Rays roll past Jackals

Elmira, N.Y. — Forwards Tyler McNeely (two goals, two assists), Daniel Koger (two goals) Hunter Bishop (two assists) and Tyler Johnson (two assists) scored multi-point games and goaltender Ryan Zapolski made 39 saves to help the South Carolina Stingrays defeat the Elmira Jackals, 5-1, at First Arena on Saturday night.

Stingrays defenseman Luka Vidmar kicked off the scoring on the power play at 5:57 of the second period firing a wrist shot under the glove of Jackals (9-7-1-0) goaltender Marc Cheverie (28 saves on 33 shots) from the right-wing point. Johnson added an assist.

Koger put the Stingrays up 2-0 at 15:45 knocking in a rebound past Cheverie at the far post. McNeely and Bishop picked up assists.

Seconds later, the Jackals cut the lead in half with a tally from defenseman Kyle Bushee at 16:00.

McNeely reclaimed a two-goal lead for South Carolina (8-12-0-2) on the man advantage at 3:25 of the final frame with help from defenseman Kevin Quick and forward Matthew Pistilli.

Koger buried his second goal of the game at 6:06 from McNeely and Bishop to make it 4-1. With 22 seconds left, McNeely lifted a backhanded shot past the blocker of Cheverie for his second marker. Forwards Alexandre Beauregard and Johnson registered assists.

The Stingrays finished 2 for 3 on the power play while the Jackals went 0 for 4.

The Stingrays return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday to take on the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m.