San Jose Sharks: ECHL Affiliate Claims Title
Mar 14, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
There was no playoff hockey for the San Jose Sharks this season, but one of their development affiliates brought home a championship on Sunday night.
The Allen Americans of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) defeated the South Carolina Stingrays 6-1 in Game 7 to claim the Kelly Cup.
Congratulations to the 2015 @ECHL Kelly Cup Champion @AllenAmericans! pic.twitter.com/edbjWoXp3t
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 15, 2015
Allen was led by the ECHL’s leading scorer Chad Costello who scored two goals and added an assist in the deciding game. Costello led the ECHL with 41 goals and 84 assists during the regular season, while adding nine goals and 19 assists during the Americans’ championship run.
Also, left wing Vincent Areseneau chipped in a pair of goals as well as the Americans blew out the Stingrays. Riley Gill registered the win in nets for Allen, stopping 23 of 24 shots from South Carolina.
Left-wing Greger Hanson was named the Most Valuable Player of the entire Kelly Cup Playoffs after leading the Americans with 12 goals and 17 assists.
This was the third consecutive title for the Allen Americans franchise, but their first ever Kelly Cup. The Americans had been members of the Central Hockey League (CHL) championship where they had won back-to-back titles before the ECHL absorbed the CHL at the beginning of the season.
Well, looks like the Americans can claim ECHL domination after a resounding Game 7 victory.