(Caps Outsider)
From the opening faceoff to the final seconds Wednesday, the Stingrays faithful cheered in the final home game of the season, especially as Marcus Perrier‘s tip-in goal began a dominant 4-1 win against the Allen Americans in Game 6 of the Kelly Cup finals.
“[Jeff Jakaitis] playing every game really well, helping this team every single night.”Michal Cajkovsky said after the game. “Today he was really good.. [he] save our asses again today.”
Cajkovsky was one of many D-men blocking shots all game for Jakaitis on his way to a 30 save game.
For the second goal, Joe Devin fired a one-timer from point blank range off a tap pass from Caps prospect Caleb Herbert, his second of three assists. Less than three minutes later, Herbert took a rebound for a shot, but it was saved by Riley Gill. However, Herbert’s persistence helped regain the puck for Frankie Simonelli, who would score to put the Stingrays up 3-0. Gill faced the same number of shots, 31, as Jakaitis, but saved 27.
The major difference between Wednesday’s performance and Tuesday’s loss was in Gill’s ability to control rebounds. The traffic in front was increased slightly, but the rebound recovery proved too much for him to handle.
South Carolina definitely played their game through two periods, then Allen’s frustration got in the way. Allen committed eight penalties after Simonelli’s goal; South Carolina committed seven. Amid a lively crowd, Konrad Abelthauser took a frustration penalty for tripping, leading to Devin’s second goal.
“We just wanted an opportunity to play a game 7. That’s all we were focused on tonight” Coach Spencer Carbery said after the game.
“We’re excited and it’s a good win. We’ll enjoy tonight and turn the page and get ready for game 7,” assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky added.
At the one minute mark, every Stingrays fan was on their feet. For the final ten seconds, the North Charleston Coliseum reached a thunderous ovation for a strong game by their team. This Sunday, it is one game for everything. Nothing is more important for the Stingrays than resting up for the final game of the season. One of these teams, Allen or South Carolina, will hoist the Kelly Cup in the Allen Event Center on Sunday night.
