2007–08 ECHL season

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2007–08 ECHL season
League ECHL
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October, 2007–May, 2008
Regular season
Season MVP Flag of Canada David Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Top scorer Flag of Canada David Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Playoffs
American champions Cincinnati Cyclones
  American runners-up South Carolina Stingrays
National champions Las Vegas Wranglers
  National runners-up Utah Grizzlies
Playoffs MVP Cedrick Deshardains
Finals
Finals champions Cincinnati Cyclones
  Runners-up Las Vegas Wranglers

ECHL seasons

< 2006-07

2008-09 >

The 2007-08 ECHL Season was the 20th season of the ECHL.

Two teams suspended operations at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Toledo Storm. Toledo's suspension was granted after the International League baseball franchise Toledo Mud Hens acquired the Storm and requested a suspension of the team for two years in order to allow a new arena to be built in downtown Toledo to open in 2009, when the team returns to play.

The league officially welcomed back the Mississippi Sea Wolves, who had to suspend operations for two seasons (2005-07) because of damage to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum caused by Hurricane Katrina.[1] The Elmira Jackals also joined the ECHL after being in the United Hockey League for their previous existence.[2] Another established team, the Trenton, New Jersey franchise, will enter its ninth season with a new name. The team, now owned by the NHL New Jersey Devils, will adopt the Devils nickname, which is now standard across the team's farm system.[3]

Before the start of the season, the league announced that it would hand out a new award to honor on-ice referees for their dedication and contribution to the league, through the Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award. The award is given in honor of Ryan Birmingham a former ECHL referee who tragically died in an automobile accident, while driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Snellville, Georgia in May of 2007. Birmingham died at the age of 24.[4][5]

The Cincinnati Cyclones finished first overall in the regular season winning the Brabham Cup, and became the third team in ECHL history to win the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup in the same year by defeating the Las Vegas Wranglers four games to two.

Contents

[edit] League Realignment

The ECHL announced the alignment of the 25 teams of the ECHL.

[edit] American Conference

[edit] North Division

[edit] South Division

[edit] National Conference

[edit] Pacific Division

[edit] West Division

[edit] Playoff Format

The ECHL realigned the playoff format for the two conferences.

[edit] National Confernece

The top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, with the two division champions being the first and second seeds. The other six teams will be seeded by points. Teams will not be re-seeded. All games are best of seven games.

[edit] American Conference

In the North Division, the top five teams will advance to the playoffs, with the division champion being the first seed. The other teams will be seeded by points. The fourth seed and the fifth seed will play a best-of-three series in the Division Quarterfinals. The winner will advance to the best-of-seven Division Semifinals to meet the division leader. The second seed and the third seed will play a best-of-seven Division Semifinals. The winners will advance to the best-of-seven Division Finals. The winner will advance to the American Conference Finals.

In the South Division,the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, with the division champion being the first seed. The other teams will be seeded by points. Teams will be re-seeded according to the same criteria with division leader seeded first and remaining teams seeded in order of regular-season points. All games are best of five games. The winner of the Division Finals will advance to the American Conference Finals.

In the best-of-seven American Conference Finals the North Division Winner will face the South Division Winner

[edit] Kelly Cup Finals

The Kelly Cup Finals will be a best-of-seven series between the two conference champions.

[edit] Regular Season

[edit] Final Standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Loses; OTL = Overtime loses; SOL = Shootout loses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; Green shade = Clinched Playoff Spot; Blue shade = Clinched Division; (z) = Clinched Home-Ice Advantage

American Conference
Northern Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Cincinnati Cyclones (MTL/NSH) (z) 72 55 12 1 4 115 292 178
Elmira Jackals (CBJ) 72 41 24 3 4 89 245 219
Reading Royals (LA) 72 38 26 6 2 83 247 233
Johnstown Chiefs (COL/BOS) 72 36 30 3 3 78 235 234
Dayton Bombers (Independent) 72 29 31 6 6 70 201 229
Trenton Devils (NJ) 72 29 36 3 4 65 183 220
Wheeling Nailers (PIT/PHI) 72 22 43 3 4 51 186 284
Southern Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Texas Wildcatters (MIN) 72 52 9 4 7 115 266 177
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 72 47 22 2 1 97 256 192
Gwinnett Gladiators (ATL) 72 44 23 2 3 93 247 198
Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA) 72 39 25 4 4 86 230 198
Columbia Inferno (TOR) 72 33 28 5 6 77 217 227
Charlotte Checkers (NYR) 72 34 31 1 6 75 212 229
Augusta Lynx (ANA) 72 32 35 1 4 69 200 223
Mississippi Sea Wolves (TB) 72 29 40 1 2 61 204 262
Pensacola Ice Pilots (CHI) 72 19 44 4 5 47 157 263
National Conference
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY) (z) 72 47 13 5 7 106 244 179
Fresno Falcons (Independent) 72 42 22 4 4 92 242 216
Bakersfield Condors (Independent) 72 26 37 2 7 61 230 280
Stockton Thunder (EDM) 72 27 40 3 2 59 200 250
West Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Victoria Salmon Kings (VAN) 72 42 23 4 3 91 256 239
Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 40 22 5 5 90 224 183
Alaska Aces (STL) 72 41 26 4 1 87 245 229
Utah Grizzlies (NYI) 72 32 30 2 8 74 239 259
Phoenix RoadRunners (SJ) 72 24 39 5 4 57 208 265

Final league standings[6]

[edit] Scoring Leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
David Desharnais Cincinnati Cyclones 68 29 77 106 18
Jeff Campbell Gwinnett Gladiators 65 26 65 91 42
Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays 68 34 50 84 30
Ash Goldie Victoria Salmon Kings 70 40 43 83 24
Benoit Doucet Elmira Jackals 71 31 52 83 96
John McNabb Texas Wildcatters 71 32 50 82 87
Josh Soares Alaska Aces 61 36 45 81 85
Pierre-Luc Faubert Elmira Jackals 72 31 45 76 76
Jeff Miles Columbia Inferno 68 29 47 76 48
Derek Damon Florida Everblades 51 25 50 75 76

Data referenced from ECHL website[7]

[edit] Leading Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime Losses; SOL = Shootout Losses GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player Team GP TOI W L OTL SOL GA SO Sv% GAA
Anton Khudobin Texas Wildcatters 27 1549 20 1 1 3 51 3 .934 1.98
Kevin Lalande Las Vegas Wranglers 27 1607 17 5 1 3 55 3 .932 2.05
Davis Parley South Carolina Stingrays 35 2090 24 9 2 0 80 4 .924 2.30
Craig Kowalski Gwinnett Gladiators 44 2574 29 11 0 2 100 2 .923 2.33
Kellen Briggs Idaho Steelheads 31 1802 17 11 0 2 71 3 .920 2.36

Data referenced from ECHL website[8]

[edit] Kelly Cup Playoffs

[edit] American Conference

  American Conference
1st Round		 American Conference
Quarterfinals		 American Conference
Semifinals		 American Conference
Finals
                                     
No.4  Johnstown 2  
No.5  Dayton 0  
  No.1  Cincinnati 4  
    No.4  Johnstown 0  
      
        
  No.1  Cincinnati 4  
North Division
  No.3  Reading 3  
        
        
  No.2  Elmira 2
    No.3  Reading 4  
      
        
  No.1  Cincinnati 4
  So.2  South Carolina 1
So.1  Texas 3  
So.8  Mississippi 1  
  So.1  Texas 2
    So.5  Columbia 3  
So.4  Florida 0
So.5  Columbia 3  
  So.5  Columbia 2
South Division
  So.2  South Carolina 3  
So.3  Gwinnett 3  
So.6  Charlotte 0  
  So.3  Gwinnett 2
    So.2  South Carolina 3  
So.2  South Carolina 3
So.7  Augusta 2  

[edit] National Conference

  National Conference
Quarterfinals		 National Conference
Semifinals		 National Conference
Conference Finals
                           
  1  Las Vegas 4  
8  Stockton 2  
  1  Las Vegas 4  
  5  Alaska 1  
4  Idaho 0
  5  Alaska 4  
    1  Las Vegas 4
  6  Utah 0
  3  Fresno 2  
6  Utah 4  
  6  Utah 4
  2  Victoria 1  
2  Victoria 4
  7  Bakersfield 2  

[edit] Kelly Cup Finals

  2008 Kelly Cup Championship
       
No.1  Cincinnati 4
Na.1  Las Vegas 2
  • No. is short for North Division
  • So. is short for South Division
  • Na. is short for National Conference

Playoff tables referenced from ECHL website[9]

[edit] 1st Round

*if necessary
Times listed are local.

[edit] American Conference 1st Round

[edit] (No. 4) Johnstown Chiefs vs. (No. 5) Dayton Bombers
Johnstown wins series 2 – 0


[edit] (So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 8) Mississippi Sea Wolves
Texas wins series 3 – 1


[edit] (So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 7) Augusta Lynx
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


[edit] (So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators vs. (So. 6) Charlotte Checkers
Gwinnett wins series 3 – 0

[edit] (So. 4) Florida Everblades vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
Columbia wins series 3 – 0


[edit] Conference Quarterfinals

[edit] American Conference

[edit] (No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 4) Johnstown Cheifs
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 0

[edit] (No. 2) Elmira Jackals vs. (No.3) Reading Royals
Reading wins series 4 – 2


[edit] (So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
Columbia wins series 3 – 2


[edit] (So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


[edit] National Conference

[edit] (1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (8) Stockton Thunder
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 2


[edit] (2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (7) Bakersfield Condors
Victoria wins series 4 – 2


[edit] (3) Fresno Falcons vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
Utah wins series 4 – 2


[edit] (4) Idaho Steelheads vs. (5) Alaska Aces
Alaska wins series 4 – 0


[edit] Conference Semifinals

[edit] American Conference

[edit] (No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 3) Reading Royals
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 3


[edit] (So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


[edit] National Conference

[edit] (1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (5) Alaska Aces
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 1


[edit] (2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
Utah wins series 4 – 1


[edit] Conference Finals

[edit] American Conference

[edit] (No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 1


[edit] National Conference

[edit] (1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 0


[edit] 2008 Kelly Cup Finals

[edit] (No.1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (Na.1) Las Vegas Wranglers
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 2


[edit] ECHL Awards

See also: ECHL awards
Patrick Kelly Cup: Cincinnati Cyclones
Henry Brabham Cup: Cincinnati Cyclones
Gingher Memorial Trophy: Cincinnati Cyclones
Bruce Taylor Trophy: Las Vegas Wranglers
John Brophy Award: Chuck Weber (Cincinnati)[10]
CCM Vector Most Valuable Player: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)[11]
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Cedrick Deshardains
Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Anton Khudobin (Texas)[12]
CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)[13]
Defenseman of the Year: Peter Metcalf (Alaska)[14]
Leading Scorer: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Reebok Hockey Plus Performer Award: Chad Starling (Cincinnati)[15]
Sportsmanship Award: Jeff Campbell (Gwinnett)[16]
Birmingham Memorial Award: David Jones[17]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ECHL Concludes Midseason Board of Governors Meeting. ECHL (January 22, 2007).
  2. ^ Borad Approves Expansion Membership For Elmira. ECHL (April 13, 2007).
  3. ^ Kimelman, Adam (May 18, 2007). Trenton Titans become Trenton Devils. The Times of Trenton.
  4. ^ ECHL Announces Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award. ECHL (October 2, 2007).
  5. ^ ECHL Mourns Loss Of Linesman Ryan Birmingham. ECHL (May 15, 2007).
  6. ^ ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Stats. ECHL.
  7. ^ ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders. ECHL.
  8. ^ ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders. ECHL.
  9. ^ ECHL 2008 Playoff Bracket (pdf).
  10. ^ Cincinnati's Weber Receives John Brophy Award. ECHL (April 08, 2008).
  11. ^ Cincinnati's Desharnais is CCM Vector Most Valuable Player. ECHL (April 11, 2008).
  12. ^ Texas Rookie Khudobin Named Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year. ECHL (April 10, 2008).
  13. ^ Cincinnati's Desharnais Named CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year. ECHL (April 06, 2008).
  14. ^ Alaska's Metcalf Named ECHL Defenseman of the Year. ECHL (April 09, 2008).
  15. ^ Cincinnati's Starling Is Rbk Hockey Plus Performer. ECHL (April 07, 2008).
  16. ^ Gwinnett's Campbell Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award. ECHL (April 05, 2008).
  17. ^ Jones Wins Inaugural Birmingham Memorial Award. ECHL (May 30, 2008).

[edit] See also

v • d • e
ECHL seasons
1999-2000 · 2000-01 · 2001-02 · 2002-03 · 2003-04 · 2004-05 · 2005-06 · 2006-07 · 2007-08 · 2008-09
v • d • e
ECHL (2008-09)
American Conference North Cincinnati Cyclones · Dayton Bombers · Elmira Jackals · Johnstown Chiefs · Reading Royals · Trenton Devils · Wheeling Nailers
South Augusta Lynx · Charlotte Checkers · Columbia Inferno · Florida Everblades · Gwinnett Gladiators · Mississippi Sea Wolves · Pensacola Ice Pilots · South Carolina Stingrays
National
Conference		 Pacific Bakersfield Condors · Fresno Falcons · Las Vegas Wranglers · Ontario Reign · Stockton Thunder
West Alaska Aces · Idaho Steelheads · Phoenix Roadrunners · Utah Grizzlies · Victoria Salmon Kings
Future teams Myrtle Beach, SC · Toledo Walleye
Related articles: List of ECHL seasons  · Kelly Cup  · Brabham Cup  · All-Star Game  · Awards  · Timeline  · Defunct teams  · Hall of Fame  · Arenas  · Other Professional Hockey leagues