This past weekend, the South Carolina Stingrays played a game for the first time in a week, as they made the trip out to Florida to take on the Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears. Time to see how they fared in the Sunshine State.
Stingrays Roll Over Everblades To Kick Off Road Trip
On Friday January 29th, the South Carolina Stingrays opened their three game road trip against the Florida Everblades at Hertz Arena. They did so with a dominant 5-1 victory. For the longtime rivals, this was the first matchup between the two so far this season.
Brett Supinski got the Stingrays on the board just six minutes into the game’s first period. Mark Cooper, who picked up the assist, skated through a pair of Everblades defenders before setting up the six-foot forward for the goal.
The Stingays would double their lead just 1:24 later in the frame, as winger Cole Ully scored his fifth of the season in front of the net from a feed from Max Novak. Dan DeSalvo would be rewarded with an assist on the play,
Florida would cut the lead down to one before the period ended at the 14:01 mark, as Alex Kile got his team on the board, though it was the lone goal of the night for the Everblades.
In the second period, things would sit at a standstill before Dan DeSalvo put his team back ahead two in the final minutes of the game’s middle frame. The winger scored a shorthanded breakaway to make it 3-1 with only 20 seconds remaining.
In the third, the Stingrays capitalized on two power play goals, this extending their lead up to 5-1. Defender Max Gottlieb got them going, as he buried a shot from the point with assists on the play from both Ully and Supinski. Graham Knott put the finishing touch on a dominant offensive win with his first as a Stingray. Assists went to winger Max Novak and Darien Craighead at 14:27.
The Stingrays finished the game outshooting the Everblades 27-26. Florida goaltender Devin Cooley stopped 22 shots for his team in the loss. Jake Kupsky turned aside 25 shots to earn his first win in his South Carolina debut.
Stingrays Luck Runs Out In Saturday’s Rematch
On Saturday January 30th, the South Carolina suited up for a rematch against the Everblades for game two of the series. The Stingrays would pick up a 4-1 loss.
Brett Supinski broke open the scoring on a redirect in front of the net just four minutes in from Mark Cooper and Cole Fraser.
Despite five power play opportunities in the second, including three five-on-three chances, South Carolina was unable to extend their lead and instead fell behind in the second. Forward Alec Marsh was able to even the game up with a shorthanded goal at the 12:24 mark. This was before Alex Kile gave Florida the lead just five minutes later.
In the third, Florida would tack on two more, which put up the Everblades 3-1 on the Stingrays. Michael Huntebrinker was credited with the goal, while Joe Pendenza closed it out four minutes later, which made it 4-1.
Jake Hildebrand earned the win for Florida, as the Everblades goaltender made 36 saves. Jake Kupsky, on the other hand, turned aside 32 shots in the loss.
Stingrays End Florida Trip with 4-1 Loss To Orlando
On Sunday January 31st, South Carolina wrapped up their three-game road trip with a 4-1 loss to the Orlando Solar Bears.
Orlando’s Mark Auk got Orlando buzzing after netting his first of 2020-21. This would give his team a 1-0 lead just six minutes in.
Scoring a wrap-around goal, Jerry D’Amigo doubled Orlando’s lead to begin the second at the 7:47 mark. The Solar Bears weren’t done there, as with 30 seconds left, winger Zack Andrusiak would score off a deflection, which would make it 3-0.
Moving along to the third, Orlando put the finishing touches on, extending their advantage to 4-0 over the Stingrays. Just 34 seconds in, Aaron Luchuk would score on a power play goal.
The Stingrays didn’t hold back, as they would respond with a goal from Paul Meyer at the 8:56 mark of the game’s final period. As that got the team on the scoreboard, assists were awarded to Graham Knott and Brett Supinski.
Orlando would finish the day outshooting the Stingrays 43-27. Garret Sparks picked up the win for the Solar Bears, making 26 saves en route to the victory. Backstop Jake Kupsky made his third straight start, stopping 39 shots in a losing effort.
The Stingrays return to action on Wednesday as they stop home for one game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Puck drop at North Charleston Coliseum is scheduled to fall at 7:05pmET. The two don’t meet again until March 31st, where they will close out the season.