ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Gacek Sinks Swamp Rabbits with Third Period Strike

December 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C. - For the second straight day the South Carolina Stingrays (10-8-1-0) got a late goal to break a tie game and held on to defeat the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (9-7-2-0) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Sunday it was forward Alex Gacek who played hero, scoring his sixth goal of the season with just 1:01 left to play.

Stingrays' goaltender Parker Milner made 25 saves to earn his seventh win of the year, while rookie forward Dylan Margonari scored his second goal of the season in the second period.

The teams played a scoreless first period, with South Carolina holding a 13-7 edge in shots on goal.

Margonari's strike gave the Stingrays a 1-0 lead at 6:26 of the middle frame, when he beat Swamp Rabbits' goalie Jeff Malcolm with a wrist shot under the glove from just inside the opposing blueline. Forward John Parker got the puck to the rookie and was credited with the first assist, while Scott Tanski picked up the second helper on the tally.

Greenville evened the game just four minutes later at 10:44 of the second on defenseman Spiro Goulakos' third goal of the season, which came on the power play.

The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until Gacek got the game winner with a quick shot that got past Malcolm. The forward's sixth strike of the season came from forwards Patrick Gaul and Steven McParland. McParland had a hard-working effort to gain control of the puck in the Greenville end before leaving it for Gaul, who pushed a centering pass to Gacek. Gaul's assist was his 11th of the year, while McParland earned his ninth helper of the season.

South Carolina is now 5-0-0-0 in Sunday afternoon games, winning in the afternoon in five straight weeks dating back to Nov. 6. The Stingrays are also now 8-0-0-0 in games that were tied at the start of the third period.

Malcolm made 27 saves for the Swamp Rabbits in a losing effort. South Carolina was 0-for-3 on the power play, while Greenville finished 1-for-4 with the man-advantage.

South Carolina returns to the North Charleston Coliseum Dec. 9 when they also battle Greenville at 7:05 p.m.

2016-17 Season Ticket Packages are on sale now featuring discounted pricing and great benefits! The club's new 5 Game Plan features tickets to all the biggest games plus added benefits! For more information, fans may call the Stingrays' offices at 843-744-2248 or visit StingraysHockey.com.

3300 W. Montague Ave., Suite A-200

North Charleston, SC 29418

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