Harris Scores in 2OT to Claim Game 5

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Brant Harris scored at 1:20 into the second overtime to lift the Florida Everblades to a 5-4 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 5 of the East Division Finals at the North Charleston Coliseum Friday Evening.  South  Carolina now leads the series 3-2, and the Everblades force a Game 6 on Monday at Germain Arena.

Frankie Simonelli scored the first goal on the game on a one-timed drive from the point that beat Florida goaltender Allen York for the tally.

Florida tied the game at one later in the first, when Corey Trivino gloved down the puck at the top of the crease and placed it on the ice in front of him.  Trivino then rattled a shot that beat Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis for the tying goal.

Just 13 seconds later, South Carolina reclaimed the lead when Caleb Herbert carried the puck into the slot and dropped it back for Patrick Gaul.  Gaul fell to his knees, but was able to get off a shot at close range that slipped past York for the goal.

York took an incidental hit and was shaken up before the end of the first, and was unable to continue play at the start of the second.  Daniel Altshuller came in relief for York and stopped all eight shots faced in the middle frame while his teammates built a lead.

Gleason Fournier evened the score at two in the opening minutes of the period on a one-timer from the point that clipped past the glove of Jakaitis.

Florida grabbed the lead at 6:54 of the period when Brant Harris shoved in a rebound from a Jordan Henry shot past Jakaitis to put the ‘Blades ahead 3-2.

The Everblades extended their lead to 4-2 when Mike Cornell’s shot from right wing circle clipped off the glove of Jakaitis and into the net.   Florida took the 4-2 advantage into the second break.

The Stingrays assembled a third period rally that was started on Wayne Simpson’s rebound goal at 1:29 of the final stanza of regulation.

The Stingrays tied the game on the power play.  Michal Cajkovsky blistered a shot from the point the ripped past Altshuller to put the game at 4-4 and eventually force overtime.

South Carolina controlled a majority of the first overtime, outshooting the ‘Blades 13-7.  However, Florida received a late power play chance and nearly sealed the game in the final second.  After a faceoff win, the puck deflected in front to a wide open Harris on the backside of the crease.  Harris aimed the puck at the open net but it clipped off the stick of a diving Jakaitis to propel the puck wide to at the horn.

In the second overtime, Harris found redemption.  The puck bounced off the corner boards directly to Harris in the slot who slid a shot low on the ice that slid through the five-hole of Jakaitis to seal the 5-4 win in double overtime.

Altshuller earned the win stopping 30 of 32 shots, while Jakaitis takes the loss allowing five goals on 46 shots.

The two teams will meet at Germain Arena for Game 6 on Monday. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster and at the Century Link Prism Box Office.

Fan may listen online at www.theislandfm.net 

2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs – East Division Finals,  Florida Everblades vs. South Carolina Stingrays (South Carolina leads 3-1)

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 - 2 at S. Carolina - 3 Game 4:  Wed., May 6, Florida - 2 at S. Carolina - 1 (3OT)Game 5:  Fri., May 8, Florida - 5 at S. Carolina - 4 (2OT)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 

Everblades 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.