
Stingrays Earn Point, Drop Game in Overtime
December 31, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
ORLANDO, FL - Three unanswered goals lifted the Orlando Solar Bears (15-12-1-0) over the South Carolina Stingrays (9-14-3-0) in a 5-4 overtime victory on New Years Eve. South Carolina picked up their first point since December 5th during their first trip to the Amway Center this season.
Orlando broke the ice late in the first period on Dylan Fitze's first goal of the season. Luke Boka's feed allowed Fitze to move down the right wall where he fired a shot past Cédrick Andree for the 1-0 lead.
For the first time this year, Ben Holmstrom found the back of the net to even the score at one with only 43 seconds left in the first period. The patience of Holmstrom paid off, waiting for goaltender Brad Barone to make the first move before throwing the puck off a defender and in for his first goal of the season.
The Stingrays took the lead at the 5:40 mark of the second period as Bryce Martin scored his first professional goal, making the score 2-1. It was Holmstrom making the play again, feeding Martin at the bottom of the right circle where his shot found the five hole of Barone.
Lawton Courtnall doubled the lead on his seventh tuck of the season 55 seconds after Martin's tally. The agile forward used quick cuts to open the lane for a wraparound attempt, sending the puck through the wickets of Barone for the 3-1 lead.
Orlando would cut the deficit back to one before the period expired as the former Hershey Bear, Hunter Fejes, secured his third goal of the year. On the first and only power play of the night, Fejes wristed a shot from the left circle that deflected off Andrée and past the end line for the goal.
South Carolina regained their two-goal advantage early in the third period as the Stingrays tallied a power play goal. Connor Moore fired a shot towards the net, and with the hand-eye coordination of Justin Florek, the puck was tipped over the shoulder of Barone.
The Solar Bears used three unanswered goals to claim victory, beginning with Luke McInnis' fourth of the year. McInnis was left alone on the bottom of the right circle, clapping a one-timer past Andrée before Boka tied the game with 2:35 remaining in regulation. Boka cleaned up a loose puck in front of the net, shooting one past a sprawling netminder.
Boka played hero yet again, capping off the comeback with his ninth goal of the year in overtime. Receiving the puck outside of the left circle, the forward inched closer before snapping a wrist shot over the Stingrays goaltender for the win.
Andrée and Barone each halted 30 shots a piece in the contest on New Year's Eve.
The Stingrays kick off the new year back in Jacksonville, Forida as they take on the Jacksonville Icemen for the fifth game in the last six outings. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Single game tickets for all your Stingrays home games for the upcoming 2021-22 home season are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Save money with group tickets! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-2248.
ECHL Stories from December 31, 2021
- The Lions Are Back on the Ice - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- K-Wings End 2021 in Comeback Fashion with Scoring Frenzy in Final Minutes - Kalamazoo Wings
- Kaczperski Dazzles But Landers Fall on New Year's Eve - Iowa Heartlanders
- Thunder Downed in OT on New Year's Eve in KC - Wichita Thunder
- Americans Beat Idaho 4-1 - Allen Americans
- Blades Blank Gladiators 2-0 in Series Opener - Florida Everblades
- Gladiators Offense Falters in Final Game of 2021 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Cyclones Close 2021 with Shootout Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Steelheads Fall 4-1 to Americans to Close 2021 - Idaho Steelheads
- Walleye Finish 2021 with First Winterfest Victory - Toledo Walleye
- Admirals Fall to Nailers, 5-2 - Norfolk Admirals
- Nailers Close out 2021 in Style with 5-2 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Late Rally Lifts Wings over Oilers on NYE - Tulsa Oilers
- Lions Lose to Mariners - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Walleye Hand Indy Second Straight Loss Outdoors - Indy Fuel
- Growlers Fall 4-3 in Overtime on New Years Eve - Newfoundland Growlers
- Mariners Rally Back for New Year's Eve Victory - Maine Mariners
- Railers Shut out by Royals 2-0 - Worcester Railers HC
- Grizzlies Gameday: Final Game of 2021 in the Black Hills - Utah Grizzlies
- Cote-Cazenave Records Shutout in Pro Debut in 2-0 Royals Win - Reading Royals
- Kelly Cup Champion Jeremy Yablonski Returns from Retirement, Signs with Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - December 31 - ECHL
- Noah Corson Assigned to Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Kupsky Signs with AHL Colorado, McAuley Signs PTO with AHL Hershey - Idaho Steelheads
- Boka Scores Twice for Solar Bears in 5-4 OT Thriller - Orlando Solar Bears
- Stingrays Earn Point, Drop Game in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Game Notes: vs Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Royals End 2021 with Friday Matchup against Worcester - Reading Royals
- Tendeck to NHL Taxi Squad, Wichers Returned from Tucson - Rapid City Rush
- Everblades and Gladiators to Meet up for Auld Lang Syne in Georgia - Florida Everblades
- The Lions Are Back on the Ice - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Wichita Closes 2021 Tonight in Kansas City - Wichita Thunder
- Game Day Preview: Americans Host Idaho, 6:05 PM - Allen Americans
- Corey Lajoie Headlines Seven Driver Lineup for Swamp Rabbits Racing Night - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Matias Cleland Returns to Thunder Blue Line - Adirondack Thunder
- Glads Ready to Ring in New Year with Series Opener - Atlanta Gladiators
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