Blades Battle Back Not Enough

ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (33-17-2-2) fell to the South Carolina Stingrays (24-19-9-3) 3-2 in overtime. In their first game in ten days, Florida struggled to get things back on track against South Carolina. 

FIRST STAR: Blake Hillman (SC) - two goals, +1, four shots

SECOND STAR: Myles Powell (FLA) - shorthanded goal, +1, four shots

THIRD STAR: Alex Debeau (SC) - 

BOX SCORE

South Carolina kicked off the scoring early in the first period. The Stingrays worked the puck around and eventually found a wide open Hillman in the slot, where he found the back of the net (6:57).

Florida knocked off some rust and began to get into a groove in the second. With Everblades forward Tommy Marchin in the sin bin, the penalty kill went to work. Florida cleared the puck to the redline and it deflected off of a Stingray into the stride of Myles Powell. The forward broke away and went five-hole on Stingray goaltender Alex Debeau to tie the game at one (8:58). 

South Carolina slowed down Florida with an early tally in the third frame. Stingray defenseman Matthew Weis fired in a shot from the point and Blades netminder Jake Hildebrand made the initial save. However, Brett Supinski buried the rebound to put the Stingrays ahead 2-1 (6:50).

With about five minutes left, Florida fought back to knot the game again. The Blades had possession deep in Stingray territory, where captain John McCarron fed Blake Winiecki in the slot for a one time shot, but was blocked by Debeau. The Stingray backstop could not recover from the initial shot, and Winiecki potted the Blades second goal of the night (14:50). 

Three periods were not enough to decide the winner of this matchup, as it went into overtime. After four minutes of play, Hillman scored the dagger for the Rays as well as his second of the game (4:00). 

Hildebrand finished the game with 27 saves on 30 shots, while Debeau saved 32 of 34 shots. 

The Blades and Stingrays meet again at Hertz Arena on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. for another 239 Friday! Enjoy 2 Premium Tickets, 2 Rum Haven Rum Buckets (Coconut Themed), AND 2 autographed programs for only $39!  Take advantage of the 239 Fridays online only offer at FloridaEverblades.com/239. Kids 12 and under eat free with purchase of an adult entree at Breakaway Sports Pub, located inside Hertz Arena. All frontline/essential workers receive a buy one, get one free ticket offer for all remaining Friday regular season home games. Find the Frontline Fridays ticket offer HERE. Friday is also Beach Night courtesy of Molly Moo’s Ice Cream, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a beach towel courtesy of Arthrex! Find tickets to Friday’s game HERE.

The weekend wraps up with a 7:00 p.m. contest between Florida and South Carolina on Saturday, May 8 at Hertz Arena. Saturday is Blackout Night! The Blades will wear specialty black jerseys, and the jersey auction proceeds will be donated to the Passion Foundation. Download the DASH Auction App to bid on the jerseys! To view the auctions that are currently live, please visit HERE. Enjoy free Live Music from TC and The Troublemakers outside Hertz Arena before the game from 5:00-7:00 p.m.! Find tickets to the game on May 8HERE.

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Become a member of the Florida Everblades family by securing a great seat location and big savings with a Blades 365 Membership!

Purchase a new Ticket Package or Flexible Voucher Package for the Blades 2021-22 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage along with an Everblades tote bag! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

2021 Kelly Cup Playoff Packages are now on sale. To view the Kelly Cup Playoff Package options click HERE. 

Discounted Group Packages are also available for Groups of 10 or more! To reserve your group for an upcoming home game, call or text the Everblades Front Office at (239) 948-7825.

Make it a Suite Night with the Everblades! A Luxury Suite and Party Suite are available at a limited number of Everblades home games this season. For the latest availability on Suites, call or text the Everblades Front Office at (239) 948-7825.

Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

JOIN THE BROADCASTSWatch every Florida Everblades game on the new home for ECHL hockey atFloHockey.TV.Listen to the exciting game action on WJBX News, Talk & More on 104.3 FM, 101.5 FM and AM 770, plus online at wjbxnewstalk.com. In addition, some Blades Broadcasts can be heard on 99.3 ESPN or online at993espn.com.

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

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