Everblades Use Strong Start to Even Series at 1-1
April 30, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
EVERBLADES USE STRONG START TO EVEN SERIES AT 1-1 Cherniwchan Scores Twice For Stingrays In Defeat
ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Everblades used a three-goal first period to get out to a lead and defeat the South Carolina Stingrays 5-2 in Game 2 of the South Division Finals on Saturday night at Germain Arena. The win for the Everblades evened the teams' best-of-seven series at 1-1 in the second round Kelly Cup Playoffs series.
Andrew Chernwichan scored twice for South Carolina in the loss, while Parker Milner turned away 18 shots in net for the Stingrays.
The Everblades came out strong and took control of the game in the first period with three early goals after a fight on the opening face-off between Florida's Mitchell Heard and South Carolina's Domenic Monardo.
Matt Hatch made it 1-0 Everblades with his first career playoff goal at 2:28 of the frame. Florida then struck for the second time at 2:53 on Levko Koper's first tally of the game. Koper added another at 5:45 to increase the Everblades' advantage to 3-0.
The Stingrays began a comeback late in the opening period when Cherniwchan scored on the power play from Steven McParland and Kelly Zajac at 17:19 to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Rays got closer in the second frame when Cherniwchan made it 3-2 with his second of the night from Domenic Monardo and Wade Epp at 6:57. The Hinton, Alta. native stepped into the rush and took a pass from the right wing wall before wristing the puck over Alex Nedeljkovic for his third goal of the postseason.
During the second period the South Carolina penalty kill held down the fort, discarding four consecutive Florida power plays. The Everblades finished the contest 2-for-8 on the man-advantage, while the Stingrays were 1-for-7.
Florida went back ahead by two goals with a power play tally by Brendan O'Donnell early on in the third period at 3:06.
South Carolina was unable to get any closer later in the period and Koper sealed the victory with his third goal of the evening, an empty net tally at 18:46 of the third.
The teams finished even in shots on goal in the contest at 23-23. Nedeljkovic totaled 21 saves in goal for the Everblades.
The series now shifts to South Carolina with Game 3 at the North Charleston Coliseum on Monday night at 7:05 p.m.
'Pay As We Play' playoff ticket packages are also on sale through the Stingrays office and will ensure you the same seats for all home playoff action!
Single game tickets for Games 3 and 4 are on sale now at the North Charleston Coliseum Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com. Stay tuned to stingrayshockey.com and follow the Stingrays on social media to stay up to date on all the latest playoff information.
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