ESTERO, Fla – Forward Wayne Simpson recorded two goals and two assists to send the South Carolina Stingrays (8-5) to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2009 with a 5-2 win over the Florida Everblades (6-6) in Game 6 of the East Division Finals at Germain Arena Monday night. The Stingrays win the best-of-seven series 4-2.
Simpson opened the scoring on the power play 10:32 into the game ripping a shot over the blocker of Everblades netminder Daniel Altshuller (L, 24 saves on 28 shots) off the left-wing faceoff circle. Defenseman Drew MacKenzie picked up the lone assist. 
Team captain Andrew Rowe made it a 2-0 Stingrays lead in the second period blasting a one-time feed from Simpson past the left pad of Altshuller at 9:35. Forward Derek DeBlois added the second assist.
The Everblades pulled within one 2:13 into the final frame as forward Ray Kaunisto slipped a shot past Stingrays netminder Jeff Jaikaitis (W, 30 saves on 32 shots), but the Stingrays reclaimed a two-goal advantage 30 seconds later and DeBlois tapped a bouncing puck past Altshuller. MacKenzie and Simpson chipped in assists. DeBlois struck again to make it 4-1 at 9:40 with help from Rowe. With time running out, the Everblades pulled Altshuller for an extra attacker in search of a spark, but the Stingrays hit the back on of the empty net thanks to Simpson’s second of the game and sixth goal of the playoffs at 13:58. Forward Rob Bellamy picked up the lone assist. The Everblades were able to grab a power-play tally off the stick of Mike Aviani with under half a minute to play to complete the game scoring. The Stingrays finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play while the Everblades went 1-for-4.
The Stingrays advance to the third-round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009 and will face the winner of the North Division Finals between the Toledo Walleye and Fort Wayne Komets.
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