ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Tie Series with Three Goals in Third Period in Game 4 Win

Published on May 20, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


WHEELING, WV-The South Carolina Stingrays (10-6) power play could not have picked a bigger time to score for the first time in the Eastern Conference Finals. Brett Cameron's goal on the man-advantage at 15:09 of the third period was the game-winning tally, as South Carolina overcame a 2-1 deficit to earn a 4-2 victory over the Wheeling Nailers (10-7) in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The series is tied, 2-2, and is guaranteed to return to South Carolina next week.

The Stingrays trailed early in the third period as Ty Loney scored his fifth goal of the postseason only 48 seconds into the frame, beating Stingrays netminder Vitek Vanecek through the five-hole to make it 2-1 Nailers.

After seeing the Nailers earn third period comeback wins in Game 2 and Game 3, the Stingrays flipped the script on Friday night. Vanecek came up with a giant breakaway save on Riley Brace to keep it 2-1, and South Carolina would tie the game at 11:57 on a turnover by Brace. The forward tried to float a pass out of the defensive zone. Marcus Perrier intercepted the clearing attempt, and beat Wheeling's Franky Palazzese with a slap shot to make it 2-2. The goal was Perrier's first of the playoffs.

After going 0-for-10 through the first three games of the series on the power play, and 0-for-4 to start the evening, the Stingrays made the final power play of the night count. With James Melindy in the box for tripping, Cameron scored his fifth goal of the playoffs at 15:09. Stephan Vigier won a puck battle off a face-off, and Kelly Zajac broke through a scrum of players. He cut out front and fed a pass to Cameron on the right side of the crease. Cameron roofed a shot up and over the glove of a sprawled Palazzese to give the Stingrays the 3-2 lead.

David Pacan would add his second goal of the playoffs into an empty net, shorthanded, at 18:43 to give the Stingrays the 4-2 win.

Scoring earlier in the game came when the two teams traded goals in a span of just 1:02 in the second period. South Carolina struck first with a goal at 4:57 of the middle frame. Austin Fyten threw a pass up ice to Caleb Herbert. The forward knocked the pass down with his skate and charged ahead. He snapped a shot past the blocker of Palazzese from the right wing to make it 1-0 South Carolina. At 5:59, Wheeling responded as Brace's backhand shot popped over the blocker of Vanecek to make it 1-1.

South Carolina outshot the Nailers 25-19 on the evening. The Stingrays were 1-for-5 on the power play while Wheeling was 0-for-4.

The series continues tomorrow in Wheeling for Game 5. Puck drop is 7:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to head to King Street Grille-Northwoods for the Watch Party. With the series tied 2-2, it is guaranteed that the two teams will return to the North Charleston Coliseum for Game 6 on Monday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. via the Coliseum Box Office or online via Ticketmaster.com. Fans looking to score a group rate for purchases of 10 or more tickets may call the Stingrays offices at 843-744-2248 tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Game 6 will feature a Stingrays Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. with $2 beers and $2 hot dogs all game long.

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from May 20, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central