SAVANNAH, GA – The South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Savannah Ghost Pirates 5-3 on Friday night. Tyson Empey scored twice, and Garin Bjorklund stopped 33 of 37 shots in the victory.
The Ghost Pirates struck first on their first shot of the game on a wrist shot by Alex Swetlikoff from the right circle.
Austin Magera tied the game less than a minute later when he knocked in a centering feed from Jonny Evans. The goal was Magera’s team-leading 19th of the season.
The Ghost Pirates retook the lead when Simon Pinard buried a one-timer from the right circle. They extended their lead to 3-1 when Jordan Kaplan tallied his eighth goal of the season on a nice move off the rush.
The Stingrays finished the first period strong with a late goal by Empey, who knocked in a loose puck to pull the Stingrays within one.
Empey tallied the equalizer 11:32 into the second period. He then set up Ryan Leibold for the go-ahead goal when he sent the puck to the slot, allowing Leibold to knock in his eighth goal of the season.
15:47 into the middle frame, Jackson Leppard extended the South Carolina lead to 5-3 when he one-timed a feed from Evans for his tenth goal of the season.
12:40 into the third period, Leppard returned the favor by setting up Evans to make it 6-3.
Logan Drevitch scored with less than four minutes left to make it 6-4, but Jack Adams tallied an empty net goal to make it a 7-4 final.
The Stingrays face the Ghost Pirates again this Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 6:05 pm.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers