'Blades Edge Rays 2-1; Now Tied for Division Lead

‘BLADES EDGE STINGRAYS 2-1;  NOW TIED FOR THE DIVISION LEAD

ESTERO, Fla. – .Corey Trivino’s goal with 3:01 remaining in the third period, helped lift the ‘Blades to a 2-1 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays Wednesday night at Germain Arena.  The win now puts the Everblades in a first place tie with the Gwinnett Gladiators in the South Division.

The Everblades scored first taking advantage of their first power play opportunity of the night. Danick Gauthier dropped a pass to Daniel Koger on the left wing circle. Koger wristed a shot high into the corner of the net, past the glove of Stingrays netminder Ryan Zapolski for the game’s first goal.

Less than two minutes later, South Carolina netted the equalizer.  Damon Kipp carried the puck to the top of the crease and attempted to the stuff the puck past Eveblades goaltender Pat Nagle who made the initial save.  Kipp was able to softly poke at the rebound, sending the puck gliding across the goal line past a diving Nagle.

The two teams went into the first break tied at one.

In the second period, Gauthier took off out of his own end on a breakaway chance. Gauthier wristed a shot low, but Zapoloski made a brilliant save to keep it out of the net, and maintain the 1-1 score after two periods.

In the third Florida controlled a majority of play in the offensive zone, outshooting the Stingrays 18-9 in the period.  Zapolski continued to stop all of the Everblades scoring chances throughout the period to preserve the 1-1 score for the first 17 minutes of the period.

The Everblades took advantage of a Stingrays turnover deep in their own end.  Mathieu Roy intercepted the puck in the corner, and carried the puck to the top of the crease. Roy flipped a backhanded shot on goal which was stopped off the pad of Zapolski. The rebounded bounced to left side of the crease and Corey Trivino steered the puck into the net past an outstretched Zapolski to give Florida the 2-1 edge.

Nagle was able to shut down the Rays in the final three minutes to preserve the 2-1 Florida victory.  Nagle earned the win stopping 29 of 30 shots faced. Despite a strong effort, Zapolski takes the loss allowing two goals on 40 shots faced.

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The two teams will also meet again at Germain Arena on Saturday beginning at 7:00 p.m. The McDonald’s tailgate begins at 5 p.m. featuring live music and bounce houses for the kids.  Fans can take advantage of the Saturday Family Special which includes 4-tickets, 4-hot dogs, 4-sodas for just $56.

The ‘Blades will entertain the Stingrays again on St. Patrick’s Day Sunday. Fans can receive a $10 terrace level ticket at the Capital Bank Box Office simply by wearing green to the game.

Ticket Information: The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com

Group discounts are also available, and can save fans up $8 off per ticket from the normal box office price. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825

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