Weekend Recap: Stingrays Split with Mariners

For the first time in franchise history, the South Carolina Stingrays hosted the Maine Mariners this past weekend at the North Charleston Coliseum. 

On Saturday, the Coliseum was flooded with pink as the team and fans supported the fight against cancer for Pink in the Rink Night.  

Justin Florek gave the Stingrays an early advantage, scoring within the first 42 seconds of the game. Shortly after, Max Humitz found the back of the net, giving the Rays a quick 2-0 start ahead of the Mariners. Later in the period, Josh Wilkins and Austin Magera also tallied goals before Michael DiPietro was pulled from the game, and Francois Brassard was put in. Three minutes later, Lawton Courtnall proved that there was no stopping their momentum, netting his 8th goal of the year.  

Bear Hughes continued to carry the team’s scoring streak into the second period, gaining his 22nd goal of the year. Maine finally got on the board with a power play goal scored by Andrew Peski. Peski found the back of the net again in the second period, cutting South Carolina’s lead down to four goals. After a plethora of penalties, including two fighting majors, the second period finally ended, and each team was ready to regroup.  

Ryan Scarfo came out in the third period ready to make an impact and quickly scored right out of the gate. Maine quickly tried to retaliate with an Askew goal, but it wouldn’t be enough. Tyler Wall continued to show his well-deserved Goalie of the Week accolades as he stopped 20 of the 23 shots faced by the Mariners, helping the Stingrays win the matchup 7-3.  

On Sunday, March 26th, the Stingray’s own Michael Kim was the first to strike in the first period, tallying his 7th goal of the season. Maine quickly retaliated, and Mitchell Fossirer made his mark past Clay Stevinson in goal.  

The game remained tied until Grant Gabriele put the Mariners ahead in the third period. The Rays were unable to answer back, falling to Maine 2-1.  

The South Carolina Stingrays are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, as only a few points separate the top four teams. They start their trip to the Midwest this week, as they travel to Cincinnati on Friday to take on the Cyclones, Fort Wayne on Saturday to face the Comets, and, finally, wrap up in Toledo on Sunday to face the Walleyes.