Stingrays goalie Ryan Zapolski called up to AHL

South Carolina Stingrays goalie Ryan Zapolski has been called up to the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Zapolski, 26, leads the ECHL with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage in 14 appearances this season and stands fourth among league goaltenders with 10 wins. The Stingrays are on a season-high six-game winning streak due in large part to Zapolski’s play.

“Ryan has been great for us,” said Stingrays coach Spencer Carbery. “He’s not the flashiest goalie out there, but he always seems to be in good position to make the save. He’s been a huge part of our recent turnaround. I’m really happy for Ryan because no one deserve it more than he does. Because he’s not under contract with an AHL or NHL team, he’s had to be resilient during his pro career and fight through some adversity. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Since joining the Stingrays on Nov. 9, the Erie, Penn., native is 8-4-0 with a 1.49 GAA, .948 save percentage and is 6-0-0 in his last six appearances. Zapolski, who was named the ECHL Goalie of the Week last week, started the 2012-13 season with the Gwinnet Gladiators earning a 2-0-0 record, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

Zapolski played for three different teams – Kalamazoo, Toledo and Gwinnett – during this rookie campaign a season ago. He went 8-4-1 with a 2.37 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Prior to turning pro, Zapolski skated four seasons at Mercyhurst College dressing in 109 games going 48-43-11 with eight shutouts, a 2.77 goals-against average and a save percentage of .920.

Carbery said he is hoping to sign a new goalie for tonight’s game with Greenville (7:05 p.m.) at the North Charleston Coliseum.