ECHL South Division Semifinals - Game 6 Recap: Orlando Solar Bears vs South Carolina Stingrays

ECHL South Division Semifinals – Game 6 Recap: Orlando Solar Bears vs South Carolina Stingrays

It’s Sunday in the Holy City, and the pivotal game six of the Kelly Cup Playoffs returns to Charleston, South Carolina. The South Carolina Stingrays lead the series 3-2, making this a potentially series-ending game. The Orlando Solar Bears are fighting to extend the series, despite the absence of key players Mark Auk and Jaydon Dureau, who were instrumental in the team’s wins in the last two games. South Carolina reintroduces Mitchell Gibson as their goalie, while Orlando maintains Jon Gillies in the same position.

First Period

Things get underway, and Orlando takes control of the puck and gives us our first shot on goal. At 11:13, Spencer Kersten finds his way behind Mitchell Gibson. Thirty-four seconds later, Anthony Bardaro made it 2-0 Orlando. During the last seven minutes, tempers flare and scrums break out. South Carolina’s Tyler Weiss takes a slashing minor, a spearing major penalty, and a game misconduct for spearing, causing his immediate departure from the game. It turns to hands thrown with Orlando’s Miko Roelens, who receives a roughing minor penalty. 18:12 Anthony Bardaro gets his second goal of the night on the PP with 1:48. South Carolina’s Ryan Hofer finds the sweet spot with a minute left, a short-handed goal, closing the period. Orlando led in shots on goal, 15-3.

Second Period

Puck drops, and Orlando takes the faceoff with 54 seconds left on their power play. Continuing to dominate the game, Orlando’s Alex Frye makes it 4-1 at 7:39. South Carolina’s Blake Thompson takes a slashing penalty, putting Orlando back on the PP for the second time. On the power play, Jayden Lee scores a second of the night, a short-handed goal for South Carolina Stingrays, making it 4-2. Orlando puts South Carolina on their first PP with Djibril Toure for interference.

As the period ends, tempers flare after South Carolina’s Kyler Kupka takes a shot at an open net as the buzzer sounds, and all hell breaks loose. Orlando’s Reece Newkirk goes after Kupka, Ben Carroll (ORL) goes after Jayden Lee, Chris Harpur (ORL) takes on Erik Middendorf, Spencer Kersten shares some space with Josh Wilkins (SC), and Alex Frye (ORL) takes on Jordan Klimek (SC). Kyler Kupka receives an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and Reece Newkirk gets the roughing call. Everyone else is sent down the tunnel without penalties.

Third Period

Orlando starts with a goal by Tyler Bird, making it a 5-2 game. The Stingrays would spend the rest of the period trying to catch up. The teams are fighting to get the shots off while keeping the other out. Captain Jacob Graves for South Carolina gives up the last power play of the night for roughing Reece Newkirk. Jon Gillies is just an absolute beast in the net as South Carolina desperately pulls Mitchell Gibson with over three minutes remaining. With 37 seconds left on the clock, Spencer Kersten gets his second goal of the night on the empty net of South Carolina. Orlando takes the game 6-2, Jon Gillies making 17 of 19 saves, and Mitchell Gibson making 23 of 28.

Three Stars of the Game

All from the Orlando Solar Bears

First Star: Anthony Bardaro
Second Star: Spencer Kersten
Third Star: Aaron Luchuk

Upcoming

The series is now tied at three. South Carolina will need to improve its goaltending and overall drive in this game if it wants to advance to the South Division finals. Orlando needs to continue playing the way it has in the last three games; it will overpower the Brabham Cup Champions. It may be a Florida Division Final. Game seven takes place Tuesday, April 27th, at 7:05 PM EST in Charleston.