South Carolina tops Allen 5-3 at North Charleston Coliseum; qualifying for Playoffs

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — On the verge of clinching a ticket to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, the South Carolina Stingrays faced off against the Allen Americans Saturday at the North Charleston Coliseum, cheered on by 5,430 fans.

For the second straight night the Rays scored early, with forward Anthony Rinaldi sending home a goal giving the Stingrays a 1-0 lead only 3:14 into the period.

Over ten minutes later the Stingrays doubled their advantage thanks to Kyler Kupka who knocked home a center goal fed by Dean Loukus on the power play.

South Carolina was ahead 2-0 with 4 minutes left in the first, however Allen Americans player Danny Katic scored a quick goal making it 2-1 at the end of the first. Allen seemed to gain momentum after that goal with Harrison Blaisdell tying the game early in the second with a shorthanded goal.

Now with the two-goal lead buffer gone the Rays were searching for a break in Allen’s defenses.

READ MORE | Stingrays sign forward Casey McDonald after four-year college career at LIU

Yet again one of the newest team acquisitions delivered as Rays player Rinaldi tucked home an odd-man chance just over five minutes into the second period pushing South Carolina back in front, 3-2.

The Allen American’s goalie Marco Costantini was peppered with shots from the rays throughout the second, as they worked to regain a larger edge. Costantini blocked 17 shots on goal in the second period and both teams moved to the third maintaining a 3-2 score.

Over seven minutes into the third period Kupka punched home his second goal of the night, building South Carolina’s lead back to 4-2. The Americans responded quickly however, when forward Michael Gildon made a score with 8:19 left in regulation.

Heading into the final minutes of the game with only a one-goal cushion, the Stingrays earned a much needed insurance goal at the hands of Casey McDonald.

Though the Americans pulled their goalie to bring out an extra player with 2:32 left, they ended up scoring only one goal, unable to totally cover the two goal lead that the Stingrays had continually built up.

With this victory, the Stingrays have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the 30th time in 33 seasons. South Carolina has points in 15 of its last 16 games, and have 24 wins at home this season, second most in the ECHL.

The Stingrays will return to the North Charleston Coliseum on March 22nd, against the Allen Americans for Pucks and Paws Day presented by Washes and Wags Pet Grooming at 3:05 p.m.