Stingrays Power Past Everblades

Recap Written by Robert Molnar

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC –Eight different players scored a goal while Mark Dekanich stopped 28 shots to lead the South Carolina Stingrays (24-16-3-2, 53 pts) to an 8-1 victory over the Florida Everblades (31-13-0-1, 63 pts) Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum.

The Everblades would take the early lead at the 4:16 mark of the opening period. Getting the puck near the South Carolina goal, Carter Sandlak banged his pass off the back wall with the puck coming back to the front of the net. Getting to the puck first was Gabriel Desjardins who backhanded effort beat Stingrays goaltender Mark Dekanich.

From that point, it was all South Carolina in this game as they would tie and take the lead with two quick fire goals. The tying goal came a little over two-minutes after the ‘Blades opening goal. Taking advantage of a power play, Brett Cameron fired a shot past the blocker of Everblades goaltender Rasmus Tirronen and into the back of the net. Less than a minute later, the Stingrays took the lead for good as Brendan Ellis wristed a shot through the legs of a defender into the path of David Pacan who tipped the puck through the five hole of Rasmus Tirronen.

South Carolina added to their lead late in the first period thanks to a 5-on-3 power play. Brendan Ellis fired a shot that missed the net, however the puck rebounded perfectly off the backboards and onto the stick of Stephan Vigier who quickly turned the puck into the back of the net.

The Stingrays extended their lead midway through the second period. Just as South Carolina’s fifth power play of the night was expiring, Stingrays defenseman Nick D’Agostino fired a high shot through traffic and past a screened Rasmus Tirronen.

South Carolina continued to pound the ‘Blades on the scoreboard, netting their fifth and sixth goals of the night midway through the middle frame. Breaking towards the net, Joel Devin fired a quick wrist shot past Rasmus Tirronen. Just over two minutes later Patrick Gaul added to the Stingrays lead when he picked up the puck in his own zone and went coast to coast, skating from the left wing circle to the slot and backhanding a shot into the top corner of the net.

To begin the third period, the Everblades replaced goaltender Rasmus Tirronen with Anthony Peters. However, the change in goaltender did nothing to stunt the Stingrays momentum. Two third period goals courtesy of Casey Thrush and Paul Rodrigues finished off the 8-1 beating suffered by the Everblades.

Mark Dekanich made some quality saves in goal for South Carolina, earning the win after stopping 28 of the 29-shots he faced. Rasmus Tirronen takes the loss for the Everblades, allowing six goals on 23-shots while Anthony Peters allows two goals on 10-shots in his 20-minutes of work. The Stingrays scored three power play goals in the contest, which was the most allowed by the Everblades this season.

The Florida Everblades return to Germain Arena this Wednesday night to take on instate rivals Orlando Solar Bears in the ninth meeting of the Wawa Sunshine Cup series. Promotional details listed below.  Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  Fans can also catch the game broadcast on 770 AM or online by CLICKING HERE

Upcoming Home Games

Wednesday, February 10, vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.  $2 drafts, $2 wines, $2 hot dogs all night long!  College students receive a $5 tickets with free parking when they present their college ID at Germain Arena.

Friday, February 12, vs. Elmira, 7:30 p.m.  Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

Saturday, February 13, vs. Elmira, 7:00 p.m.    Laces of Love - Bring a new pair of shoes to the game to donate to this great cause!  To purchase special fundraising tickets to the game benefiting Lace of Love, please contact Alex Reed with the Everblades at 239-948-7825, ext. 1024.

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank 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.

Partial Season Ticket Packages:  Flexible partial season ticket plans are available to help fit your budget and schedule. For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team's main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###