Stingrays, Checkers, give fans playoff preview in 1-0 shootout

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC- The South Carolina Stingrays and Charlotte Checkers provided a preview of what appears to be an upcoming first round series in the ECHL South Division playoffs.

The teams played through three periods and overtime without scoring. The game’s outcome was finally settled in the sixth round of a shootout 1-0 in favor of the Stingrays when Spencer Carbery stuffed a shot under losing goaltender Jeff Jakaitis. Given the current standings, it seems likely that South Carolina and Charlotte will meet in the first round of the playoffs. Charlotte currently trails South Carolina by five points in the race for second place in the South Division of the American Conference, but has two games in hand. What seems to be at stake is home ice advantage as one of these teams will likely finish second and the other in third place, thus meeting in the first round of the playoffs. The top four teams in each division meet in the playoffs. The teams meet two more times this regular season in Charlotte. While the playoffs may not have started, the intensity that usually surrounds playoff games has arrived at least between these two teams. Stingrays Head Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the atmosphere of the game tonight in his post game remarks. “That game had a playoff feel to it. Both teams played very hard tonight and deserved a point” A delighted crowd of 7,166 which included all time NHL great Mark Messier attending his third Stingray’s game since his son, defenseman Lyon Messier, joined the team, hung on to every play, especially during the intense third period and overtime when both goalies stopped numerous excellent scoring opportunities. The crowd and players were aware in the later stages of the game that a goal by either team was likely to be the game winner the way both goalies were playing. Despite the failure of both teams to produce goals the game was not a defensive struggle. Rather it featured lots of scoring opportunities, end to end action, hard checks, and one fight when Spencer Carbery and Cedrick Bernier fought to a draw in a second period scrap. The Stingrays especially had plenty of scoring opportunities to win in regulation time outshooting the Checkers and eight power play chances. The Rays however were unable to score on any of their power plays including one five-on-three opportunity. Charlotte failed to score on three power play opportunities. What stood out for fans was the overall intensity of the game as well as the playoff caliber work of both the goalies and the overall defensive effort by both teams. Each goalie made a number of outstanding saves as both were tested from point blank range in the waning minutes of regulation time and overtime. In the scrambles that followed the occasional rebounds the goaltenders allowed, someone was always there for both teams to clear the puck just when it looked as though a goal was forthcoming. Jonathan Boutin made 24 saves to pick up the win while losing goaltender Jeff Jakaitis stopped 40 shots. Thus, the big crowd held their collective breath as the shootout commenced. Ryan Hillier led off for the Checkers but failed to score. Surprisingly, Bednar sent out newly signed rookie Nikita Kashirski in his first game for the Rays to shoot first for the home team. He shot and bingo, the young Russian from Moscow, who was signed out of NCAA Division 3 member Norwich University, made himself an instant home town hero with a nifty shot over the glove of Jakaitis. This gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the shootout. Next, Chris Murray for Charlotte and Maxime Lacroix of the Rays failed to score in the second round and the next two shooters Chris Capraro and Pierre-Luc O’Brien were stopped in round three. Charlotte’s Michel Leveille managed to tie the score in the fourth round. Josh Godfrey was unable to score for the Rays. Jeff Miles quieted the home crowd as he gave the Checkers the lead in the shootout but dependable all-star Travis Morin scored in his second straight shootout to tie the score at two after the initial five rounds. Moving into sudden death, Boutin stonewalled Mike Bayrack leaving the door open for Spencer Carbery to help the Rays pick up two points when he jammed the puck under Jakaitis for the shootout victory. Note: The game marked the second straight game in which the Rays were unable to produce on the power play. In a 2-1 loss Friday night to the Trenton Devils, the Rays went 0-4 on power play opportunities. The recent power play results show that the Stingrays are missing rookie Michael Dubuc’s offensive output. He leads the team with 35 goals, thirteen of them coming on power plays. Dubuc was injured last Thursday in practice but the team is unsure when he will return. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com