The South Carolina Stingrays were on the outside of the playoffs looking in with six games left in the regular season. One month later, they clinched a spot in the Kelly Cup Final following a 2-1 win over their in-state rival Greenville Swamp Rabbits with a 3-1 series win.
The two Palmetto State rivals played a scoreless first 20 minutes with the Swamp Rabbits in control of the game. Rookie goalie Hunter Shepard was once again a rock for the Rays giving his team to find their footing. He saved a penalty shot early in the second, which was just one of nine early shots for the visitors in the middle frame.