ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Clinch Playoff Spot in OT Loss to Road Warriors

March 27, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, SC -The South Carolina Stingrays (35-28-3-3) clinched a berth in the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs Sunday afternoon grabbing a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Greenville Road Warriors (43-22-3-1) in front of 6,107 on Fan Appreciation Day at the North Charleston Coliseum. Forward Rob Ricci netted two goals and an assist in the loss.

After a scoreless first period, Ricci lit the lamp at 7:43 of the second frame lifting a shot over Road Warriors goaltender Nic Riopel from the top of the right-wing circle. Forwards Tommy Goebel and Ryan Del Monte earned assists. The Road Warriors tied the contest at 18:47 when forward Jimmy Kilpatrick fired a shot under the glove of Stingrays netminder Todd Ford. Forward Justin Bowers and defenseman Wes Cunningham recorded helpers.

Forward Marc-Olivier Vallerand made it 2-1 Road Warriors on the power play at 1:02 of the final period from Kilpatrick and Bowers. Center Brendan Connolly gave the Road Warriors a two-goal lead on the man advantage from Cunningham and forward Shane Harper at 13:11.

The Stingrays responded at 16:41 with Del Monte's first goal as a Stingray and third of the season from defenseman Derek Keller and Ricci. Ricci knotted the contest back up with 45 seconds left in regulation slipping a backhanded attempt past the glove of Riopel. Forward Pierre-Luc O'Brien and Keller registered assists.

Midway through overtime, Vallerand buried the game-winning tally and his second of the night from forward Brandon Wong and defenseman Grant Farrell.

Ford dropped to 1-3-1-1 against the Road Warriors stopping 37 of 41 shots. Riopel improved to 22-12-2-0 on the season blocking 28 of 31 Stingrays opportunities. The Stingrays ended the night 0-for-4 on the power play while the Road Warriors went 2-for-5.

The Stingrays wrap up the regular season with a three-game road series against the Florida Everblades starting Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. Visit www.stingrayshockey.com for the latest news, game notes and radio schedule. Become a fan of the Stingrays on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCStingraysHockey .

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