(via the Stingrays)
With two fast goals in the second period, the Manchester Monarchs took game one of the Eastern Conference Finals against the South Carolina Stingrays from North Charleston Coliseum, 2-1.
In the first ever playoff meeting for these teams, Manchester holds a 1-0 lead. Game two of the series will play tomorrow from the Coliseum.
Tonight’s loss marks the first home playoff loss for the Stingrays this year. They entered the game 6-0 from the Coliseum.
Parker Milner made 25 saves in the losing effort, while Max Nicastro scored the only goal for the Stingrays in the third period.
Sam Brittain anchored the Monarchs defense with 21 saves on 22 shots. South Carolina had trouble getting shots at him with defenders down to block shots on a consistent basis.
Alex Priviterra factored in on both goals for the Monarchs. He fired the shot tipped by Kevin Morris which trickled in behind Milner. Later, he ripped another shot and this one went through the traffic to find the net.
South Carolina struggled to get sustained pressure throughout the game, despite nearly matching Manchester in shots, 27-22. Manchester pulled away with a stron second period in that regard, outshooting the home team 14-6.
Rob Flick and Derek Arnold were all over the ice for South Carolina, but could not come up with anything to show for it past shots on goal. Arnold led the way with four, while Flick tied with Olivier Archambault at three. Flick used his stick to set up teammates, but his passes missed most of the night.
On their fourth and final power-play, Nicastro stepped into an Andrew Cherniwchan pass. Brittain saw it all the way, but the puck came and went too fast for him to react.
With Milner pulled for the extra skater, South Carolina could not get the equalizer, dropping their first home game of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Zajac ➡️ Cherny ➡️ Nicastro #RaysYourGame pic.twitter.com/lQxyortvq0
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) May 13, 2017
