EVERBLADES FALL IN GAME TWO; HEAD HOME FOR THREE GAMES

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. –  The Florida Everblades dropped a 4-0 decision to the South Carolina Stingrays Monday night at North Charleston Coliseum, as the Game Two setback evened the South Division Semifinal series at one game apiece. Action in the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Lexus Dealers of Southwest Florida, shifts to Hertz Arena on Wednesday for the first of three straight games on home ice. 

In stark contrast to Game One in which the Everblades took a 3-0 first-period lead, the Stingrays jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first 20 minutes of Game Two. Kevin O’Neil converted on the Rays’ first power-play opportunity of the contest at the 3:42 mark, before Ryan Scarfo added a tally at the 14:49 mark. Ty Thorpe closed out the first-period scoring with South Carolina’s second power-play goal of the game exactly two minutes later at 16:49. 

Neither team managed to score in the second period, but the Everblades outshot the Stingrays 16-11 after the Rays claimed a 13-3 advantage in the opening frame. 

South Carolina’s Lawton Courtnall closed out the scoring at 4-0 with a shorthanded empty-net goal at 16:30 of the final period. O’Neil earned an assist and was only player in the contest to end the night with two points. 

Cam Johnson registered 25 saves and suffered the loss for the Everblades, falling to 1-1 in this year’s playoffs, while South Carolina’s Clay Stevenson stopped all 27 shots he faced and was victorious in his first career postseason assignment. 

Florida was outshot 29-27 and went 0-for-6 on the power play, while South Carolina was 2-for-10 on the man advantage. In the first two games of the series, the winning side scored two power play goals, while the team on the short end of the decision was shutout. 

The deadlocked best-of-seven affair moves to Hertz Arena for Games Three and Four on Wednesday, April 26 and Friday, April 28, respectively, at 7:30 p.m. and Game Five on Saturday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. 

 Single game tickets for all three home games in the South Division Semifinals of the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Lexus Dealers of Southwest Florida, are on sale at the Fifth Third Bank Box Office at Hertz Arena, online HERE or by calling the Everblades office at 239-948-PUCK.  

Your favorite promotions at Hertz Arena are back for the opening round of the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Lexus Dealers of Southwest Florida! Our awesome deals include the ever-popular Hump Day Deals for Game Three with $3.00 Bud Light Drafts and $3.00 hot dogs, and our 239 Friday Deals for Game Four which include two tickets, two programs and a large bucket of popcorn. Saturday’s Game Five will also be preceded by a great pregame tailgate featuring live music by Thomas Carter from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

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JOIN THE FUN 

2023 Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets are now on sale. Join the Blades in their pursuit to defend the title! To learn more, call or text (239) 948-7825. 

The 2023-24 season ticket plans are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2023-24 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE. 

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more! 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. 

Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION  Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com.  

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. 

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