Heroic Rally for Blades in Wild Night

ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades (34-17-2-2) mounted the most impressive comeback of the season to top the South Carolina Stingrays (24-19-10-3) 6-5 in overtime at Hertz Arena. Florida scored four goals in the third period, and John McCarron netted the overtime winner to seal the victory for the Blades.

FIRST STAR: John McCarron (FLA) - one goal, two assists, +4, six shots

SECOND STAR: Andrew Cherniwchan (SC) - two goals, one assist, +1, five shots

THIRD STAR: Alex Kile (FLA) - two goals, +3, five shots

BOX SCORE

With nearly seven minutes gone in the first period, defenseman Stefan Leblanc fed forward Joe Pendenza near the blue line. Penedeza found a streaking Hugo Roy who fired a wrister past the Stingrays netminder Dubeau (6:42). Just over a minute later, Stingray Andrew Cherniwchan snuck the puck past Florida goaltender Jake Hildebrand to even the score at one apiece (7:48).

Almost midway through the second period, the Stingrays pulled ahead when forward Tariq Hammond corralled a rebound and found the back of the net (7:23). With the Stingrays on the power play, Cherniwchan secured his second goal of the night with a one-timer to extend the South Carolina lead to 3-1 (11:57). 

Florida’s valiant comeback began in the third period when John McCarron found an open Alex Kile who slung the puck into the net from the wing to bring the Blades within one goal (7:21). Just over six minutes later, Blake Winiecki scored on an odd-man rush to tie the game at 3-3 (13:26). 

Kile struck again in the third period after McCarron forced a turnover from South Carolina goaltender Alex DuBeau. McCarron then slid the puck to Kile, and the winger notched his second tally of the night to give Florida a 4-3 advantage (14:10).

The Stingrays did not take kindly to the surge from the Blades, and South Carolina tied the game two-and-a-half minutes after Kile’s mark on a goal from Tyler Nanne (17:24). Then with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, Brett Supinski found the back of the net from the low slot to give South Carolina a 5-4 edge (19:30). 

With Florida goaltender Jake Hildebrand pulled for an extra skater, the Blades mounted a last-ditch effort in the Stingrays’ zone. Nearing the end of regulation, Myles Powell scored with exactly one second left in the period to tie the game at 5-5 (19:59). 

Riding a wave of momentum into overtime from Powell’s goal, John McCarron erupted on a breakaway and scored the game-winner to complete the comeback for Florida (1:08). 

The weekend wraps up tomorrow with a 7:00 p.m. contest between Florida and South Carolina on Saturday, May 8 at Hertz Arena. Tomorrow 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.

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Watch 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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