Stingrays' Comeback Falls Short in Game 5
May 22, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays (11-6) scored three goals in the second period to pull the contest within one, but could not grab the game-tying tally in the final frame, falling to the Toledo Walleye (9-8) 5-4 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the North Charleston Coliseum Friday evening. Stingrays forward Wayne Simpson extended his personal point streak to seven games, grabbing three assists in the loss. The Stingrays lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
The Stingrays opened the games scoring, but the Walleye fought back to take a 4-1 lead into the intermission. Stingrays team captain Andrew Rowe buried his eighth goal of the postseason on the power play at 5:21 lifting a rebound over Walleye netminder Neil Conway (W, 26 saves on 30 shots) from defenseman Drew MacKenzie and Simpson. Toledo bounced back seconds later as forward Troy Schwab redirected a shot from the right point past Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (8 saves on 12 shots) at 5:49. The Walleye continued light the lamp with makers from forward Justin Mercier (8:17), Schwab (10:48) and Kyle Rodgers (12:38), chasing Jakaitis in favor of Clay Witt (L, 18 saves on 19 shots).
South Carolina roared back in the second period, finding the twine three times and trailed the Walleye 5-4 through 40 minutes of action. Forward Derek DeBlois started the comeback at 7:13 batting the puck past Conway with help from defenseman Scott Ford and Simpson. The Walleye reclaimed a three-goal advantage 2:08 later as forward Tyler Barnes deflected a pass over the glove of Witt. Rowe swung the momentum back around with his second goal of the game at 16:04 from Simpson. Seconds later, defenseman Michal Cajkovsky pulled the contest within one with a man-advantage marker off a drive from the right point at 16:32 from MacKenzie and Rowe.
In the third period, the Stingrays continued to pressure and earned numerous scoring chances before the Walleye registered a shot on goal. Conway denied all seven Stingrays attempts and a power play to extend the Walleye's season. The Stingrays finished the contest 2-for-5 on the power play while the Walleye went 0-for-3.
The Stingrays and Walleye meet in Game 5 tomorrow, Saturday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. Individual game tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 at StingraysHockey.com, by calling the North Charleston Coliseum Box Office at (843) 202-2787 and all Ticketmaster outlets including Ticketmaster.com.
Do not miss a second of the action! 2015-16 Stingrays Ticket Plans are on sale NOW! Save money off of box receive office prices and great benefits like FREE parking, Buddy Passes, discounts off of merchandise, advanced ticket purchases to North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center events and more!
ECHL Stories from May 22, 2015
- Stingrays' Comeback Falls Short in Game 5 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Hot Start Keeps Walleye Alive in a 5-4 Win - Toledo Walleye
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- Chad Costello Named PHPA, ECHL MVP - Allen Americans
- ECHL Today - May 22 - ECHL
- Stingrays' Run to the Kelly Cup to be Broadcasted on Caps Radio 24/7 - South Carolina Stingrays
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- Reign Top Americans for 4-1 Win in Game 3 - Ontario Reign
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