The South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Florida Everblades 4-3 in a South Division game Friday night at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. The victory handed Florida its first regulation loss at home in more than nine months.
Patrick Thomas made an immediate impact in his first game back with the South Carolina Stingrays, recording one goal and one assist. Alex Gaffney, Jaylen Luypen and Zack Andrusiak also scored for South Carolina.
Stingrays Respond to Florida’s Early Lead
Florida opened the scoring six minutes into the first period when Tiernan Shoudy entered the South Carolina zone on a 2-on-1 and fed Cole Moberg for the goal. Gaffney tied the game with eight minutes remaining in the period, breaking away and beating Florida goaltender Cam Johnson through the five-hole.
Luypen put the Stingrays ahead early in the second period after Cam Morrison set him up just after a South Carolina power play expired. Florida answered midway through the period when Dalton Duhart scored following a flurry of penalties on both sides.
Less than two minutes after Duhart’s goal, Devon Paliani set up Jesse Lansdell to give the Everblades a 3-2 lead. Thomas then deflected a point shot from Aidan Hreschuk past Johnson with five minutes remaining in the period, tying the game at three.
Andrusiak restored South Carolina’s lead in the final minute of the second period by finishing a centering feed. The Stingrays carried the 4-3 advantage into the third period.
Stingrays Hold Off Late Push
Florida threatened to tie the game midway through the third period, but Luke Prokop tipped a shot away at the goal line to preserve South Carolina’s lead. The Everblades created another opportunity in the final minute after a hooking penalty gave them a 6-on-4 advantage with their goaltender pulled.
A Florida penalty in the final seconds ended the push, allowing the Stingrays to hold on for the 4-3 victory. South Carolina and Florida are scheduled to meet again Saturday night at Hertz Arena, with puck drop at 7 p.m.
South Carolina Stingrays Schedule Context
The South Carolina Stingrays are scheduled to return to North Charleston Coliseum on Friday, November 20, for Ray-Con Night against the Greensboro Gargoyles. That game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Analysis
South Carolina scored three times in the second period, with Luypen, Thomas and Andrusiak providing the goals. Thomas’ one-goal, one-assist performance provided an immediate offensive contribution in his first game back with the Stingrays.
The late penalty situation tested South Carolina’s ability to protect a one-goal lead, and the Stingrays held on after Florida pulled its goaltender for the extra attacker. The rematch Saturday night gives both teams another opportunity to adjust after a closely contested South Division game.
Source: Original report
