Goepfert helps Stingrays get off to fast start in the south

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays rode the shutout goaltending of Bobby Goepfert to record a 3-0 victory and their fourth win in six games into the young 2008-09 season. The Rays no doubt enjoyed facing the Charlotte Checkers as South Carolina recently finished splitting four straight games played against the Florida Everblades, after an opening night win in a single game against Augusta.
 
Goepfert, who signed with the Stingrays over the summer, just returned to Charleston after a two week stint in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears. He delighted 3,107 fans with 26 saves while the Ray’s offense fired 41 shots at Checker’s goalie and former Stingray Maxime Daigneault who played well stopping 38 shots in a losing effort.  
 
Special teams play provided all the offense the Stingrays needed as they scored one shorthanded goal followed by two power play goals to win the first of fourteen scheduled games between the two teams this season.
 
Stingrays Coach Jared Bednar was pleased with the overall play of his team.   In his post game remarks, Bednar shared his feelings with PHN.
 
“ It was what I am looking for in a total game effort.”   Indeed, the Rays played a consistently strong game for almost the entire game, except for roughly a five minute stretch at the start of period two.   Bednar in his post game remarks also singled our forwards Steve Pinizzotto and Paul McIIveen, as well as Goepfert, for their individual performances.    
 
The Stingrays stuck early at the 2:44 mark of period one. Initially down two men, as the first of the two penalties expired, rookie Michael Dubuc stepped out of the penalty box and immediately intercepted a Charlotte pass. He redirected the puck to Trent Campbell who got around the Charlotte defense to score his first goal of the season. It would turn out to be the only goal needed for the win.
 
Paul McIIveen added insurance by scoring his first goal of the season on a power play at the 18:09 mark in period one. Assists went to forward Keith Johnson and to defenseman Sasha Pokulok.   The big defenseman Pokulok is rounding into a very strong offensive threat with his size, long skating stride and hard shot from the point.   
 
Scoring for the night ended in period two as Steve Pinizzotto also scored his first goal of the season again, on a power play as he redirected a shot from the point by Zack Takir. Pierre-Luc O’Brien also had an assist on the final goal of the evening.
 
While there was no scoring in period three both teams traded opportunities in a well skated final 20 minutes.   Daigneault had a strong third period sweeping aside 15 shots while Goepfert stopped the 10 shots he faced in period three to preserve his shutout. The two teams meet again Saturday night in Charlotte.
 
Contact the author at phil.brand@prohockeynews.com