Stingrays Erase Three Deficits to Defeat the Royals 4-3 in Game 5
April 26, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
Reading, PA - Forward Derek DeBlois scored the game-winning goal with 1:21 left in the contest to give the South Carolina Stingrays (3-2) and 4-3 comeback victory over the Reading Royals (2-3) in Game 5 of the East Division Semifinals at Santander Arena Sunday evening. The Stingrays lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with a chance to close Tuesday night at the North Charleston Coliseum.
The Royals opened the scoring 8:10 into the first period when defenseman Mike Marcou buried a rebound past Stingrays netminder Jeff Jakaitis (W, 24 saves on 27 shots). Stingrays forward Wayne Simpson tied the contest at 15:37 batting the puck out of the air and past the glove on Royals goalie Connor Knapp (L, 36 saves on 40 shots). Defenseman Lee Moffie, who made his postseason debut tonight, earned the primary assist and forward Caleb Herbert added the second.
Royals forward Cam Reid made it 2-1 on the power play early in the third period lifting a second opportunity past the right pad of Jakaitis at 2:37. The Stingrays made it 2-2 less than two minutes later when forward Joe Devin caught a pass from defenseman Frankie Simonelli to beat Knapp under the blocker from between the faceoff circles at 4:08. Forward Derek DeBlois recorded the second assist. Forward Sean Wiles reclaimed the lead for the Royals at 9:17.
The Stingrays continued to battle heading into the third period and were rewarded at the 7:10 mark as forward Andrew Rowe buried the game-tying tally over the glove of Knapp with help from Simpson and Herbert. As the clock wound down, an exhausted Stingrays line forced a turnover below the goal line where DeBlois curled around the right post of Knapp to send in the game-winning with 1:21 to play. The Royals received a power-play and pulled Knapp for the extra skater with 58 seconds to go to skate 6-on-4, but Devin and the Stingrays' defense blocked multiple opportunities to seal the victory. The Stingrays finished the game 0-for-1 on the power play while the Royals went 1-for-6.
The Stingrays return home to the North Charleston Coliseum on Tuesday, April 28 for Game 6 against the Royals and, if necessary, Game 7 on Wednesday, April 29. Tickets for Game 6 go on sale tomorrow, Monday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. Grab your seats at StingraysHockey.com and Ticketmaster. If necessary, Game 7 is Wednesday, April 29 at 7:05 p.m. at the Coliseum with tickets going on sale that morning at 10:00 a.m.
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 April 26, 2015
- Royals Unable to Hold Three Leads in Game Five Loss - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Erase Three Deficits to Defeat the Royals 4-3 in Game 5 - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Transactions - April 26 - ECHL
- Everblades Release Statement Regarding Allen York - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Announces Fines - ECHL
- Stingrays Playoff Game Preview: Stingrays and Royals Fight over Third Series Win Tonight in Game 5 - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - April 26 - ECHL
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