via the Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays swept the Norfolk Admirals this past weekend by scores of 5-4 and 5-2. In Friday’s 5-4 win, there were six goals in the first period alone.
Nick Johnson potted his first ECHL goal off a rebound from Joe Devin to give the Rays a 1-0 lead before the game was three minutes old. The Admirals game roaring back scoring three unanswered to take a 3-1 lead before Patrick Gaul scored to cut the lead to 3-2 with assists from Devin and Johnson.
The Stingrays trailed 4-2 heading into the second, but by the end of the period they were up 5-4. The Stingrays got goals from Andrew Cherniwchan from Tim McGauley, Gaul from Joey Leach and Kelly Zajac from Steven Whitney and Robbie Baillargeon. This was Baillargeon’s first professional point in his first professional game.
The Stingrays excellent penalty kill, backstopped by goalie Jeff Jakaitis held the Admirals without a goal on five chances.
Saturday the Stingrays were dominant scoring the first four goals of the game. Marcus Perrier scored twice along with Paul Geiger, Dylan Margonari and Zajac who had a goal a piece. Baillargeon had a three assist night while McGauley and Whitney each had two. Jakaitis had 17 saves in the win.
Statistic Leaders:
Points: Whitney 6 (2-4), McGauley 5 (0-5)
Assists: McGauley 5, Baillargeon 4, Whitney 4
Goals: Cherniwchan 4, Perrier 2, Gaul 2, Whitney 2, Zajac 2
Plus/Minus: Travis Walsh, 3 Cherniwchan 3, Frankie Simonelli
Week Ahead: Friday, November 3 @ Greenville 7:00 pm, Sunday, November 5 vs. Jacksonville 3:05 pm
Standings: The Rays are currently second in the South Division with eight points (4-0-0), four points behind the Florida Everblades (6-1-0)
Roster Moves: Tuesday morning, Hershey sent down Parker Milner to South Carolina and Washington reassigned Kris Bindulis from Hershey to South Carolina. Hershey also called up Geiger. In a separate transactions the Stingrays have suspended forward Joe Morin who is seeking opportunities overseas.
