South Carolina Edges Jacksonville, 3-2, in Overtime
Published on February 28, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
Jacksonville Icemen's Holden Wale and Michael Bullion and South Carolina Stingrays' Josh Wilkins on the ice
(South Carolina Stingrays)
JACKSONVILLE, F.L. - While shorthanded in overtime, South Carolina goaltender Seth Eisele denied two point-blank chances from Jacksonville, keeping the Stingrays alive. Minutes later, the offense rewarded its netminder as Josh Wilkins buried the game-winner, lifting the South Carolina Stingrays to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Icemen on Saturday night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Jacksonville (19-25-6-1) opened the scoring early in the first period when Craig Martin gave the Icemen a 1-0 lead less than five minutes in. South Carolina (34-18-1-0) responded nearly ten minutes later, settling into the game and finding the equalizer.
Jordan Klimek, playing in his 200th career ECHL game, snapped a shot from the point past Jacksonville netminder Michael Bullion, tying the game at one with 5:52 left in the opening frame.
In the second period, both sides generated chances on the power play, but South Carolina carried momentum from its opportunity to take the lead. Just nine seconds after the advantage expired, Zac Funk cleaned up a loose puck in the slot to give the Stingrays their first lead of the night, 2-1.
Jacksonville responded less than a minute later, as Ryan Pitoscia tied the game with 6:41 remaining in the second period.
Over the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Stingrays were forced to kill off multiple penalties, including four consecutive minutes midway through the period. The penalty kill stood tall to keep the game tied at two, sending South Carolina to overtime for the second straight Saturday.
The penalty kill was called upon again in the extra frame when Charlie Combs was called for hooking, and the Icemen pushed for the winner. Late in the kill, Jacksonville generated two prime chances to end it, but Stingrays goaltender Seth Eisele turned them both aside to extend the game.
Less than a minute after the penalty kill expired, Josh Wilkins forced a turnover in the offensive zone and blasted home the game-winner, lifting the Stingrays past the Icemen, 3-2.
The victory marked the Stingrays' seventh overtime win of the season. Eisele earned his 16th win of the year and has now won seven of his last eight appearances.
Images from this story
 Jacksonville Icemen's Holden Wale and Michael Bullion and South Carolina Stingrays' Josh Wilkins on the ice |
ECHL Stories from February 28, 2026
- Big Crowd of 6723 on Grizzlies Fight Cancer Weekend at Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Three Third Period Goals Sink Gargoyles in 4-2 Loss - Greensboro Gargoyles
- Knight Monsters Close Rivalry against Grizzlies with 4-1 Road Victory - Tahoe Knight Monsters
- Steelheads Down Thunder, 4-1, for Saturday Win - Idaho Steelheads
- Cincinnati 3-Ways Take Down K-Wings, 4-2, on Saturday Night - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Andrei Bakanov's Hat Trick Powers Oilers Comeback Win over Rush - Tulsa Oilers
- Tulsa Rallies to Shock Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Mastrodonato's Two-Goal Night Splits Weekend with Overtime Win - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Blades Score Six in 40 to Sweep Orlando - Florida Everblades
- South Carolina Edges Jacksonville, 3-2, in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Ollas Perfect in Relief, Bison Blanked by Walleye - Bloomington Bison
- Nolan Lalonde Records First Pro Shutout in 5-0 Walleye Win - Toledo Walleye
- Gladiators Fall 3-1 in Savannah - Atlanta Gladiators
- Komets Nail Down Home Win - Fort Wayne Komets
- Komets Spoil Wheeling's Comeback Hopes - Wheeling Nailers
- K-Wings Dropped by Cyclones Saturday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Three Third-Period Goals Lift the Admirals Past Greensboro, Snap Losing Skid - Norfolk Admirals
- Dunlap Scores Two Power-Play Goals in Lions' Win - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Rousseau Shuts Down Fuel for 2-0 Heartlanders Win - Iowa Heartlanders
- Fuel Sell out Blackhawks Night, Fall to Heartlanders - Indy Fuel
- Ghost Pirates Rally Past Gladiators 3-1 at Home - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Thunder Stumble against Lions, 4-3 - Adirondack Thunder
- Monkey Wrenches Fall 2-1 to Mariners in Saturday Night Tilt - Worcester Railers HC
- Mariners Win Streak Reaches Seven in Worcester - Maine Mariners
- ECHL Transactions - February 28 - ECHL
- ECHL Announces Fine - ECHL
- Rush Game Notes: February 28, 2026 at Tulsa Oilers - Rapid City Rush
- Blades Look to Extend Winning Streak to Five - Florida Everblades
- Americans Look to Win the Series Tonight in KC - Allen Americans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
