Stingrays Weekly Report - October 29, 2018

After three games in Norfolk last week, the South Carolina Stingrays will head south this weekend for their first-ever regular season games against the Allen Americans. The only previous meetings between the two clubs came during the 2015 Kelly Cup Finals, a 7-game series won by Allen. The Rays are currently in second place in the ECHL’s South Division with eight points and a record of 4-4-0-0.

South Carolina has continued to show promise on the offensive side of the puck, having scored an average of 3.75 goals per game, which is fifth-best in the ECHL. The team has also posted the most shots on goal in the league, a total of 283 through their first eight contests.

STINGRAYS RECORD: 4-4-0-0LAST WEEK: 1-2-0-0WEDNESDAY: NORFOLK ADMIRALS 4, SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 1(Norfolk Scope – Norfolk, VA)Chris Crane scored twice and goaltender Merrick Madsen made 34 saves as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the South Carolina Stingrays by a final score of 4-1 on Wednesday night at the Norfolk Scope. Defenseman Tim Davison scored the lone goal for South Carolina on a redirect from the side of the net, while Adam Morrison got the start and stopped 17 shots in a losing effort. 

FRIDAY: SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 5, NORFOLK ADMIRALS 2(Norfolk Scope – Norfolk, VA)

Grant Besse scored twice, Andrew Cherniwchan registered three points and the South Carolina Stingrays piled up 41 shots on goal in a 5-2 win over the Norfolk Admirals on Friday night at the Norfolk Scope. Cherniwchan’s shorthanded goal got the scoring started before he added two assists to lead the way on the scoresheet, while Besse also posted seven shots on goal and forward Jonathan Charbonneau picked up two assists as well which was part of five unanswered Stingrays tallies during the second and third period. 

SATURDAY: NORFOLK ADMIRALS 5, SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 3(Norfolk Scope – Norfolk, VA)Connor Hurley’s goal broke a late deadlock in the final minutes of the game and gave the Norfolk Admirals a 5-3 win over the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope. Matt Pohlkamp, Christian Horn and Andrew Cherniwchan each scored goals for the Rays in the contest, while goaltender Parker Milner made the start and stopped 24 shots.THIS WEEKFriday, November 2 – at Allen Americans, 8:05 p.m. (Allen Events Center)Saturday, November 3 – at Allen Americans, 8:05 p.m. (Allen Events Center)STINGRAYS LEADERSGoals: 5 – Grant BesseAssists: 6 – Davison, Besse, Charbonneau, Leach, McKernanPoints: 11 – Grant BessePlus/Minus: Plus-7 – Kevin McKernanPenalty Minutes: 22 – Marcus PerrierShots On Goal: 44 – Grant BesseWins: 3 – Parker MilnerGoals Against Average: 3.03 – Adam MorrisonSave Percentage: 0.885 – Adam MorrisonBESSE LEADING RAYS’ THRIVING ATTACKForward Grant Besse has been the catalyst to the Stingrays’ top notch offensive numbers early on this season. The second-year attacker is tied for fifth in ECHL scoring with 11 points (5g, 6a) in his first eight games. His four power play points (2g, 2a) are also the most of anyone on South Carolina, and he is leading the league with 44 shots on goal. The Plymouth, Minn. native returned to haunt his former team in Norfolk last week and posted four points (2g, 2a) in the three-game series.

CHERNING OUT OFFENSEForward Andrew Cherniwchan had a big week in Norfolk and is now on a 5-game point streak after a 5-point week with two goals and three assists in the three games. Cherniwchan totaled 14 shots on goal in the three contests and scored his second shorthanded tally of the season on Friday. The veteran attacker is second on the Stingrays in scoring this season with nine points (4g, 5a).

MCKERNAN IMPRESSING EARLY IN THE SEASONRookie defenseman Kevin McKernan has eight points (2g, 6a) in eight games and is tied for the most points by an ECHL defender this season. The Millbury, Mass. native is currently on a 4-game point scoring streak with one assist in each of his last four contests and has posted points in seven of the team's eight games this year. McKernan also leads all defensemen in shooting percentage, scoring twice on just five shots on net this season and is second among blueliners with a +7 rating.Single-game tickets for all games during the 2018-19 season are on sale now at the North Charleston Coliseum Box Office and ticketmaster.com.

Groups of 10 or more feature discounted pricing and great benefits! For more information or to place an order call the Stingrays front office at 843-744-2248 or stop by 3300 W. Montague Ave. Suite A-200 during business hours.