NORTH CHARLESTON, SC. — The South Carolina Stingrays lost game three of their first round series with the Cincinnati Cyclones in a tense and lengthy battle of goaltenders. Cincinnati rookie Jeremy Smith outdueled ECHL net minder of the year Todd Ford 1-0 before 2,354 fans at the North Charleston Coliseum. The teams played exciting but scoreless hockey for almost 77 minutes before Josh Heidlinger ended the scoreless tie with his first professional goal.
The break in the game came at the 16:49 mark of over time when Heidlinger picked up an unintentional pass that occurred as Brock Sheahan took a shot but as he fired the puck his stick shattered. The resultant half whiff left a setup for Heidlinger who rifled a shot from the left side circle through traffic past Ford. Will Ortiz got the other assist on the game winner.
Both clubs lived up to their billings as two of the best defensive teams in the ECHL. The Cyclones were especially effective in this game in shutting off the shooting lanes and not allowing second chances on rebounds. The Cyclones defense has held the Rays to just four goals in three playoff games.
Neither team could take advantage of power plays as the âRays went zero for three on power plays while Cincinnati failed to score on five chances. Two of the Cyclonesâ power plays came on delay of game penalties in the overtime period. South Carolina defenseman Grant Farrell shot the puck over the glass in his defensive zone twice in the extra period to draw both penalties.
Each team had numerous chances all evening as both squads were simply unable to solve the excellent goal tending at both ends of the ice. Smith faced 25 shots in the win. He was especially good in the last five minutes of regulation time as the Rays had several great chances and throughout the overtime period. Ford was also on top of his game and it took the change of pace on the broken stick shot and a crowd in front of the net that provided distraction on Heidlingerâs shot to help beat him. He stopped 20 of 21 shots in his second playoff loss.
âRaysâ Coach Cail MacLean expressed mixed emotions about tonightâs game in his post contest remarks. He was concerned to be down 2-1 in the series but said âI am not displeased with the teamâs effort in this game.â
The teams split the first two games in the best of five games in Cincinnati. The Cyclones can close the series out Saturday night. Game fourâs faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m at the North Charleston Coliseum. If a game five is required the teams will play again Sunday at 7:05 p.m in North Charleston.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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