ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Down Thunder 6-0 to Even Series at Two

May 5, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


GLENS FALLS, NY - The South Carolina Stingrays (6-3) set the tone early and rolled to a 6-0 victory over the Adirondack Thunder (6-3) in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Stingrays scored early and often in a dominating victory that evened the best-of-seven series, 2-2. Mark Dekanich earned his second shutout of the series with 30 saves, Joe Devin had two goals, and South Carolina's penalty kill was a perfect 10-for-10 in the win. The Stingrays' victory also guaranteed the series will return to South Carolina following Game 5 on Saturday evening in Glens Falls.

For the second straight game, forward Caleb Herbert opened the scoring for the Stingrays. Just one minute into the game, Herbert accepted an Austin Fyten pass and cut to the front of the goal. He beat netminder Ken Appleby through the five-hole to make it 1-0.

The Stingrays would double the lead on the power play on Kelly Zajac's second goal of the postseason. The forward snapped a shot from the right wing that beat Appleby over the blocker at 14:41 to make it 2-0.

In the second period, the Stingrays would score three more times to chase Appleby from the game. Devin opened the scoring shorthanded, racing in on a breakaway after an Adirondack defender fell down. Devin beat Appleby with shot low on the blocker-side to make it 3-0 at 1:21 of the period. The goal was his sixth of the postseason.

The Stingrays power play finished the night an impressive 3-for-4 and added to the lead in the middle frame. On his 24th birthday, rookie Colton Saucerman scored his first professional playoff goal, beating Appleby with a one-time slap shot from the left point to make it 4-0 at 12:35. At 17:30, the power play struck again. Stephan Vigier scored his second goal of the playoffs, striking on a rebound off a Zajac shot to give the Stingrays a 5-0 lead.

Appleby was replaced by Drew Fielding to start the third period after surrendering five goals on 17 shots through 40 minutes. Devin would beat Fielding only 2:18 into the third period for his second goal of the game to give the Stingrays a 6-0 lead. Devin accepted a Nick D'Agostino pass and raced in on an odd-man rush. He elected to keep the puck himself and snapped a shot over Fielding's catching glove to give South Carolina half-a-dozen goals.

The physical contest saw 106 penalty minutes handed out, including 55 to the Stingrays. In the game, South Carolina killed three 5-on-3 advantages for the Thunder, including a full two minute 5-on-3 in the third period. A large part of that success was due to the play of Dekanich who improved to 4-3 in the postseason. South Carolina's netminder was sharp, and earned his second shutout of the postseason.

Adirondack outshot the Stingrays 30-22 in the game.

The series continues on Saturday with Game 5 at the Glens Falls Civic Center at 7 p.m Fans are invited to the Watch Party at King Street Grille-Northwoods. With the series tied 2-2, it is now guaranteed that the series will return to the North Charleston Coliseum next week. Game 6 will be Tuesday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets to this game go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum Box Office or via Ticketmaster online. If necessary, Game 7 is Wednesday, May 11 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum.

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ECHL Stories from May 5, 2016


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