NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Defenseman Frankie Simonelli buried the game-winning goal 7:21 into double overtime to give the South Carolina Stingrays (1-0) a 2-1 win over the Reading Royals (0-1) in Game 1 of the East Division Semifinals at the North Charleston Coliseum Friday evening. The Stingrays lead the best-of-seven series 1-0. 
Stingrays forward Joe Devin opened the scoring on the power play 1:47 into the second period redirecting a centering pass from forward Andrew Rowe over the blocker of Royals goaltender Connor Knapp (L, 37 saves on 39 shots). Forward Wayne Simpson added the second assist. The Royals responded late in the frame when defenseman Maxime Lamarche completed a 3-on-2 rush and beat Stingrays netminder Jeff Jakaits (W, 34 saves on 35 shots) between the legs at 17:34.
The Royals outshot the Stingrays in the third period 12-5 and 12-11 in the first overtime, but Jakaitis stood tall denying every opportunity. In the second extra session, the Stingrays were awarded a power play when Royals defenseman and former Stingray Brett Flemming held Devin. Moments later, defenseman Drew MacKenzie found blue-line partner Simonelli for the one-time blast and game-winning marker at 7:21. Forward Wayne Simpson added the second assist. The Stingrays finished the game 2-for-6 on the power play while the Royals went 0-for-3.
The Stingrays’ win ends the second longest playoff losing streak in ECHL history at nine games
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