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ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Rays Storm Back in Thrilling Game, Fall to Aces 5-4 in Overtime

January 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


NORTH CHARLESTON, SC-Trailing 3-0 after the opening period, the South Carolina Stingrays roared back to earn a point in the standings, but ultimately fell 5-4 to the Alaska Aces in overtime in front of 5,402 fans on Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. Alaska's Tommaso Traversa notched a hat trick and assisted on the game-winning goal to earn Alaska a point in the standings for a sixth straight game.

The high-scoring affair had the tone set just 12 seconds into the game when Tim Coffman silenced the crowd with a goal to give Alaska a 1-0 lead. His wrist shot beat Stingrays goaltender Vitek Vanecek over the catching glove.

Traversa would add a pair of goals at 7:08 and 11:37 to give Alaska a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Despite the score, the Stingrays held the play late in the period and outshot Alaska 14-8. They were also sparked by a fight from Trevor Gillies. The veteran dropped the gloves with Garet Hunt twice during the game, getting the Lowcountry fans to their feet.

The Stingrays were able to translate that pressure and momentum into three goals of their own in the second period. Jared Staal opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the frame, scoring his fifth goal of the season. Patrick Gaul stole the puck and slid a pass across to Staal on the right wing. He beat netminder Troy Reddman past the left pad to make it 3-1.

At 2:27, Jordan Ciccarello scored his first ECHL goal to make it 3-2 Aces. The newest Stingray skated down the right wing and threw a pass towards the goal from the goal line. It hit Reddman's stick and deflected past the goaltender.

The comeback continued when David Pacan tied the game on the power play at 14:19 of the second period. After Alaska missed the net on an odd-man rush, Brett Cameron charged up ice and chipped the puck to Pacan. He snapped a shot past Reddman's blocker to even the score. The goal was Pacan's 10th of the season.

The two teams traded goals in the third period. The Stingrays briefly held a lead thanks to Stephan Vigier's go-ahead goal at 9:06. Redmman was caught wandering from his goal and struggled to get back to the net. He made a desepration save on a Paul Rodrigues shot, but Vigier popped the water bottle off the net with a shot from the slot to make it 4-3 Stingrays.

Traversa would complete the hat trick just 1:10 later, scoring from the goal crease off a Ben Lake pass at 10:16 to even the score, and ultimately force overtime.

The Aces would score the winning goal at 2:55 of the extra session to earn the win. Felix-Antoine Poulin's one-timer from the right wing beat Vanecek over the glove. Travesa set up the goal with a beautiful pass from the corner.

The Stingrays are now 0-3-1-1 in overtime. They outshot the Aces 38-22 in the loss. The contest was the first in the regular season between the Aces and the Stingrays since 2004, and the first overall meeting between the teams since the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals when the Stingrays beat the Aces in seven games.

The two teams rematch tomorrow at 3:05 p.m. The game is Frozen Day, featuring the princesses and the snowman from the movie in attendance plus $5 Kids Tickets and $5 Kids Meals as part of the Crews Subaru and Charleston County Parks Family Days. Tickets information is available at StingraysHockey.com.

Tickets to both games this weekend are available via Ticketmaster online or at the North Charleston Coliseum Box Office.

Our biggest game of the year is almost here! The South Carolina Stingrays host South Carolina Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center Pack the House Night on Saturday, January 23. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. versus the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. All tickets for the game are JUST $5! The evening also features FREE parking. Fans may call 843-744-2248 to order tickets for this big night!

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