The South Carolina Stingrays extended their winning streak to ten games with a 3–2 victory over the Jacksonville Icemen on Saturday night. Powered by goals from Erik Middendorf, Austin Magera, and Charlie Combs, and a steady 25-save performance by Mitchell Gibson, the Stingrays added another key divisional win to their regular season resume.
South Carolina entered the game atop the South Division and maintained that strong position with the victory. The Stingrays improved to 45-14-3-2 (95 points) with a .742 points percentage, the highest in the division. Jacksonville, holding third place in the division, fell to 39-19-5-1 (84 points) with a .656 points percentage.
First Period
The game started with physicality right out of the gate. Just 3:30 in, Ben Hawerchuk and Chase Lang dropped the gloves in a fiery exchange that set the tone for the night.
Just 38 seconds later, Jacksonville’s Ivan Chukarov was called for tripping, giving South Carolina an early power play opportunity. The Stingrays couldn’t convert, but they maintained offensive zone pressure.
It was South Carolina that struck first midway through the period.
GOAL (10:32, 1st Period): Erik Middendorf opens the scoring for South Carolina, finishing a feed from Josh Wilkins. Micah Miller earns the secondary assist.
Later in the period, South Carolina’s Connor Moore was sent off for slashing at 10:44. Then, at 14:02, matching slashing minors were handed out to South Carolina’s Dean Loukus and Jacksonville’s Ty Cheveldayoff.
The Stingrays outshot the Icemen 10–7 and took a 1–0 lead into the intermission.
End of First Period Stats
Score: South Carolina 1 – Jacksonville 0
Shots: South Carolina 10, Jacksonville 7
Penalties:
Ben Hawerchuk (SC), Fighting (3:30)
Chase Lang (JAX), Fighting (3:30)
Ivan Chukarov (JAX), Tripping (4:08)
Connor Moore (SC), Slashing (10:44)
Dean Loukus (SC), Slashing (14:02)
Ty Cheveldayoff (JAX), Slashing (14:02)
Second Period
The second period opened with more physicality as tensions from the first carried over. Just over three minutes in, a scrum escalated when Jacksonville’s Brody Crane delivered a shove on Loukus. South Carolina’s Dean Loukus immediately stepped in to answer, and the two dropped the gloves in a spirited tilt that drew plenty of energy from the benches and crowd. Both players received fighting majors at 3:01.
At 4:30, another scuffle broke out in front of the Jacksonville net. Both Charlie Combs of South Carolina and Ty Cheveldayoff of Jacksonville were assessed roughing minors as the game’s intensity ramped up. Jacksonville capitalized on their building momentum and tied the game moments later.
GOAL (6:07, 2nd Period): Ivan Chukarov ties the game for Jacksonville after a sweet spin move to free up the shot, with Brendan Harris and Logan Cockerill earning the assists.
The Stingrays didn’t take long to respond. At 7:08, Noah Laaouan (JAX) was called for cross-checking, putting South Carolina on the power play. The visitors made it count making them pay on the powerplay. Austin Magera puts the Stingrays back in front, pouncing on a rebound created by Justin Nachbaur’s initial setup, with Josh Wilkins also earning an assist.
South Carolina was back on the penalty kill at 10:28 when Romain Rodzinski was sent off for hooking. However, the Stingrays’ PK unit did its job, holding Jacksonville off the board.
Jacksonville led in shots during the frame, 12–9, but South Carolina carried a 2–1 lead into the third.
End of Second Period Stats
Score: South Carolina 2 – Jacksonville 1
Shots: Jacksonville 12, South Carolina 9
Penalties:
Dean Loukus (SC), Fighting (3:01)
Brody Crane (JAX), Fighting (3:01)
Charlie Combs (SC), Roughing (4:30)
Ty Cheveldayoff (JAX), Roughing (4:30)
Noah Laaouan (JAX), Cross-Checking (7:08)
Romain Rodzinski (SC), Hooking (10:28)
Third Period
Jacksonville opened the third period on the power play after a high-sticking penalty to Austin Magera at 1:59. They converted moments later to tie the game.
GOAL (2:07, 3rd Period – Power Play): Chris Grando ties it for the Icemen with a one-timer from the top of the right circle. Davis Koch and Ivan Chukarov assist on the power-play goal.
South Carolina did not back down and offered up a quick response.
GOAL (4:45, 3rd Period): Charlie Combs puts South Carolina back in front, set up by Romain Rodzinski and Austin Magera.
Jacksonville pulled goaltender Matt Vernon in the final 90 seconds in favor of the extra attacker but couldn’t find the equalizer as South Carolina’s defense held firm.
End of Third Period Stats
Score: South Carolina 3 – Jacksonville 2
Shots: Jacksonville 8, South Carolina 5
Penalties:
Austin Magera (SC), High-Sticking (1:59)
Third Period
Jacksonville opened the third period on the power play after Austin Magera was assessed a high-sticking penalty just 1:59 into the frame. The Icemen made the most of the opportunity
GOAL (2:07, 3rd Period – Power Play): Chris Grando ties the game at 2–2 with a one-timer. Davis Koch and Ivan Chukarov record the assists.
But South Carolina wasted no time regaining the lead.
GOAL (4:45, 3rd Period): Charlie Combs puts South Carolina back in front with a backdoor finish. The play started with a shot from Austin Magera and a quick feed across the crease from Romain Rodzinski.
From there, South Carolina focused on protecting their one-goal lead. Jacksonville generated pressure in the offensive zone, forcing a few key saves from Mitchell Gibson, who stood tall throughout the frame. With just over 90 seconds remaining, Jacksonville pulled goaltender Matt Vernon for an extra attacker, but the Stingrays’ defense held firm, blocking shots and clearing rebounds to preserve the 3–2 win.
Final Summary
Mitchell Gibson and the Stingrays earned the win with the goaltender earning 25 saves on 27 shots. Matt Vernon made 21 stops on 24 shots for Jacksonville. The Stingrays went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Icemen went 1-for-3.
Three Stars of the Game:
- Austin Magera (SC) – one goal, one assist
- Ivan Chukarov (JAX) – one goal, one assist
- Mitchell Gibson (SC) – 25 saves on 27 shots
What’s Next
The two teams will return to the ice later today, Sunday, March 23, at North Charleston Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 3:05 PM EDT.
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