ALLEN, Texas – The South Carolina Stingrays took a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday night, after a 4-1 win at Allen Event Center in a game that was much closer than the final score indicates.
The Stingrays took a 1-0 lead to the third period, before South Carolina forward Andrew Rowe poked home a rebound that just made it across the line past Riley Gill to give South Carolina a 2-0 lead, at the 5:16 mark of the final frame. The Americans cut the lead to 2-1 two minutes and sixteen seconds later, when Chris Crane ripped one from the left face-off circle past Jeff Jakaitis for his 8th of the season, from Aaron Gens and Jamie Schaafsma. However, the Stingrays weren’t done either as Andrew Rowe added his second of the night, firing one past Riley Gill for his 14th of the post season, and a 3-1 Rays lead. Wayne Simpson added an empty netter late to seal the deal and the Stingrays head home up 2-1 in the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals.
“We played hard tonight and couldn’t catch a break,” said Allen Americans Assistant Coach Erik Adams. “They caught a couple breaks to go their way and now we’re in a position we have to win a couple games their building. We’ve been a good road team all season, so I’m not worried about our team bouncing back.”
The next three games will be at the North Charleston Coliseum starting on Sunday night, at 6:00 pm North Texas time. If there is a Game 7, it will be on Sunday, June 14th at 4:05 pm at Allen Event Center.
With Allen Americans team release
Contact the photographer: Kimberly.Sauer@prohockeynews.com
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