NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Corey Trivino scored twice to help lead the Florida Everblades to 5-4 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum Saturday evening. With the win, the Everblades (8-2-0-1, 17 pts) reclaim the top spot in the East Division following Saturday’s play.
The first period was a roller coast ride of momentum with both teams benefiting. The Stingrays struck first just 1:34 into the game as Joe Devin beat the Everblades defense and charged in on goal. Devin slipped a backhand shot through the five-hole of Everblades goaltender Daniel Altshuller to give the Rays the 1-0 lead on their first shot of the game.
South Carolina added its second goal just three minutes later when Brandon Gracel finished off a shorthanded scoring chance with a wrist shot that beat Altshuller to put the score at 2-0 in favor of the Rays.
Despite the early deficit, the Everblades with help from Corey Trivino got back on track. Trivino mirrored the Stingrays success with scoring shorthanded goals, by scoring one of his own at 9:15 of the period. Trivino carried the puck to the crease and slipped a backhanded past netminder Jeff Jakaitis for the goal.
Trivino continued his hot streak against South Carolina scoring his second goal of the game five minutes later. Cameron Burt centered a feed to wide open Trivino in the slot who flipped a shot past Jakaitis to tie the game at two.
Florida grabbed the lead and added to it on back-to-back goals from Alex Lavoie and Jess Costello just 24 seconds apart in the second period. Lavoie scored on a wrist shot from the right wing circle, while Costello caught a saucer pass in front and slipped smooth backhand shot through the five-hole of Jakaitis to give the ‘Blades a 4-2 lead. The goal was Costello’s first of his professional career.
After a wraparound goal by Derek DeBlois at 9:12 of the middle frame, the ‘Blades reclaimed a two goal edge at 14:36 from Cameron Burt who ripped a shot high over the shoulder of Jakaitis down low to give Florida a 5-3 lead after two periods.
The Everblades shutdown the Rays attack in the third period, until allowing a goal by Lee Moffie with 1:08 remaining in regulation. The goal was too little too late for the Stingrays, as Florida went on to take the win 5-4.
Altshuller earns the will stopping 18 of 22 shots, while Jakaitis takes the loss in his season debut allowing five goals on 32 shots.
The Everblades close out the three-game weekend road set on Sunday in Gwinnett. Game time is set for 2:05 P.M.
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