With 20 points up for grabs the rest of the way, South Carolina sits two points behind Orlando for the fourth and final division playoff spot.
The Stingrays kept pace with the rest of East by defeating the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in a 7-5 barn burner at the North Charleston Coliseum. All goals came at even strength.
While T.J. Oshie and Paul Carey got hat tricks for Washington and Hershey, Olivier Archambault scored the first three Stingrays’ goals. Archambault is now tied with captain Joe Devin for fourth on the team in goals.
Tristan King and Tommy Thompson interrupted Archambault’s hat trick with goals for the visitors.
Andrew Cherniwchan scored two goals of his own to close the second period, bringing his season total to nine. The Stingrays lead the Swamp Rabbits 5-2 after the second period.
Patrick Gaul, back off of reserve, notched two assists in the opening 40 minutes. Cody Corbett, making his Stingrays debut after a trade from AHL San Antonio, got his first point with an assist on Cherniwchan’s second goal.
Greenville roared back to tie the game in the first seven minutes of the third. Angelo Miceli, Allan McPherson, and King scored to tie up the contest.
Thanks to a turnover deep in the offensive zone, Steven McParland scored unassisted for the game-winner. Devin, in his return from his pro tryout with AHL Cleveland, scored an empty-netter from the red line.
The only penalties of the game came mid-first period. Marcus Perrier took an interference minor, then Wade Epp cleared the puck out of play on the ensuing face-off for a delay of game. The Stingrays killed off both penalties easily, allowing just one shot on goal.
The Stingrays gained no ground in the East. Adirondack defeated Wheeling in overtime, moving the Nailers into a tie with the Rays, Orlando defeated Florida, and Cincinnati beat Alaska.
With the Rays inactive on Sunday, the Nailers lost in overtime to the last-place Elmira Jackals, moving one point ahead of South Carolina. Spots two through 10 in the East are separated by 10 points.
NEXT WEEK
The Stingrays have a chance to grab six points in a three-game series against the Atlanta Gladiators. First up is a Wednesday clash at Infinite Energy Arena, then a Friday-Saturday series at North Charleston Coliseum. Sunday afternoon, they will host the Indy Fuel as they make a trip through South Carolina.
Orlando sees Adirondack twice and Brampton three times in the next nine days. Wheeling will host Idaho for three games. Sandwiched by their games against Orlando, Adirondack sees Reading twice. Cincinnati will meet Fort Wayne this weekend as well.
College and high school students with a valid ID will get half-price lower level tickets for the Wednesday game in Atlanta. Friday is “Rock the Red” night, with the Rays wearing their Washington Capitals-inspired home reds. For Saturday’s game in North Charleston, the first 2,000 fans will get a team poster. Sunday is “Mascot Mania,” featuring mascots from around the Lowcountry.
CURRENT STANDING
62 games played, 33-26-2-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL), 69 points, 10th in East, 5th in South Division
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Two points behind Orlando (4th), five points behind Cincinnati (3rd), six points behind Greenville (2nd)
