PENSACOLA, Fla. – Brendan Bernakevitch scored his second goal of the game in overtime to give the South Carolina Stingrays a thrilling 4-3 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Pensacola Civic Center.
“I’m proud of the way we played,” South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. “The guys believe in themselves. We have a lot of drive and determination and we have proven that we can fight through adversity. We’re getting rewarded for our hard work.”
Pensacola (1-8-1, 3 points) opened the score at 1:39 of the first period. Jason Goulet scored on the Ice Pilots first shot of the game beating Davis Parley. Assists went to Brendan Cook and Rob Rankin.
South Carolina (7-3-0, 14 points) tied the score at 1-1, as Chris Chaput buried a shot from Marc Busenburg to tally his sixth of the season. Jamie Fraser also garnered an assist at the 5:35 mark.
With 2:44 remaining in the first period a power failure delayed action for 20-minutes and as a result the teams were sent to their respective locker rooms.
When play resumed, Bernakevitch took a drop pass from Jamie Fraser and posted his third goal of the year at 3:43 of the second period.
Fraser then made it 3-1 for South Carolina by netting his second of the night on a shot from the left circle that beat Mole between the pads at 12:41 of the middle stanza. Chaput and Nate Kiser drew assists on the goal.
Dan Sullivan cut the lead to one by re-directing a Mario Joly shot from the blue line on the power play. Dallas Steward also had a helper on the goal.
In the dying seconds of the third, Pensacola had the extra attacker on the ice and Goulet tied the score with just four seconds left in regulation time. Derek Krestanovich had the lone assist.
At the 3:00 mark of overtime, Bernakevitch took a pass from Ryan Bennett and beat Mole in close to end the game in dramatic fashion for the Stingrays.
South Carolina was unable to convert on six power play chances, while Pensacola went 1-for-8 with the man advantage.
The Stingrays return home for a 4 p.m. game on Sunday against Augusta at the North Charleston Coliseum. It’s Charleston Miracle League Night and Sunday Kids Day, which offers a $5 ticket for each child 12-and-under followed by a postgame “Skate with the Rays.”
Catch live play-by-play action with Mike Kelly, “Voice of the Stingrays” on ESPN Radio 910 The Team and online at www.stingrayshockey.com beginning at 3:45 p.m. with the Benito’s Pregame Show. Watch the game live on the web telecast for $6 each at www.stingrayshockey.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.
Don’t miss the fast-paced, action-packed, family affordable fun! Full season and partial season ticket packages are available by calling (843) 744-2248.
Individual tickets can be purchased at the North Charleston Coliseum box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (843) 554-6060 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Discounted groups tickets, birthday packages, Kids Club information and fundraiser opportunities are available by calling (843) 744-2248 or by visiting online at www.stingrayshockey.com. Stingrays Hockey – A Whole Lot Cooler!
