Game Story

Worcester, MA — The Worcester Railers suffered an 8-1 loss to the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday night in the second matchup between the teams this week.

Michael Bullion made his sixth start of the season, facing 20 shots and allowing four goals before being pulled just 13 seconds into the second period. He was replaced by Henrik Tikkanen, who also gave up four goals on 21 shots. On the other side, Seth Eisele secured his fourth win of the season, conceding just one goal on 17 shots from Worcester. Jordan Kaplan notched his first goal of the season, preventing Worcester from being shut out at home. Alexander Suzdalev, Micah Miller, Connor Moore, Kyler Kupka, Grant Cruikshank, Jamie Engelbert, and Justin Nachbaur all found the back of the net for South Carolina. Kyler Kupka led the way with two goals and a +3 rating.

On Wednesday morning, it was a close game up until the closing 10 minutes of the third period. South Carolina led in the first period, Jack Randl tied the game back up in the opening four minutes of the second period, then lost control as Erik Middendorf regained the lead for South Carolina. That game was settled after Michael Bullion was pulled for the extra attacker twice. Jamie Engelbert scored the first empty net goal at 18:02 im the third period, then Gran Cruikshank scored the second 43 seconds later to settle the game.

On Friday, the team once again found themselves trailing against the Stingrays. Despite playing 120 minutes across both games, the Railers never managed to hold a lead. Despite many penalties being ignored by Tyler Hascall, the Railers were not at the same level of play as the Stingrays. They were consistently outshot and despite a goal late in the first period, looked like a team that would have otherwise been shutout at home. The Railers had just one power play, some quick math shows they had just 25 seconds of the man advantage before they were called for a Too Many Men penalty in the second period.

Alexander Suzdalev put the Stingrays up 1-0, shortly after a faceoff win and a couple quick passes, he put the puck in the net behind Michael Bullion through some traffic, it went off the crossbar and into the net at 6:19. Micah Miller scored on a one-timer on the game’s first power play at 16:18. The penalty had Connor Welsh in the box for Worcester, a surprise call for most at the DCU Center after several no-calls from referee Tyler Hascall earlier in the period. Connor Moore restored the Stingrays’ two-goal lead with 35 seconds left in the first period.

13 seconds into the second period, Kyler Kupka made it 4-1. Bullion was pulled and Henrik Tikkanen finished the game in net for Worcester. Unfortunately for the Railers, this did not change the pace of the game. Grant Cruikshank scored on the power play with Griffin Loughran in the box for slashing a Stringrays skater behind the previous play, Cruikshank scored five seconds into that power play to make it 5-1.

At the end of the second period, Kolby Johnson got into a scuffle at the benches with a couple of Stingrays skaters and was issued a roughing penalty, gifting the ‘Rays a power play to start the third period. Jamie Engelbert scored 50 seconds into the third period to make it 6-1. While the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul was the main event down in Texas, those who were still in the arena got theirs as Kolby Johnson fought Andrew Perrott at 9:34 in the period. It was all Johnson before Perrott brought them both down to the ice with a bearhug. Kyler Kupka scored his second of the night to make it 7-1 at 10:34. The Stingrays scored their eighth goal and their fourth power play goal of the night to finish off scoring with Justin Nachbaur getting one past Henrik Tikkanen at 13:25.

The three stars of Friday’s game were:

  1. Kyler Kupka (South Carolina) – 2 goals, +3
  2. Jayden Lee (South Carolina) – 3 assists, +2
  3. Micah Miller (South Carolina) -1 goal, 1 assist

The Railers weren’t the only North Division team in action Friday night. The Adirondack Thunder defeated the Reading Royals 3-1. The Wheeling Nailers edged out the Indy Fuel 2-1 in a shootout. The Norfolk Admirals fell 5-1 to the Toledo Walleye. With the loss, the Railers now sit in fifth place in the North Division, dropping below .500 through 11 games played.

Further up in the Islanders’ affiliation tree, the Bridgeport Islanders defeated the Hershey Bears 6-1. Christian Krygier and Justin Gill picked up assists while Jakub Skarek made 28 saves. Cam McDonald, who was called up earlier in the week was a +2 in his AHL debut.

The Railers bussed overnight to Trois-Rivières, where they’ll take on the Lions in back-to-back games this weekend. Saturday night’s puck drop is set for 7 PM.

Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 T
3 2 3 8
1 0 0 1
Shots 1 2 3 T
19 6 16 41
9 3 5 17
Score Team Time Scored by Assisted by Type
1 – 0 6:19 – 1st A. Suzdalev (2) J. McDonald, G. Cruikshank
2 – 0 16:18 – 1st M. Miller (5) J. Lee, G. Cruikshank PP
2 – 1 17:21 – 1st J. Kaplan (1) A. Repaci, G. Luce
3 – 1 19:25 – 1st C. Moore (3) C. Combs, B. Thompson
4 – 1 0:13 – 2nd K. Kupka (5) C. Combs
5 – 1 13:14 – 2nd G. Cruikshank (5) M. Miller, J. Lee PP
6 – 1 0:50 – 3rd J. Engelbert (3) J. Lee, S. Eisele PP
7 – 1 10:34 – 3rd K. Kupka (6) C. Moore, J. Davidson
8 – 1 13:25 – 3rd J. Nachbaur (1) B. Hawerchuk, C. Combs PP

Rosters

# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 34 M. Gibson 0 0 0 0 0
G 35 S. Eisele 0 1 0 0 0
F 5 A. Magera 0 0 0 2 0
D 6 J. Lee 0 3 +1 1 0
F 7 C. Combs 0 3 +2 5 2
D 9 R. Webb 0 0 0 0 0
F 10 B. Hawerchuk 0 1 -1 6 0
F 13 D. Loukus 0 0 0 2 0
F 17 J. Engelbert 1 0 -1 2 2
F 18 K. Kupka 2 0 +3 3 2
F 19 G. Cruikshank 1 2 +1 5 0
F 20 J. Nachbaur 1 0 +2 2 0
F 21 A. Suzdalev 1 0 +1 3 0
F 22 M. Miller 1 1 +1 1 0
F 23 J. Davidson 0 1 +1 0 0
D 37 J. McDonald 0 1 +2 1 0
D 44 B. Thompson 0 1 +1 1 0
F 48 E. Middendorf 0 0 0 1 0
D 58 A. Perrott 0 0 0 2 5
D 74 C. Moore 1 1 +2 4 2
Team:
Player MIN SH SVS GA SV%
35 S. Eisele (W) – 17 16 1 –
Totals: – 17 16 1 –
# Player G A +/- SH PIM
G 32 M. Bullion 0 0 0 0 0
G 39 H. Tikkanen 0 0 0 0 0
D 3 R. Verrier 0 0 0 0 0
F 10 J. Kaplan 1 0 -2 2 0
F 11 J. Randl 0 0 -3 0 2
F 12 K. Johnson 0 0 0 1 7
F 13 A. Bakanov 0 0 0 0 0
F 16 G. Loughran 0 0 0 0 6
D 17 B. Rons 0 0 -1 1 0
F 18 M. Kopperud 0 0 0 2 0
F 19 R. Piercey 0 0 0 0 0
D 22 G. Luce 0 1 -2 1 0
C 23 C. Jacobs 0 0 0 1 4
D 24 M. Klee 0 0 0 2 2
D 25 R. Dickinson 0 0 -2 1 0
D 26 C. Welsh 0 0 -1 2 2
F 29 C. Donhauser 0 0 -1 1 0
F 37 M. DeMelis 0 0 -1 1 0
F 44 A. Callin 0 0 -1 0 0
F 81 A. Repaci 0 1 -1 2 0
Team: 2
Player MIN SH SVS GJ SV%
32 M. Bullion (L) – 20 16 4 –
39 H. Tikkanen – 21 17 4 –
Totals: – 41 33 8 –

Penalties

Time Team Player Mins Infraction
15:01 – 1st C. Welsh 2 Delay of Game (63.2)
1:07 – 2nd M. Klee 2 Holding – minor (54.2)
8:08 – 2nd J. Engelbert 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
8:08 – 2nd C. Jacobs 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
13:09 – 2nd G. Loughran 2 Slashing – minor (61.2)
14:10 – 2nd C. Moore 2 Tripping – minor (57.2)
15:34 – 2nd Served by G. Loughran 2 Bench minor – Too many men (74.2)
20:00 – 2nd K. Johnson 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
7:18 – 3rd C. Combs 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
7:18 – 3rd K. Kupka 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
7:18 – 3rd C. Jacobs 2 Roughing – minor (51.2)
7:18 – 3rd G. Loughran 4 Double Minor – Roughing
9:34 – 3rd A. Perrott 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
9:34 – 3rd K. Johnson 5 Fighting – Major (46.14)
12:19 – 3rd J. Randl 2 High-sticking – minor (60.2)

Notes

  • Worcester Scratches: Cole Crowder, JD Dudek, John Muse, Lincoln Hatten, and Matias Rajaniemi.
  • South Carolina Scratches: Garin Bjorklund, Hudson Thornton, Jacob Graves, Jordan Klimek, Josh Wilkins, and Tyler Weiss.
  • Anthony Repaci was named ECHL’s player of the Week on Tuesday. He didn’t have much competition, but was not the only player last weekend with a hat trick. Brandon Hawkins totaled four goals, while Repaci had five and realistically was the only player in the league to be considered for the honor.
  • Cam McDonald recalled to Bridgeport on Thursday.
  • Henrik Tikkanen assigned from Bridgeport to Worcester on Friday.
  • The jersey raffle of the game was a game-issued 2024-25 Tukka Rask #40 jersey from Railers Fight Cancer night.
  • The Railers had the following scoring streaks:
    • Jack Randl had his point streak snapped at four games.
    • Kolby Johnson is without a point in all four games he’s played with Worcester.
    • Griffin Luce snapped his scoreless streak at four games with an assist.
    • Colin Jacobs is without a point in his last four games.
    • Cole Donhauser is without a point in his last four games.
    • Matt DeMelis is without a point in his last six games.
    • Anthony Callin is without a point in all five games he’s played in this season.
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Railers Lines

Forward Lines LW C RW
Forward Line 1 Riley Piercey #19 Matthew Kopperud #18 Griffin Loughran #16
Forward Line 2 Jack Randl #11 Jordan Kaplan #10 Anthony Repaci #81
Forward Line 3 Matt DeMelis #37 Anthony Callin #44 Cole Donhauser #29
Forward Line 4 Kolby Johnson #12 Colin Jacobs #23 Andrei Bakanov #13
Defensive Pairings LD RD
Defense Pair 1 Griffin Luce #22 Connor Welsh #26
Defense Pair 2 Ryan Verrier #3 Mason Klee #24
Defense Pair 3 Brenden Rons #17 Ryan Dickinson #25
Rotated Defensemen – –
Goalie Tandem G
Starting Goaltender Michael Bullion #32
Backup Goaltender Henrik Tikkanen #39

Opponent Lines

Forward Lines LW C RW
Forward Line 1 Alexander Suzdalev #21 Grant Cruikshank #19 Micah Miller #22
Forward Line 2 Erik Middendorf #48 Austin Magera #5 Jeremy Davidson #23
Forward Line 3 Justin Nachbaur #20 Kyler Kupka #18 Charlie Combs #7
Forward Line 4 Ben Hawerchuk #10 Jamie Engelbert #17 Dean Loukus #13
Defensive Pairings LD RD
Defense Pair 1 Blake Thompson #44 Connor Moore #74
Defense Pair 2 Jon McDonald #37 Jayden Lee #6
Defense Pair 3 Andrew Perrott #58 Reilly Webb #9
Rotated Defensemen – –
Goalie Tandem G
Starting Goaltender Seth Eisele #35
Backup Goaltender Mitchell Gibson #34

On-Ice Officials

– –
Referee Tyler Hascall (8)
Referee –
Linesman Matthew Heinen (93)
Linesman Jack McQuesten (53)

Highlights

Notable Tweets as the Game Happened


Railers Lines


Stingrays Lines


Alexander Suzdalev goal


Michah Miller goal


Jordan Kaplan goal


Connor Moore goal


Kyler Kupka goal


Grant Cruikshank

https://x.com/SCStingrays/status/1857606647864029346
Jamie Engelbert goal


Kolby Johnson vs Andrew Perott


Kyler Kupka goal


Justin Nachaur goal