Stingrays Weekly Report - November 26

Two consecutive weeks with a 2-1 record have the South Carolina Stingrays at two games over .500 with an overall record of 10-8-0-0 and just one point behind Norfolk and Florida for second place in the ECHL’s South Division. All three of the team’s contests over the past week ended in a 3-2 score while the Rays continued to stay hot on special teams. SC has now scored a power play goal in seven of their last eight outings, while successfully killing off 23 of their last 25 penalties.

This week the Rays head south for a three-game series with their division rivals, the Florida Everblades. The clubs previously met once earlier in the season on Nov. 16, a 1-0 shutout win for South Carolina in which the team used two goaltenders to hold the Everblades off the board. Stingrays’ captain Joey Leach scored the lone goal in the contest.

STINGRAYS RECORD: 10-8-0-0LAST WEEK: 2-1-0-0TUESDAY: JACKSONVILLE ICEMEN 3, SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 2(Veterans Memorial Arena – Jacksonville, FL)The South Carolina Stingrays were unable to climb out of an early hole and fell to the Jacksonville Icemen 3-2 on Tuesday night at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Defensemen Cameron Bakker and Kevin McKernan scored goals in the contest for the Stingrays, while goaltender Parker Milner was excellent in the contest and turned aside 25 shots in a losing effort.

WEDNESDAY: SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 3, ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS 2(Amway Center – Orlando, FL)Cam Askew scored his first professional goal and was named the game’s No. 1 star after it held up as the game-winner to secure a 3-2 victory for the South Carolina Stingrays Wednesday night over the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center. Forwards Tad Kozun and Grant Besse also scored in the first period for South Carolina, while goaltender Parker Milner earned the win with 28 saves.

FRIDAY: SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS 3, ATLANTA GLADIATORS 2(Infinite Energy Center – Duluth, GA)The South Carolina Stingrays held on to a late lead, killing off a major penalty to preserve a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday night at the Infinite Energy Center. Forwards Tad Kozun, Patrick Gaul and Grant Besse each scored goals, while Parker Milner picked up the win with 23 saves and defender Joey Leach added two assists.

THIS WEEKWednesday, November 28 – at Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)Friday, November 30 – at Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)Saturday, December 1 – at Florida Everblades, 7 p.m. (Hertz Arena)STINGRAYS LEADERSGoals: 12 – Grant BesseAssists: 14 – Jonathan CharbonneauPoints: 22 – Grant BessePlus/Minus: Plus-12 – Kevin McKernanPenalty Minutes: 29 – Tad KozunShots On Goal: 100 – Grant BesseWins: 5 – Parker MilnerGoals Against Average: 2.05 – Gordon DefielSave Percentage: 0.912 – Gordon DefielKOZUN ZOOMS BY THE COMPETITIONForward Tad Kozun has scored goals in back-to-back games while registering four total points in those last two outings. The Nipawin, Sask. native’s 33% shooting percentage is tied for the highest among ECHL rookies and is third out of all league skaters, scoring three goals on nine shots this year.BIG TIME BESSEForward Grant Besse scored twice on the power play for SC last week, and is now 2nd in the ECHL with 12 goals this season. He is also 8th in the overall league scoring race, with 22 points (12g, 10a) in 18 games. Besse's 100 total shots on goal are tops in the ECHL, 25 more than the next closest skater. The Plymouth, Minn. native also leads the Stingrays with four power play goals on the year.CHARBONNEAU LOOKING BEYOND HIS YEARSRookie forward Jonathan Charbonneau leads all first-year skaters with 14 assists in 18 games this season and is fourth in overall rookie scoring with 17 points (3g, 14a). The attacker has racked up six assists on the power play, which is second-best among rookies, while his 62 shots on net is third among all first-year players.FIRSTS AMONG ROOKIESForward Cam Askew and defenseman Cameron Bakker each scored their first career ECHL goals last week. First, Bakker netted the Rays’ first tally in the third period of Tuesday’s game against Jacksonville, before Askew struck in the second period the following night in Orlando. Askew’s goal turned out to be the game-winner in a 3-2 victory over the Solar Bears.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.