Stingrays fall in overtime

Estero, FLa. — The South Carolina Stingrays wrapped up the regular season series against the Florida Everblades with a 4-3 overtime loss Sunday at Germain Arena.

The Stingrays (35-25-5-3), who next play Friday at the North Charleston Coliseum on Hall of Fame Night, finished the season series against the Everblades (34-21-4-7) with a 6-4-1-0 record.

The Everblades’ Alex Hutchings grabbed the game’s first goal 17:08 into the opening period by tapping a backdoor pass from forward Mathieu Roy past Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis, who had 21 saves on 25 shots.

Mike Ratchuk put the Everblades up 2-0 at 9:56 of the second period, capitalizing on a turnover and burying his second goal of the season.

With nine seconds remaining in the frame, Stingrays forward Chris Langkow cut the lead in half, deflecting a shot from defenseman Ryan McGinnis under the glove of netminder Jesse Deckert, who had 19 saves on 22 shots. Forward Patrick Gaul added the second assist.

Stingrays defenseman Scooter Vaughan tied the contest on a power play early in the third period, lifting a shot over the glove of Deckert from the right-wing point at 2:44. Forwards Tyler Johnson and Jay Silvia recorded assists.

Roy reclaimed the lead for the Everblades at 12:44, but the Stingrays forced overtime with a game-tying tally from former Everblade Ryan McGinnis at 16:00 with help from Silvia and forward Justin Courtnall.

In overtime, Ratchuck netted his second goal 1:02 into the session to take the victory.