1. Home
  2. News
  3. STINGRAYS TOP SOLAR BEARS 5-3 TO TAKE GAME ONE OF KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS

STINGRAYS TOP SOLAR BEARS 5-3 TO TAKE GAME ONE OF KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS

Friday, April 18th
STINGRAYS TOP SOLAR BEARS 5-3 TO TAKE GAME ONE OF KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC. - The Stingrays topped the Orlando Solar Bears 5-3 in front of 5,256 fans to take game one of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Ryan Hofer (2), Connor Moore, Jayden Lee, and Charlie Combs scored for the Stingrays, while goaltender Garin Bjorklund stopped 19 of 22 shots in the victory. 

BOX SCORE

The Stingrays took an early lead in the first period with a goal from Moore set up by Tyler Weiss. Weiss beat his defender in the left-wing corner before sliding the puck to Moore. Moore received the pass and chipped the puck into the top corner past Orlando goaltender Jon Gillies. 

Lee doubled the Stingray lead 2:45 into the second period. Alexander Suzdalev brought the puck into the zone, and his shot on goal went just wide, giving Lee the chance for a wrap-around. Lee buried the opportunity to make it 2-0 Stingrays.

A power-play goal for Aaron Luchuk put the Solar Bears on the board midway through the second period. Luchuk shot on Bjorklund that went wide and followed up his rebound to go blocker side, making it 2-1. 

Less than two minutes later, Hofer delivered a highlight reel goal to restore South Carolina’s two-goal lead. Hofer toe dragged around his defender and found the top right corner to make it 3-1 Stingrays

Jack Adams cut into the Stingray lead with a redirect in front of Bjorklund on a shot from Kris Myllari. Anthony Bardaro tied the game at three 31 seconds later when he buried a wrist shot from the left-wing circle

South Carolina needed a response, and Combs regained the Stingray advantage 46 seconds later. Micah Miller took the shot on goal as Combs rushed the net and tipped the puck past Gillies. 

Hofer added another tally seven minutes later when he tapped in a cross-ice feed off the rush from Erik Middendorf to make it 5-3. That final score held, and the Stingrays took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Norfolk Admirals
South Carolina Stingrays
Saturday, October 18th
Norfolk Admirals @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
6:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Norfolk Admirals
NOR Norfolk Admirals
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Wednesday, October 29th
Orlando Solar Bears @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Sunday, November 9th
Orlando Solar Bears @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
3:05 PM EST
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum

Latest News

More News
FORMER STINGRAYS DEFENSEMEN JON MCDONALD AND ANDREW PERROTT SERVING AS KEY CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE HERSHEY BEARS IN THE AHL PLAYOFFS
FORMER STINGRAYS DEFENSEMEN JON MCDONALD AND ANDREW PERROTT SERVING AS KEY CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE HERSHEY BEARS IN THE AHL PLAYOFFS
STINGRAYS ANNOUNCE 2025-26 SCHEDULE
STINGRAYS ANNOUNCE 2025-26 SCHEDULE
GOALTENDERS GARIN BJORKLUND AND SETH EISELE JOIN HERSHEY BEARS
GOALTENDERS GARIN BJORKLUND AND SETH EISELE JOIN HERSHEY BEARS

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!