The Stingrays were back in action at the North Charleston Coliseum on Sunday to honor former captain Andrew Cherniwchan with his Hall of Fame induction and jersey number retirement. He played for the Stingrays from 2012-2023, playing over 500 games for the club. He truly will be remembered for being one of the most inspiring, kind, and fearless Captains this organization has ever had.
South Carolina was back to take on Trois-Rivieres on home ice for the final time this year, coming off a loss from the Lions last night. Marko Reifenberger and Ian Mackey would renter the lineup, as Ivan Lodnia and Tyson Empey would be placed on reserve. Jackson Leppard would be moved up to the first line, bringing some much-needed intensity in Empey’s absence, and Mitchell Gibson would get the start in goal. Coach Brenden Kotyk would again opt to use seven defensemen, instead of his go to use of defensemen as forwards.
The Stingrays came out with a bang in the first period, putting four shots on Emond within the first minute of play. It would be Jacob Hudson who drew first blood on a nice center pass from Connor Moore as Hudson buried the puck past Emond. South Carolina would continue to dominate the puck possession and put some nasty shots on goal, ending the period with 14 shots on goal, compared to the Lions 2.
The Lions started out with the momentum early on, with a 2-1 rush opportunity that was quickly denied three minutes into the period. Colin Swoyer and Chris Jandric went at it in the corner as both players took it to the ground with the officials. Both clubs were assessed double minors for roughing. Shortly after, Nolan Yaremko pushed Ryan Leibold in front of the net, and the refs let them drop the mits and sort out their differences. More and more players tried to get in on the action as they headed to the box, as tension started to rise on the ice. Nicolas Lariviere hit Jon Mcdonald in the face, causing both men to be sent to the penalty box for roughing, starting 4-4 play. Guay ties the game after 36 seconds of 4-4.
Adams would be hauled into the box for a tripping call, putting the Lions on the man advantage and giving them a momentum push. They would leave the penalty with three shots on Mitch Gibson but would continue to put pressure on the netminder. The Notrious GIB would put on a clinic, as he was unstoppable. A one-timer from Novak would finally get through him, but it was bound to happen after ten shots had been taken in less than five minutes to end the period.
The Stingrays would continue their battle into the third period, as they were one goal away from tying the game. It would be Benton Maass’s snipe that would tie the game with almost eleven minutes to go that Jack Adams would deflect in to even the score. Not long after, newcomer Marko Reifenberger would send a missile from the blue line to send it past Emond, putting the Stingrays on top. Ethan Strang would be called for a late penalty, but South Carolina would continue to hold the Lions to only one shot on goal. TR would wait until only one minute to pull their goalie, but it wouldn’t be enough.
The Stingrays hit the road on Friday to take on their cross-state rivals, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, but they will return home on Saturday to take on the Swamp Rabbits for First Responders night. At this point in the season, every game counts as they look to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
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