NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Rookie net minder Philipp Grubauer (4-0-0-0) reeled off his fourth straight win tonight to run his record to 4-0 as the South Carolina Stingrays (6-2-0) 12 points posted a 4-1 win over the visiting Florida EverBlades. The Washington Capitals’ goal tending prospect improved his season’s goals against average to 1.75 and save percentage to 0.941 with tonight’s performance.
Additionally South Carolina’s Matt Pope continued his season long eight game point streak picking up two assists to stay near the top of the ECHL individual scoring stats. He now has (5g-9a) 14 points scoring in all eight games this season.
Grubauer stopped 24 of 25 shots also got strong support on offense from newcomer Billy Ryan who scored goals in the first and second periods to ensure the win. His two goal outburst was complemented by ‘Rays’ forwards Sean Dolan and Pierre Luc-O’Brien who each got third period markers to solidify the win.
The Stingrays’ four goals came despite managing only 15 shots on goal against losing goaltender Pat Nagle. Meanwhile, Grubauer made a number of strong saves especially in the second and third periods while under heavy Florida pressure.
Florida’s lone goal briefly tied the game at 1-1 in the second period. The score came on a strike by forward Leigh Salters. Luc Tardif and Dominic D’Amour assisted on the score coming 4:49 into the second stanza.
Ryan playing in his second game for the Stingrays picked up his second goal since joining South Carolina just over a minute into the game as the crowd of 1,560 was getting settled in. He was set up by defenseman Johann Kroll and forward Trent Campbell and beat Nagle through the five hole along the ice.
After Salters tied it early in second period 1-1 Ryan who was temporarily sidelined when ‘Blades defenseman D’Amour took him heavily into the boards and missed several shifts got his second of the game and third for his new team at 17:42 of the period. Like his first goal number two tonight was also a low shot that somehow slipped in along the ice off setup passes from Pope and defenseman Paul Baier.
Dolan’s third period goal came as the home team was on a power play. They managed to break through on their fifth and final power play opportunity of the night. Florida meanwhile failed to score on any of their five power play opportunities. Dolan’s goal at 1:43 came on a deflection off a shot from the high slot by Pope. Derek Keller was credited with the secondary assist. The power play goal ran the score to 3-1 South Carolina.
Next up Pierre Luc-Obrien iced the game on a breakaway scoring on the only other shot by the ‘Rays in the third period. His goal came at the 16:29 mark. It was set up by Danick Paquette who freed the puck up for O’Brien’s successful solo dash to the net and the final 4-1 margin of victory.
Despite very different lineups iced by both teams than in past seasons the rivalry between the two clubs was still evident. On the night there were two separate fights and most of the penalties handed out by referee Curtis Marouelli were of an aggressive nature. The two teams match up again Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum at 7:05 PM.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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