ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Inferno Down Stingrays 5-2

Published on December 30, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia Inferno erupted for four goals in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays at the Carolina Coliseum.

"It was a rough opening 20 minutes," South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. "We tried to bounce back but dug a hole that was too deep. It didn't help that we only had 14 skaters and that was a factor, but we'll look to bounce back at home against Pensacola tomorrow."

Columbia (10-15-4, 24 points) struck just 54 seconds into the game. Mike Vellinga netted his first goal of the season beating goaltender Davis Parley from Anthony Battaglia and Mac Faulkner.

Inferno made it 2-0 at 10:19 as Scott Sheppard, who was making his debut for Columbia after being acquired in a trade with Trenton earlier in the week, buried his fifth tally of the campaign assisted by Owen Fussey and Brad Ralph.

Jeff Miles registered his 10th marker of the year at 13:20 to give Columbia a 4-0 advantage. Faulkner and Robert Gherson collected helpers.

Mike Jarmuth, who was chosen as a starter for the American Conference at the Rbk Hockey 2007 ECHL All-Star Game, scored his eighth goal of the season at the 16:06 mark. Assists were awarded to Bryson Busiuk and Chris Thompson.

South Carolina (15-13-2, 32 points) hit stride in the second period on the penalty kill. Brendan Bernakevitch recorded a shorthand goal, his third marker in the last two games and eighth of the season getting the puck past netminder Robert Gherson at 4:36. Ryan Bennett and Scott Romfo garnered helpers.

Cam McCaffrey cut the margin in half, by notching his sixth goal of the year from Bernakevitch and Romfo at 19:03 of the middle stanza.

Columbia took a 4-2 lead into the third and Faulkner converted on an odd-man rush to score his team-leading 12th goal of the season and complete the scoring at 12:35 from Battaglia.

Both teams were 0-for-5 on the power play, while shots were tied 26-26.

Additional Notes: Prior to the game it was announced that goaltender Daren Machesney, who started the season with the Stingrays, was recalled from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...Defenseman Jamie Fraser was loaned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL...Defenseman Tim Judy was signed by South Carolina.

South Carolina's next home game is at a special 6 p.m. start time Sunday against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. It's the New Year's Eve game presented by Piggly Wiggly, which features free parking and special tuxedo jerseys to be worn by the Stingrays and auctioned following the game.

For live play-by-play action join Mike Kelly, "Voice of the Stingrays" on Real 1340 and online at www.stingrayshockey.com beginning at 5:45 p.m. with the Benito's Pregame Show. Watch the game live on the web telecast for $6 each at www.stingrayshockey.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Don't miss the fast-paced, action-packed, family affordable fun! Purchase your flex package today. You pick the games; you pocket the savings! Call 744-2248 to talk to a ticket sales manager for more information.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the North Charleston Coliseum box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 554-6060 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Discounted groups tickets, birthday packages, Kids Club information and fundraiser opportunities are available by calling 744-2248 or by visiting online at www.stingrayshockey.com. Stingrays Hockey - A Whole Lot Cooler!

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 30, 2006


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