Rays' Ford played tough during unbeaten streak

Twenty seconds into the second period of Wednesday night's game, South Carolina Stingrays goalie Todd Ford realized it was going to be one of those nights.

Already trailing by three goals to Charlotte, Kenny Roche scored just 19 seconds into the second period to give the Checkers a 4-0 advantage and the rout was on.

The Stingrays eventually lost the game, 7-0, easily their largest margin of defeat all season. Afterward, the Stingrays got dressed and silently boarded the team bus for their three-hour drive back to the Lowcountry.

"When it gets, 3-0 or 4-0, you're still in their battling hoping maybe you can get a bounce and get back into the game," Ford said. "When it's 5-0, your focus is just on stopping the next shot and going from there. It's kind of a snowball effect. I didn't play very well. I didn't help the guys out like I should have. It stinks while you're in the moment, but once the game's over, you forget about it. There's nothing you can do about it and dwelling on it is only going to make it worse."

It had been three weeks since the Stingrays had tasted a regulation defeat. Since their 3-2 loss to Florida back on Oct. 28, the Stingrays had not been beaten, going 7-0-2 over their last nine games.

A major reason for the Stingrays' unbeaten streak was the play of Ford, who had gone 5-0 and had given up a total of 11 goals over that span.

"No question Todd was a huge part of that run," said Stingrays head coach Cail MacLean. "I think as a team we got better defensively, but Todd and Braden (Holtby) improved as well. Todd was playing lights out there for a while and we wanted to ride him as long as we could."

MacLean has seen first hand just how good Ford can be.

Playing for the Columbia Inferno during the 2008 Kelly Cup playoffs, Ford nearly single-handedly beat the heavily-favored Stingrays in their best-of-five South Division final series.

The 6-4, 175-pound Calgary, Alberta, native was instrumental in upsetting top-seeded Texas earlier in the playoffs as he appeared in all 13 games for Columbia, posting an 8-4-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in the postseason.

"I knew Todd was a great goal tender long before that playoff series," MacLean said. "I think that just solidified Todd's reputation around the league as being a No. 1 starter."

Ford admitted it was a bit strange at first to be in a South Carolina uniform after playing against the Stingrays with Columbia and Pensacola.

"Playing against the Stingrays you develop a healthy respect for the guys and the organization," Ford said. "The team's success speaks for itself. You never know what's going to happen. Two years ago, there's no way you could have convinced me that I'd be playing for the Stingrays, but I'm glad I'm here now."

Ford got off to a slow start this season, going 1-1-1 and giving up 12 goals in his first three starts. But overall Ford has been pleased with his play.

"I know I didn't play well against Charlotte on Wednesday night, but other than one other start, I think it's been a great season so far," Ford. "I've had a couple of speed bumps, but I like the way I've played for the most part."

Ford said the easiest way to forget about Wednesday night is to beat Gwinnett tonight.

"Wednesday night isn't indicative of the way I can play or the guys in front of me," Ford said. "I just think it was one of those games you're going to have when you play a 72-game schedule. You've got to have a short memory. The best way to forget about Wednesday is get a win against Gwinnett."