NORTH CHARLESTON , S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays dropped their first contest of the new season with a loss on Friday, to the Gwinnett Gladiators, with a final score of 6-2, before a big opening night crowd at the Gwinnett Center of 10,076. Todd Ford, an all-star in the ECHL last season, took the loss in goal for the ‘Rays. Ford divided his time much of last season, between the Stingrays and the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. He is under contract this season, with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and was recalled to Hershey shortly after Friday night’s loss. On Friday, after taking an early 1-0 lead against the Gladiators, the visitors surrendered four straight second period goals to Gwinnett revving up the big home crowd. Gwinnett never looked back. One bright spot during Friday’s game was the play of popular ‘Rays’ forward Nikita Kashirsky. He is off to a fast start with three goals in the team’s two opening games. Kashirsky scored both ‘Rays’ goals in the loss against Gwinnet and got the game winner for the ‘Rays in Sunday’s win upstate against the Road Warriors. The good news out of Greenville for South Carolina aside from the win is the fact that the ‘Rays climbed out of a 0-2 second period hole to tie the game before forging ahead to stay in period three. On Sunday, South Carolina traveled to new in-state rival Greenville. They beat the Road Warriors 4-2, behind rookie net minder, Jared DeMichiel. He recorded his first professional win in his professional debut. It appears he will handle the goaltending load for awhile, as the ‘Rays’ recently traded the other roster goaltender Beau Erickson to the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Accompanied by a large Stingrays’ fan contingent, the ‘Rays’ scored second period goals from defenseman Josh Godfrey and forward Maxime Lacroix to tie the score at 2-2. Kashirsky then got an early third period strike that held up as the aforementioned game winner. Veteran Mat Scherer added an empty netter to seal the win with 27 seconds left in the game. Godfrey picked up two assists on the night for a three point evening. After the rough team wide defensive effort on Friday, the ‘Rays added blue line experience to their roster before Sunday’s game, by signing veteran D-Man B ryan Schmidt. He was quickly added to the lineup and had a plus one effort in Greenville. The 29 year old Schmidt previously played with the 2007-08 Cincinnati Cyclones’ team that won the Kelly Cup. He is 6’3” and weighs in around 210 lbs. He played most recently in Germany and has also appeared in almost 140 games in the AHL. The Minnesota native played junior hockey in the United States Hockey League and NCAA collegiate hockey at Merrimac College. The ‘Rays were forced out of their initial own home opening date this past weekend by a major rock band appearance at the North Charleston Coliseum. They will play three straight times in Greenville over next weekend and on next Monday before opening up at home. The Florida EverBlades will provide the opposition to open the home season on Friday November 5, in the first of a three successive game home-stand. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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