Since the Florida Everblades embarrassed the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum two weeks ago, little has come between the Rays and a victory. Norfolk traveled in to be beaten away last weekend before the Rays embarked out for Orlando to end the 205 calendar year.
Even though Mark Dekanich returned to the team in time to start, the reigning CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week, Brandedn Komm, started for the visitors. Building on their success from last week, the Rays limited the Solar Bears to one goal on seven shots after the first period. Jared Staal got the game started for the Stingrays at just seven seconds for his third goal of the year. Colin Mulvey continued his quietly impressive season, scoring four minutes later to doube the advantage. Max Nicastro blew one by Komm on a slap shot, but Andrew Rowe responded to restore the two-goal lead. Defense seemed optional in the middle 20 minutes with South Carolina pumping 16 shots on goal while the Solar Bears scored twice — Nicastro again followed by Brady Vail — on 13 shots. Paul Rodrigues scored on the power play in the third period to reclaim the lead permanently for South Carolina. Nick Jones scored shorthanded on the empty net to end the game 5-3; Komm improved to 6-0-0-0 with the win.
Dekanich returned to the net for South Carolina as they welcomed the Cincinnati Cyclones to the Lowcountry. David Pacan, meanwhile, savored his chance to play against the club he skated 62 games with last season. Pacan scored the sole goal of the first two periods, beating Neil Conway under his glove. Conway and Dekanich kept the other’s offense off the boards through the second, but Christiaan Minella tied the game breifly in the third period. Pacan used a Rodrigues pass three minutes later to restore the lead. On the power play, Pacan sent the hats flying to the ice with his ninth of the year and third of the game. Brett Cameron scored on the empty net to lock up Dekanich’s return victory.
Even with a season-high 45 shots toward backup Brandon Whitney, only two found their way beyond the goal line in the rematch with Cincy on Sunday. Zach Budish scored in the opening frame and Mulvey hit yet another power play marker in the second to tie the game. This game marked the sixth straight contest with a power play goal for South Carolina. Nick Hudard took the lead back for the Cyclones before the second horn. Andrew Yogan added a short handed marker to make the lead two. Mulvey scored on his ninth shot of the game to give South Carolina a late chance in the last minute, but Cody Carlson hit the empty net off the faceoff six seconds later to end the game 4-2. Komm suffered his first loss as a Stingray.
NEXT WEEK
The Stingrays travel North to visit the Adirondack Thunder for a Friday/Saturday series before visiting the Reading Royals on Sunday for the final time this season.
CURRENT STANDING
2nd in South Division, 19-11-2-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL), 41 points
