2007–08 ECHL season

2007–08 ECHL season
League ECHL
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 2007 – May 2008
Regular season
Season MVP Canada David Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Top scorer 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 Desjardins
Finals
Champions Cincinnati Cyclones
  Runners-up Las Vegas Wranglers

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 Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. 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 in time for the team to return 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, entered its ninth season with a new name. The team, now owned by the NHL New Jersey Devils, adopted the Devils nickname.[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 died in an automobile accident, while driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Snellville, Georgia in May 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.

League realignment

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

American Conference

North Division

South Division

National Conference

Pacific Division

West Division

Playoff format

The ECHL realigned the playoff format for the two conferences.

National Conference

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.

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

Kelly Cup finals

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

Regular season

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) 72551214115292178
Elmira Jackals (CBJ) 7241243489245219
Reading Royals (LA) 7238266283247233
Johnstown Chiefs (COL/BOS) 7236303378235234
Dayton Bombers (Independent) 7229316670201229
Trenton Devils (NJ) 7229363465183220
Wheeling Nailers (PIT/PHI) 7222433451186284
Southern Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Texas Wildcatters (MIN) 7252947115266177
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 7247222197256192
Gwinnett Gladiators (ATL) 7244232393247198
Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA) 7239254486230198
Columbia Inferno (TOR) 7233285677217227
Charlotte Checkers (NYR) 7234311675212229
Augusta Lynx (ANA) 7232351469200223
Mississippi Sea Wolves (TB) 7229401261204262
Pensacola Ice Pilots (CHI) 7219444547157263
National Conference
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY) (z) 72471357106244179
Fresno Falcons (Independent) 7242224492242216
Bakersfield Condors (Independent) 7226372761230280
Stockton Thunder (EDM) 7227403259200250
West Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Victoria Salmon Kings (VAN) 7242234391256239
Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 7240225590224183
Alaska Aces (STL) 7241264187245229
Utah Grizzlies (NYI) 7232302874239259
Phoenix RoadRunners (SJ) 7224395457208265

Final league standings[6]

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]

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]

Kelly Cup playoffs

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  

National Conference

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

Kelly Cup finals

2008 Kelly Cup Championship
   
No.1 Cincinnati 4
Na.1 Las Vegas 3

Playoff tables referenced from ECHL website[9]

First round

*if necessary
Times listed are local.

American Conference

(No. 4) Johnstown Chiefs vs. (No. 5) Dayton Bombers
Johnstown wins series 2 – 0
(So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 8) Mississippi Sea Wolves
Texas wins series 3 – 1
(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 7) Augusta Lynx
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2
(So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators vs. (So. 6) Charlotte Checkers
Gwinnett wins series 3 – 0
(So. 4) Florida Everblades vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
Columbia wins series 3 – 0

Conference quarterfinals

American Conference

(No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 4) Johnstown Chiefs
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 0
(No. 2) Elmira Jackals vs. (No.3) Reading Royals
Reading wins series 4 – 2
(So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
Columbia wins series 3 – 2
(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2

National Conference

(1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (8) Stockton Thunder
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 2
(2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (7) Bakersfield Condors
Victoria wins series 4 – 2
(3) Fresno Falcons vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
Utah wins series 4 – 2
(4) Idaho Steelheads vs. (5) Alaska Aces
Alaska wins series 4 – 0

Conference semifinals

American Conference

(No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 3) Reading Royals
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 3
(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2

National Conference

(1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (5) Alaska Aces
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 1
(2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
Utah wins series 4 – 1

Conference finals

American Conference

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

National Conference

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

2008 Kelly Cup finals

(No.1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (Na.1) Las Vegas Wranglers

Cincinnati wins series 4 – 2

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]

References

  1. ↑ "ECHL Concludes Midseason Board of Governors Meeting". ECHL. January 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Board Approves Expansion Membership For Elmira". ECHL. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on February 1, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  3. ↑ Kimelman, Adam (May 18, 2007). "Trenton Titans become Trenton Devils". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  4. ↑ "ECHL Announces Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award". ECHL. October 2, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  5. ↑ "ECHL Mourns Loss Of Linesman Ryan Birmingham". ECHL. May 15, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Stats". ECHL. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  7. ↑ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders". ECHL. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  8. ↑ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders". ECHL. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  9. ↑ "ECHL 2008 Playoff Bracket" (PDF). Archived from the original on 12 April 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  10. ↑ "Cincinnati's Weber Receives John Brophy Award". ECHL. April 8, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Cincinnati's Desharnais is CCM Vector Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 11, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Texas Rookie Khudobin Named Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year". ECHL. April 10, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Cincinnati's Desharnais Named CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year". ECHL. April 6, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Alaska's Metcalf Named ECHL Defenseman of the Year". ECHL. April 9, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Cincinnati's Starling Is Rbk Hockey Plus Performer". ECHL. April 7, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Gwinnett's Campbell Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award". ECHL. April 5, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Jones Wins Inaugural Birmingham Memorial Award". ECHL. May 30, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.

See also

Preceded by
2007 Kelly Cup playoffs		 Kelly Cup Playoffs
2008 		Succeeded by
2009 Kelly Cup playoffs