AffiliatesSouth Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Fall, Trail Series 3-2

via @justmestac

When asked about the weather delay that pushed puck drop back an hour, Derek DeBlois said the delay “didn’t at all” affect the Stingrays. But in another overtime loss at home, Stingrays Head Coach Spencer Carbery captured the mood of the team in two words: “really disappointed.” Greger Hanson scored 5:25 into OT to win the game 3-2 and take a 3-2 series lead in the Kelly Cup Finals.

The Stingrays began the night strong, scoring just 8:17 in to the first off Patrick Gaul’s persistence at the net-front. Then Riley Gill took over. With decent D in front limiting the Stingrays to 25 shots, Gill gave the Americans the safety net needed to mount a comeback. After piercing Jeff Jakaitis for a goal in the second, Jamie Schaafsma would assist on the lead marker by Chris Crane early in the third.

If not for Jakaitis’s goaltending, this score could have been a lot worse. On numerous times in his 29 save night, he made highlight-reel quality saves to keep the score close. But Gill’s presence in net made all the difference when he came out to challenge a shot. The 6′ 1″ goalie made 23 saves, giving up very few rebound chances.

“You’re not gonna beat Gill straight up” said Coach Carbery. “If you expect to score this time of the year, make a difference in the game, you better get to the net.”

Wayne Simpson’s goal came off a slap shot from Drew MacKenzie late in the third period. Gill’s acrobatics were not enough to stop the point-blank backhand from the Kelly Cup Playoffs leading scorer. Overtime, once again, was needed to settle this game.

No major chances existed to start OT, but Greger Hanson crashed the net and took advantage of a Jakaitis rebound to score the game winner.

When asked about tomorrow’s game, Captain Andrew Rowe and DeBlois both said nothing specific, but that more needed to be done to win tomorrow night. “It’s up for grabs. We’ve got our fans behind us” said Rowe, acknowledging the crowd of 4,184.

“We know what got us here. Got to get back to our game and play for a full 60” per DeBlois. The Stingrays can force Game 7 tomorrow night at 7:05, barring another weather delay.

Max Wolpoff

Churchill High School graduate (2015) and current Boston University journalism student. Follow me on Twitter (@Max_Wolpoff) for game-day tweets or my random musings about being a college student.

Related Articles

Back to top button