'Blades Rally Falls Short as Stingrays Take 2-0 Series Lead

ESTERO, FL – Andrew Rowe scored twice while Jeff Jakaitis made 38 saves to lead the South Carolina Stingrays to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the East Division Finals Saturday night at Germain Arena.  The Stingrays now take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Stingrays grabbed a lead in the first period on the power play.  Michael Cajkovsky delivered a shot that was stopped by Florida goaltender Daniel Altshuller, but the rebound was shoved into the net by Andrew Rowe at the top of the crease to give the Rays the 1-0 lead.

In the second, Tim Spencer charged in on goal on a breakaway chance..  Spencer flipped a shot that was stopped by Altshuller, and the puck bounced back to Spencer for a second chance which was also stopped by Altshuller on the right pad.  However, the rebound bounced to Patrick Gaul who crashed the net and scored on the third chance opportunity to put the score at 2-0 after 40 minutes.

Andrew Rowe scored again just six minutes into the third period to extend the Stingrays lead to 3-0.

The Everblades got going a minute later when a bouncing puck skipped off the body of Matt Marquardt in front and redirected into the net past netminder Jeff Jakaitis.

The Everblades fed off the momentum from the goal, and pulled within one when Mike Little one-timed a shot past Jakaitis on the power play to put the score at 3-2.

Following the goals, Florida continued its assault, but Jakaitis turned aside all the shots thrown his way, which set up a goal by Joe Devin at 14:58.   Devin gloved down a rebound in the slot and set it to his forehand side.  Devin delivered a shot that clipped into the Everblades net to quell the Florida momentum and extend the lead back to two.Devin extended his goal scoring streak to five games.

The two-goal edge would hold, and South Carolina held on the for the 4-2 win.

Jakaitis earned the win stopping 38 of 40 shots, while Altshuller takes the loss allowing four goals on 29 shots.

The two teams will get together for Game 3 at the North Charleston Coliseum on Tuesday (May 5). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs – East Division Finals,  Florida Everblades vs. South Carolina Stingrays (South Carolina leads 2-0)

Game 1: Friday, May 1, S. Carolina - 6  at Florida - 3  Game 2:  Saturday, May 2, S. Carolina - 4  at Florida - 2Game 3:  Tues., May 5, Florida at S. Carolina, North Charleston Coliseum, 7:05 p.m.Game 4:  Wed., May 6, Florida at S. Carolina, North Charleston Coliseum, 7:05 p.m.Game 5:  Fri., May 8, Florida at S. Carolina, North Charleston Coliseum, 7:05 p.m. **Game 6:  Monday, May 11, S. Carolina at Florida, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m.**Game 7:  Tuesday, May 12 , S. Carolina at Florida, Germain Arena, 7:30 p.m. **** If Necessary 

Game Watching Parties Set for Games 3 & 4! 

Watch the Everblades on the road! Breakaway Sports Pub located at Germain Arena will be hosting a game watching party for Games 3 & 4 of the upcoming series against South Carolina.

You can join fellow fans and support the team while they battle the Stingrays on the road at the North Charleston Coliseum.  Game 3 is set for Tuesday, May 5 a 7:05 p.m. Game 4 is slated for Wednesday, May 6 at 7:05 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase.   Breakaway will open at 6:00 p.m. for each game!   For more information call 239-948-7825.

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Prism Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

For more information call  239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades Main Office located at Germain Arena, Monday—Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.