NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays 35-28-5 (75 points) dropped another home game, this time to the Greenville Road Warriors 41-22-4 (86 points) last night at the North Charleston Coliseum. A crowd of 2,271 had little to celebrate, as a combination of untimely penalties and a major mistake by the ‘Rays in their defensive zone allowed the Road Warriors to skate away with a 3-1 win. In one highlight of the night, defenseman Nate Kiser moved into the team lead as the ‘Rays’ all-time penalty minute leader (1,129) in the second period. He claimed the title after being assessed a fighting major, arising from an entertaining bout with T. J. Reynolds. Greenville goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu, who joined the Road Warriors this week, faced just 20 shots, outdueling Todd Ford, who deserved a better fate. Ford faced 27 shots making 23 saves. Two of the visitors’ goals came on power plays, while the third goal was a gift, as the ’Rays coughed up the puck in their defensive zone, centering a perfect pass to Justin Bowers, who was about five feet in front of the net. He buried the Road Warriors third goal to clinch the win. South Carolina got off to an excellent start in the first period, as Rob Ricci gave the locals a 1-0 lead at 8:53 of the period. Ricci’s 23 of the season, was set up by big defenseman Joe Finley. It came off a nice wrist shot from the near side circle. The ‘Rays missed a huge opportunity to extend their lead starting at the 16:58 mark of the first period. Greenville’s Chris Clackson was sent off by referee Steve Patafie, for five minutes for a boarding violation. The ‘Rays’ power play was anemic as they had just two shots on goal over the span of the five minute man advantage. Greenville’s Jimmy Kilpatrick knotted the game at 1-1 in the second period, at the 8:08 mark. His power play goal was set up by Bowers and Andrew Rowe. His slap shot from just inside the blue line, rung off the post and deflected into the net after coming through traffic. Next up, Brandon Wong pushed an easy rebound past a scrambling Ford at 15:58, to make it 2-1 in favor of the Road Warriors. The South Carolina net minder had made several saves in the sequence as Greenville scored again on a power play. Kiser had picked up a two minute minor after Reynolds, of Greenville, and Ryan Del Monte had each been assessed roughing coincidental minor penalties. Kiser came in to challenge Reynolds and drew an unsportsmanlike minor. Later on, Reynolds and Kiser would clash again, as the long time Stingrays’ defenseman claimed the all-time career penalty minutes lead for the team. The game remained 2-1 and the ‘Rays were still in the game, until the aforementioned mistake in their own zone set up the Bowers goal at 16:31 of the final stanza. The loss was their fifth straight at home for the South Carolina team. It was Ford’s first appearance in goal since late January, as he had been on a long term call up with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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