Stingrays drop 4th straight

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for the South Carolina Stingrays, it did.

R.J. Anderson had five points, including his first professional hat trick to lead Johnstown past South Carolina, 7-1, Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 4,155 at the North Charleston Coliseum.

The Stingrays, who have lost four straight games, dropped to 9-6-4 (22 points) but remained in first place in the ECHL's South Division. The Chiefs, who snapped a two-game losing streak, improved to 4-8-3 (11 points).

Not only did the Stingrays lose by six goals to the Chiefs, but they also lost at home to one of the worst teams in the ECHL. The Chiefs came into the game tied for the worst record in the ECHL with Victoria.

It has been a stark contrast from a week ago, when the Stingrays were coming off a nine-game unbeaten streak with the second best record in the ECHL.

Five days and four games later, however, the Stingrays have the third best winning percentage in their own division, despite being in first place.

"I think this should teach us a valuable lesson that you can't let your foot off the gas pedal at all during the season," said Stingrays head coach Cail MacLean. "Just when you think you know it all, you realize you don't and this is the result. It was a bad week for us on a number of different levels."

The Stingrays began the week with a 7-0 loss to Charlotte and ended it by getting trounced by six goals by the hapless Chiefs. In all, the Stingrays were outscored, 24-5, in their last four games.

"Our intensity level isn't where it needs to be," MacLean said. "The same seven guys are playing at a high level, but I can't play those same seven guys all the time. We have too many passengers that might think they're working hard, but are certainly not playing at a professional level right now. Everyone is fighting the game right now."

Rookie goalie Braden Holtby gave up five goals on just 13 shots and was pulled from the game midway through the second period. Holtby, who played for Hershey on Saturday night, boarded a plane early Sunday morning and just made it in time for the Stingrays afternoon game with the Chiefs.

"It's a lot to ask any goalie to fly in the morning of a game and play well, but Braden isn't your average player," MacLean said. "He's an elite player, and this is a demanding sport. It wasn't all Braden's fault. He didn't have his best game. The guys in front of him didn't give him much help either."

The Stingrays actually led the game early on as Rob Ricci redirected a Johann Kroll shot from the point to give the Stingrays 1-0 lead six minutes into the game.

But after that it was all Johnstown as they scored seven unanswered goals.

"When adversity hits, you've got two options," MacLean said. "You can split up and try to save yourself or you can come together and get through it as a team. We need to get this corrected pretty quickly."

The Stingrays start a five-game road trip Wednesday night against Gwinnett. The Stingrays' next home game will be Dec. 5 against Elmira.

First Period: 1. SC, Ricci 6 (Kroll, Scherer), 6:01. 2. J, Shields 8 (Zarb, Konkle), 9:51. 3. J, Bartlett 5 (unassisted), 10:27. 4. J, Schwab 4 (Konkle, Anderson), 12:09. Penalties: Sinkewich, J (boading), 3:57; McKenzie, J (hooking), 6:36; Carbery, SC (hooking), 8:08; Bartlett, J (hooking), 13:04; Scherer, SC (hooking), 15:50; McKenzie, J (hooking), 17:34; G. Johnson, SC (hooking), 17:53.

Second Period: 5. J, Anderson 1 (McKenzie), 2:27. 6. J, Marshall 3 (Anderson, Menei) 8:51. 7. J, Anderson 2 (Berkstesser, Couch), 18:42. Penalties: Kiser, SC (roughing), 2:59; Yeo, SC (interference), 14:37; K. Johnson, SC (cross checking), 16:45; Zarb, J (hooking), 18:19.

Third Period: 8. J, Anderson 3 (Menei, Bartlett), 3:11. Penalties: Sinkewich, J (holding), 11:14; Schultz, J (high sticking), 15:25; Fornataro, SC (slashing), 15:25.

Shots on goal: Stingrays 9-17-9-35; Johnstown: 7-11-10-28. Penalties: Stingrays 11-28; Johnstown 10-23. Power play: Stingrays 0 of 9; Johnstown 2 of 9. Goalies: Stingrays - Braden Holtby (3-2-3) 13 shots, 8 saves. Todd Ford (6-4-1) 16 shots, 14 saves. Johnstown - Kris Mayotte (2-5-2) 29 shots, 28 saves. Att: 4,155.