arena
April 10 Cincinnati Cyclones 1 – 3 Wheeling Nailers US Bank Arena
April 11 Wheeling Nailers 3 – 7 Cincinnati Cyclones WesBanco Arena
April 15 Wheeling Nailers 3 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones WesBanco Arena
April 17 Wheeling Nailers 1 – 2 Cincinnati Cyclones WesBanco Arena
April 18 Cincinnati Cyclones 0 – 6 Wheeling Nailers US Bank Arena
April 20 Cincinnati Cyclones 2 – 1 2OT Wheeling Nailers US Bank Arena
Cincinnati wins series 4–3
(N2) Trenton Devils vs. (N3) Elmira Jackals
April 10 Trenton Devils 4 – 5 4OT Elmira Jackals Sovereign Bank Arena
April 11 Trenton Devils 6 –5 Elmira Jackals Sovereign Bank Arena
April 15 Elmira Jackals 5 – 0 Trenton Devils First Arena
April 16 Elmira Jackals 3 – 1 Trenton Devils First Arena
April 18 Elmira Jackals 2 – 3 OT Trenton Devils First Arena
April 19 Trenton Devils 3 – 2 2OT Elmira Jackals Sovereign Bank Arena
April 21 Trenton Devils 3 – 5 Elmira Jackals Sovereign Bank Arena
Elmira wins series 4–3
(S1) Florida Everblades vs. (S4) Gwinnett Gladiators
April 10 Florida Everblades 5 – 3 Gwinnett Gladiators Germain Arena
April 11 Florida Everblades 3 – 2 OT Gwinnett Gladiators Germain Arena
April 16 Gwinnett Gladiators 3 – 2 OT Florida Everblades Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 17 Gwinnett Gladiators 2 – 4 Florida Everblades Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 19 Florida Everblades 4 – 2 Gwinnett Gladiators Germain Arena
Florida wins series 4–1
(S2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (S3) Charlotte Checkers
April 9 Charlotte Checkers 5 – 3 South Carolina Stingrays Extreme Ice Center (Indian Trail, NC)
April 11 Charlotte Checkers 5 – 3 South Carolina Stingrays Extreme Ice Center (Indian Trail, NC)
April 14 South Carolina Stingrays 4 – 2 Charlotte Checkers North Charleston Coliseum
April 16 South Carolina Stingrays 4 – 1 Charlotte Checkers North Charleston Coliseum
April 17 South Carolina Stingrays 8 – 3 Charlotte Checkers North Charleston Coliseum
April 19 Charlotte Checkers 3 – 4 South Carolina Stingrays Extreme Ice Center (Indian Trail, NC)
South Carolina wins series 4–2

NOTE: Neither team's home arena was available in the first week of the ECHL playoffs; Time Warner Cable Arena was unavailable for this round (final week of NBA games by the Charlotte Bobcats, and the North Charleston Coliseum had rehearsals for a concert tour. The ECHL arranged the playoff series in the following order: two games at the Extreme Ice Center, three games at the North Charleston Coliseum, and then one game at the Extreme Ice Center. Had a seventh game been necessary, it would have been played at the North Charleston Coliseum.

(P1) Ontario Reign vs. (P4) Stockton Thunder
April 10 Ontario Reign 4 – 3 Stockton Thunder Citizens Business Bank Arena
April 11 Ontario Reign 5 – 6 Stockton Thunder Citizens Business Bank Arena
April 15 Stockton Thunder 1 – 5 Ontario Reign Stockton Arena
April 17 Stockton Thunder 5 – 4 OT Ontario Reign Stockton Arena
April 19 Stockton Thunder 4 – 2 Ontario Reign Stockton Arena
April 21 Ontario Reign 4 – 3 Stockton Thunder Citizens Business Bank Arena
April 22 Ontario Reign 4 – 5 Stockton Thunder Citizens Business Bank Arena
Stockton wins series 4–3
(P2) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (P3) Bakersfield Condors
April 10 Las Vegas Wranglers 3 – 1 Bakersfield Condors Orleans Arena
April 11 Las Vegas Wranglers 2 – 3 Bakersfield Condors Orleans Arena
April 15 Bakersfield Condors 6 – 5 OT Las Vegas Wranglers Rabobank Arena
April 17 Bakersfield Condors 0 – 4 Las Vegas Wranglers Rabobank Arena
April 18 Bakersfield Condors 4 – 3 OT Las Vegas Wranglers Rabobank Arena
April 21 Las Vegas Wranglers 3 – 1 Bakersfield Condors Orleans Arena
April 22 Las Vegas Wranglers 5 – 1 Bakersfield Condors Orleans Arena
Las Vegas wins series 4–3
(W1) Alaska Aces vs. (W4) Utah Grizzlies
April 10 Alaska Aces 2 – 0 Utah Grizzlies Sullivan Arena
April 11 Alaska Aces 2 – 0 Utah Grizzlies Sullivan Arena
April 15 Utah Grizzlies 3 – 2 OT Alaska Aces E Center
April 17 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 5 Alaska Aces E Center
April 18 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 5 Alaska Aces E Center
Alaska wins series 4–1
(W2) Idaho Steelheads vs. (W3) Victoria Salmon Kings
April 11 Idaho Steelheads 1 – 3 Victoria Salmon Kings Qwest Arena
April 12 Idaho Steelheads 0 – 2 Victoria Salmon Kings Qwest Arena
April 15 Victoria Salmon Kings 9 – 2 Idaho Steelheads Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
April 17 Victoria Salmon Kings 2 – 1 OT Idaho Steelheads Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Victoria wins series 4–0

Division Finals
(N1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (N3) Elmira Jackas
April 24 Cincinnati Cyclones 8 – 3 Elmira Jackals US Bank Arena
April 25 Cincinnati Cyclones 5 – 4 OT Elmira Jackals US Bank Arena
April 29 Elmira Jackals 2 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones First Arena
May 1 Elmira Jackals 0 – 2 Cincinnati Cyclones First Arena
Cincinnati wins series 4–0
(S1) Florida Everblades vs. (S2) South Carolina Stingrays
April 24 Florida Everblades 1 – 2 OT South Carolina Stingrays Germain Arena
April 25 Florida Everblades 4 – 3 South Carolina Stingrays Germain Arena
May 1 South Carolina Stingrays 4 – 3 Florida Everblades North Charleston Coliseum
May 2 South Carolina Stingrays 2 – 3 2OT Florida Everblades North Charleston Coliseum
May 3 South Carolina Stingrays 4 – 3 Florida Everblades North Charleston Coliseum
May 5 Florida Everblades 3 – 4 OT South Carolina Stingrays Germain Arena
South Carolina wins series 4–2
(P2) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (P4) Stockton Thunder
April 24 Stockton Thunder 4 – 3 Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
April 27 Las Vegas Wranglers 4 – 2 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
April 30 Stockton Thunder 5 – 1 Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
May 2 Stockton Thunder 2 – 3 OT Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
May 4 Las Vegas Wranglers 4 – 2 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
May 5 Las Vegas Wranglers 1 – 3 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
May 6 Las Vegas Wranglers 5 – 1 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
Las Vegas wins series 4–3

NOTE: Arena conflicts led to the ECHL shifting the first games of the playoff series.

(W1) Alaska Aces vs. (W3) Victoria Salmon Kings
April 24 Alaska Aces 3 – 0 Victoria Salmon Kings Sullivan Arena
April 25 Alaska Aces 8 – 2 Victoria Salmon Kings Sullivan Arena
April 29 Victoria Salmon Kings 2 – 5 Alaska Aces Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
May 1 Victoria Salmon Kings 4 – 0 Alaska Aces Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
May 2 Victoria Salmon Kings 4 – 6 Alaska Aces Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Alaska wins series 4–1

Conference finals

(S2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (N1) Cincinnati Cyclones
May 9 South Carolina Stingrays 7 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones North Charleston Coliseum
May 11 South Carolina Stingrays 3 – 1 Cincinnati Cyclones North Charleston Coliseum
May 13 Cincinnati Cyclones 3 – 4 South Carolina Stingrays US Bank Arena
May 15 Cincinnati Cyclones 2 – 3 South Carolina Stingrays US Bank Arena
South Carolina wins series 4–0

(W1) Alaska Aces vs. (P2) Las Vegas Wranglers
May 9 Alaska Aces 2 – 0 Las Vegas Wranglers Sullivan Arena
May 10 Alaska Aces 4 – 1 Las Vegas Wranglers Sullivan Arena
May 12 Las Vegas Wranglers 1 – 3 Alaska Aces Orleans Arena
May 14 Las Vegas Wranglers 1 – 5 Alaska Aces Orleans Arena
Alaska wins series 4–0

Kelly Cup Finals

(W1) Alaska Aces vs. (S2) South Carolina Stingrays
May 22 Alaska Aces 2 – 4 South Carolina Stingrays Sullivan Arena
May 23 Alaska Aces 3 – 1 South Carolina Stingrays Sullivan Arena
May 27 South Carolina Stingrays 4 – 2 Alaska Aces North Charleston Coliseum
May 29 South Carolina Stingrays 5 – 0 Alaska Aces North Charleston Coliseum
May 30 South Carolina Stingrays 2 – 3 OT Alaska Aces North Charleston Coliseum
June 4 Alaska Aces 3 – 2 South Carolina Stingrays Sullivan Arena
June 5 Alaska Aces 2 – 4 South Carolina Stingrays Sullivan Arena
South Carolina wins Kelly Cup 4–3.

References
  1. Chakler, Rob (April 11, 2009). "T-Devils fall in longest game in ECHL history". The Trentonian. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  2. "Elmira Beats Trenton In Longest Game In ECHL History". ECHL. April 11, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  3. "ECHL Has Record Two Game 7s Wednesday". ECHL. April 22, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  4. "Top Scorers - 2009 Playoffs - All Players". ECHL. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  5. "Top Goalies - 2009 Playoffs - Goals Against Average". ECHL. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.

See also
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