Stingrays Top Blades, 3-1, in Game 4 Behind Eisele, Moore

The South Carolina Stingrays edged the Florida Everblades, 3-1, in Game 4 of the South Division Finals on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. With the win, South Carolina forced a Game 5 and kept their playoff hopes alive behind the stellar play of goaltender Seth Eisele and the clutch performance of forward Connor Moore.

Eisele made 32 saves in his first playoff start, including 15 in the third period, to secure his second career Kelly Cup Playoff win. Moore tallied two goals and an assist, while D.J. King added a goal and an assist in the victory.

Florida struck first in the game when Oliver Chau buried a loose puck in front of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead with 2:39 left in the first period. The Stingrays responded quickly, with Kyler Kupka setting up Josh Wilkins for the equalizer just 1:13 later.

South Carolina took control in the second period when Moore found the back of the net with a sharp-angle shot to give the home team a 2-1 lead. Eisele was dominant in the frame, stopping all 10 shots he faced.

The Stingrays added insurance late in the third when Moore deked past the Florida defense and fired a shot into the empty net with just 14 seconds remaining to seal the 3-1 victory. The Everblades pulled their goaltender in the final two minutes but could not generate a quality chance.

Eisele’s 32 saves were the difference in the game, as he helped South Carolina overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Moore’s two goals and assist gave him five points in four games this postseason, while King’s two-point performance boosted his totals to four in the series.

The Stingrays now head into Game 5 with a chance to even the series. The best-of-seven South Division Finals resume at the North Charleston Coliseum on Sunday.