Everblades Stung by Rays with Late Goal

Written by Keaton Hanley

ESTERO, FL – Joey Leach scored twice, while Parker Milner made 25 saves to lead the South Carolina Stingrays to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Everblades Wednesday night at Germain Arena.  The Everblades 12-game unbeaten streak comes to an end, and the loss was the first in regulation by the Everblades to a South Division opponent in regulation.

BOX SCORE

At the midway point of the first period Joey Leach opened up the scoring for the Stingrays. Upon the Stingrays entering the zone, the puck found its way to the point and Leach put a shot on net using a screen in front of Booth. The puck snuck past Booth’s glove hand for the first goal of the game.

With just 15 seconds left in the opening period, a shot came from the point off the stick of Frankie Simonelli that was stopped by Booth.  However, the rebound bounced directly to the stick of Stingrays captain Joe Devin at the left side of the net, and he tapped it in to give the Stingrays a 2-0 lead at the end of the first.

After an onslaught of offensive pressure to begin the second period, it felt like a matter of time before the ‘Blades found the back of the net. The Everblades were able to do just that as they entered the Stingrays zone on a three-man rush and Joe Cox dropped a pass to Steven Lorentz just outside the slot. Lorentz took the puck through the left side circle down low and wired a wrister past Milner up high for Florida’s first goal of the game.

Despite the ‘Blades buzzing in the Stingrays zone for majority of the period, the goal by Lorentz would be the only one, and the game entered the second intermission with Florida trailing 2-1.

The Everblades tied the game at 7:11 of the third thanks to a goal from red hot Justin Kea, who scored for the third time in as many games. After a scramble in front of the South Carolina net, the puck found its way to the top of the left circle where Kea was primed and ready to deliver a heat seeking missile top shelf right above Milner’s glove and into the back of the net for the tying tally.

The Stingrays regained the lead at 13:01 when the ‘Blades turned the puck over while attempting to clear their zone. Patrick Megannety took a shot from the point that loudly pinged off the cross bar and down into the blue paint, but Patrick Gaul was able to get a stick in behind Booth to tap it in.

In the closing minutes of regulation, the Blades were able to chip the puck into the Stingrays end off the draw and pull Booth for the extra man, but Leach was able to get a handle on the puck behind the net and send it down the ice for his second of the night and cap off a 4-2 victory for the Stingrays.

Parker Milner earned the win allowing two goals on 27 shots, while Callum Booth was handed just his second regulation loss of the season letting up three goals on 21 shots.

The two teams will meet again this Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at Germain Arena. Promotional details listed below.Upcoming Home GamesFriday,  December 15, vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.  Kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree.

Saturday,  December 16, vs. South Carolina, 7:00 p.m.  Star Wars Night! The first 1,000 fans receive a FREE lightsaber.  Star Wars characters will be in the concourse and available for photos.  Santa will also be in attendance!

Ticket Information

Purchase Single Game Tickets at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online via Ticketmaster by CLICKING HERE

2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  Flexible partial plans are available. These packages will best fit your schedule and budget!  To view pricing and benefits of all available ticket packages CLICK HERE

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2017-18 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage!

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price!  Group tickets are available for all home games. Fundraising opportunities are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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