South Carolina wins the Kelly Cup

The Washington Capitals ECHL (AA) affiliate the South Carolina Stingrays won the Kelly Cup last night in Anchorage, beating the Alaska Aces in seven games.

Anchorage, Alaska — The third time, indeed, was the charm for the South Carolina Stingrays and head coach Jared Bednar.

James Reimer stopped 26 shots and Pierre-Luc O’Brien had a goal and added an assist to lead South Carolina past Alaska, 4-2, in Game 7 of the Kelly Cup finals Friday night before a standing-room-only crowd of 6,610 at Sullivan Arena.

The Stingrays, who won league titles in 1997 and 2001, captured their ECHL record third Kelly Cup title with the victory beating the Aces, 4-3, in the best-of-seven series. Only Hampton Roads has as many ECHL championships as the Stingrays.

Bednar becomes the first person with his name on the Kelly Cup three times.

This was the Stingrays' third attempt in less than a week to eliminate the Aces and win the franchise’s third Kelly Cup. Leading the series, 3-1, after a blowout victory in Game 4 a week ago, the Stingrays lost Game 5 in overtime, 3-2, and Game 6, also, 3-2, Thursday night.

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Congratulations to the Stingrays. The Capitals AHL (AAA) affiliate the Hershey Bears play game 3 of the Calder Cup finals tonight at home against the Manitoba Moose. That series is tied at one game a piece.