via @jrcar13
After a lower-body injury sidelined him for weeks, Washington Capitals goaltending prospect Adam Carlson returned to action in a 4-3 overtime win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. He stopped 28 shots, including all four in overtime, to help the Stignrays net one win from the weekend.
Three roster moves punctuated the leadup to the weekend slate against Atalanta and Greenville. First came the news that Derek DeBlois, 10 goals and eight assists in 12 games this season, signed a contract with the Kassel Huskies of the DEL-2, the second highest level of German ice hockey. The Stingrays have placed DeBlois on suspension and will retain his ECHL rights.
In happier news, Steve Weinstein signed a Professional Tryout Agreement with the Hershey Bears, making him the second Stignrays defender to join the AHL club this season. Weinstein played in one game, earning a -1 rating.
With Carlson’s return, the Stingrays released goaltender Jordan Ruby from his PTO. Ruby made 18 saves in a 2-1 win over the Gladiators in his lone apperance for the Stingrays. He will return to the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
In his fourth straight start, Parker Milner made 24 saves at the Infinite Energy Center, and his offense did not help him one bit. The Gladiators defeated the Stingrays 4-0, their first win over South Carolina this season in four tries.
Justin Buzzeo gave Atlanta the game-winner in the first period, and three different goalscorers followed. Mark Naclerio and Daniel Bahntge put the lead at three, and Derek Nesbitt’s empty-netter sealed the scoreline.
Rob Flick did not make any new friends in this contest. The Stingrays’ leading scorer interfered with goaltender Matt Ginn following Atlanta’s third goal, drawing the ire of Patrick McCadden. The fight marked Flick’s sixth scrap this season, six shy of his professional record from 2011-12 when he played for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL, 3) and Rockford IceHogs (AHL, 9).
In the 11th of 14 meetings between the intra-state rivals, the Stingrays pushed their record against the Swamp Rabbits to 8-2-1-0 this season. John Parker found the net for his seventh of the season and the overtime winner in a 4-3 game.
Michael Joly put Greenville up five minutes into the first, but Dylan Margonari scored a minute later to ensure they would not be jolly for long. Olivier Archambault scored for a breif South Carolina lead, to be cancelled out by recently-reassigned Ahti Oksanen.
Parker and Matt Prapavessis traded tallies in the second period, the last of regulation time scoring. The Swamp Rabbits had four shots in the extra frame before the Stingrays got their first and only, all they would need.
NEXT WEEK
The Stingrays and Swamp Rabbits will play their 12th matchup of the year Tuesday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. They follow that up with two home matchups against Florida, then another agaisnt Atlanta.
Saturday’s contest with the Everblades is a Youth Jersey Giveaway for the first 1,500 children 14 and under. In addition, the Rays will wear specialty jerseys to be auctioned to fans at the conclusion of the game. Also, parking is free.
Sunday’s matchup with Atlanta starts at 3:05 p.m.
CURRENT STANDING
2nd South Division, 38 games played, 22-14-1-1 (46 points), .605 points percentage
