Glens Falls NY - The Adirondack Thunder fell to the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series by a score of 6-0. The Stingrays were led by a shut out performance from Mark Dekanich in net, who made 30 saves, and Joe Devin who registered three points (2-1-3) in the win.
South Carolina opened the scoring exactly a minute into the game. The visitors gained control in the offensive zone behind the net, Austin Fyten passed to Caleb Herbert who fired past Adirondack goaltender Ken Appleby from the right-hand faceoff circle for his sixth goal of the playoffs. The play marked the fifth assist of the postseason for Fyten while Colton Sauceman picked up the secondary assist, his fourth of the playoffs.
The Stingrays struck again with five minutes remaining in the opening period as Kelly Zajac collected a Derek DeBlois’ rebound that went over the net and weaved through the defense before he shot bar down over the blocker hand of Appleby. The goal, the second of the postseason for Zajac, was assisted on by Deblois, and Joe Devin, the fifth assist of the playoffs for DeBlois.
South Carolina pushed their lead to three a little over a minute into the second period on a breakaway goal from Devin. DeBlois forced a turnover in the neutral zone and quickly passed to Devin, who skated down the left flank uncontested, cut across towards the net and beat Appleby to the left post in the process. The tally was the sixth postseason goal for Devin while DeBlois collected his second helper of the evening.
The visitors struck again with 7:31 to go in the middle period when Colton Saucerman lit the lamp on a one-timer from the top of the faceoff circle. Saucerman took a pass from Spencer Humphries and blasted it under Appleby’s blocker for his first goal of the playoffs. Saucerman netted his first goal of the postseason, while Humphries picked up his first assist. Caleb Herbert added the secondary assist on the play, his fourth of the playoffs and second point of the night.
The Stingrays added their fifth goal of the night with 2:30 to play in the second period. Stephan Vigier found a rebound right outside the crease and buried it for his second goal this postseason. Zajac and Humphries collected the assists on the play, their seventh and second respectively of the playoffs, giving both a multi-point game.
With the Thunder pressing offensively for a goal early in the third, South Carolina once again took advantage as they turned a 2-on-1 rush into their sixth goal of the night. Devin skated the puck from his own end down the left wing and fired past new Adirondack goaltender Drew Fielding for his second goal of the night. Nick D’Agostino collected the lone assist on the play, his first point of the night and his third of the postseason.
The best-of seven series is now tied at two games apiece. The pivotal Game 5 will take place Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center before the series shifts back to South Carolina for Game 6 on Tuesday and if necessary Game 7 on Wednesday.
All 2015-16 full and partial season ticket holders and 2016-17 full season ticket holders can get tickets to Round 2 of the playoffs at $14 per game, not including sales tax or facility fee. Any 2015-16 or 2016-17 full season ticket holders should visit the Thunder front office (playoff extended hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) or call 518-480-3355 x1 to reserve their playoff location. Group tickets are also on sale now at the $14 per game rate. Any group can get tickets for all three Round Two games by visiting the Thunder front office or by calling 518-480-3355 x1. The Thunder front office will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and the Glens Falls Civic Center Box Office will reopen on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.