Simpson nets first pro hat trick

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Wayne Simpson recorded his first professional hat trick Wednesday to lift the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays to a 6-5 shootout win over the Florida Everblades.

The victory clinched South Carolina's spot in the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Simpson scored three goals in a span of just over nine minutes in the third period to give the Stingrays a 5-3 lead. After Florida lit the lamp twice late in regulation, South Carolina secured the win with two goals during the shootout, including one from Simpson.

Simpson also had an assist, giving him four points on the night, a career-high at the professional level.

The 24-year-old has 21 goals and 17 assists in 62 games this season.

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