Everblades Stung By Late Rays Goal

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL— The South Carolina Stingrays rallied from a 2-0 third period deficit defeat the Florida Everblades 3-2 Saturday night at Germain Arena.

Winners of their last five, the Everblades looked to extend their streak to six on Saturday night in the third game of the series against the South Carolina Stingrays. Anthony Peters got the nod for the Blades, starting in his seventh consecutive game, while Parker Milner manned the crease for the Stingrays for the third time in as many nights.

In the first period of play both the Blades and Stingrays exchanged chances. While the Stingrays had two power plays, Anthony Peters was outstanding for the Blades, saving everything fired his way. In the Stingrays second chance on the man advantage Peters was able to make a sprawling save to keep the Stingrays from stuffing in the puck right in front of the net keeping it tied at zero. The teams would head to the first intermission tied at zero.

Florida matched its shot total of eight before the halfway point of the second period, generating multiple offensive chances, keeping the Stingrays on edge. Kirkpatrick was robbed on a cross crease attempt set up by Harris about seven minutes into the period when Milner was able to extend his pad out to the post keeping the game tied.

Akim Aliu was able to get the Blades on the board first breaking the scoreless tie, after drawing a penalty, taking a high stick from Rob Flick. On the ensuing power play, Aliu blasted a slap shot from the point through traffic to tickle the twine for his second power play goal in back to back games.

Matt Berry would extend the lead with a mere nine seconds left in the period, with a forehand fake to his backhand roofing it on Milner’s blocker side with the primary assist going to Aliu who set him up beautifully on the breakaway all the way from the he Blades end of the ice.

Colton Saucerman on the power play would get the Stingrays on the board a little under seven minutes into the third period, firing a shot from the point making it a 2-1 game.

Patrick Gaul made it a tie game with 8:57 left in the third, wristing a shot past Peters on a rebound off a Saucerman slap shot off the faceoff.

About fifty seconds later, the Stingrays believed they took their first lead, only for the goal to be called off because of a clear goaltender interference.

Tanski at the end of a power play would one time shot by Peters with 2:53 left in the period to give the Stingrays a one goal advantage late in the game.

The Blades would get multiple chances within the last minute with Peters pulled and then a late power play with fifteen seconds left in the game.  Milner took the onslaught saving every shot fired his way, thus snapping the Blades win streak at five games, and giving the Stingrays a 3-2 victory and tying the season series at three games apiece.

BOX SCORE

The Everblades close out their seven-game home stand next Friday against Orlando.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday,  January 20 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. – Americana Night, present by Thompson Family Law!  Kids eat FREE in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

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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.com2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available!  Full and flexible partial season ticket plans are currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule.

Special Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive an Everblades jersey t-shirt and a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.

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

This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

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