Everblades Complete Impressive 4-3 Comeback Win Over Stingrays

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – John McCarron netted a hat trick while Stephen MacAulay scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period to lead the Florida Everblades (39-15-2-3, 83 pts) to a 4-3 come from behind victory over the South Carolina Stingrays (32-26-2-1, 67 pts) Sunday afternoon at the North Charleston Coliseum. The result extends the Everblades lead atop of the South Division to eight points.

Picking up where they left off last night, scuffles, hard hits and intense hockey reigned supreme during the early part of the first period. Finally breaking the deadlock midway through the frame, South Carolina jumped out to a 1-0 lead when John Parker cashed in on a power play breakaway attempt.

Parker broke in behind the dfense and headed towards the front of the Everblades goal. Parker deked to the backhand and flipped his shot right off of the goal post. The puck took a Stingrays bounce and headed right behind Everblades goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and into the net.

Less than two minutes later, South Carolina added their second power play goal of the contest on another chance from point blank range. Cycling the puck around in the Everblades zone, Steven McParland received a centering feed right out in front of goal from Andrew Cherniwchan. Wasting no time, McParland buried the puck past Nedeljkovic and into the back of the net.

In the second period, hostilities once again carried over with a barrage of penalties and scrums ensuing.  However, despite opportunities, Florida could not find a way to break the momentum of the Stingrays.

South Carolina took a commanding 3-0 lead midway through the second period. Scoring their third power play goal of the game, the Stingrays used a total team effort to add to their lead. Cycling the puck around, Olivier Archambault eventually came up with the puck near the circle. Firing a quick shot on goal, Archambault sent his shot right under the pad of Nedeljkovic and into the net.

The Everblades looked to build some momentum of their own and get back into this contest. The ‘Blades looked to have been denied again when Stingrays goaltender Parker Milner made two great saves from point blank range. However, on the third chance opportunity, John McCarron took advantage of his point blank chance and buried his shot into the back of the net.

The ‘Blades needed less than two minutes to score their second goal of the game off another rebound chance right in front of goal. Moving quickly into the attacking zone, Curt Gogol fired a quick shot towards goal. Bouncing off Parker Milner, the puck headed right to the stick of John McCarron who buried his second goal of the period to make the score 3-2.

John McCarron needed just 51-seconds of the third period to not only tie the game up at 3-3 but also to complete his hat trick. On the power play, Florida began to push their way into the attacking zone.  McCarron blasted a laser beam shot cleanly past Parker Milner and into the top corner of the net.

The Everblades completed the comeback by scoring their third power play goal of the game. With a five-on-three attempt, the ‘Blades held possession down in the attacking zone. Cycling the puck around, Stephen MacAulay would eventually come up with a clear view of goal and waste no time blasting his shot into the net.

Looking for a way to tie the game late in the third period, South Carolina went into full attack mode. However, the Everblades would not be denied in this contest. Giving South Carolina little time to pull the goaltender, the Everblades would hold on and secure an extremely impressive 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

Alex Nedeljkovic played extremely well late in the game for the Everblades, earning the win after stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced. Parker Milner takes the loss in goal for the Stingrays after allowing four goals on 35 shots.  The two teams combined for six power play goals in the contest.

BOX SCORE

The Everblades finish off their four game road trip on Tuesday night when they do battle against the rival Atlanta Gladiators at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can catch the game broadcast on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5-FM.104.3-FM, 770-AM or by CLICKING HERE

 Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, March 17 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. – 90's Night!  We are throwing it back to the 1990's, and fans are welcome to dress up in their 90's attire or as their favorite 90's character.   The first 500 fans will receive thunder sticks courtesy of Chuck-E-Cheese!

Saturday, March 18 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m. – Guns N Hoses night! Join us at 4:30 p.m. as our local fire fighters and police will battle it out on the ice! The Everblades will wear special police and fire fighter themed jerseys (pictured below) which will be auctioned off following the game to benefit the 4 The Kids Foundation.  A ticket to the Everblades game will get you in to the police and fire fighters game for free!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.comSpecial 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.  We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule.

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###