ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades down Stingrays 5-4 in 14-round shootout

Published on February 17, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - It took 14 rounds, but the Florida Everblades (31-15-2) persevered and eventually broke a 4-4 tie on Derek Damon's second goal in the shootout, to pick up a big road win over the South Carolina Stingrays (26-18-5) on Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum in front of a crowd of a crowd of 8,066.

The two South Division rivals opened the game in wild fashion with both teams tallying a goal in the first four minutes. The goal scoring opened at 2:23 with Scott Romfo collecting his fourth goal of the season by throwing a shot on net from the left point that deflected and bounced past Everblades net minder Craig Kowalski. The Everblades answered right back when Brad Zancanaro poked the puck from the right post past Stingrays goaltender Daren Machesney at 4:01. Vince Bellissimo and Adam Taylor assisted on Zancanaro's 9th goal of the year. The scoring closed out with Bellissimo banging a shot from the right circle through Machesney with 1:37 left in the period. Taylor and Zancanaro set up Bellissimo for his 15th tally of the season.

The intensity continued into the second period as along with the scoring, the physical play picked up. The Stingrays tallied the first goal of the frame when Evan Schwabe notched a power play goal just 3:26 into the period to tie the score 2-2. The game remained tied at two until late when Bellissimo scored his second goal of the night for the Everblades by slamming home a one-timer from the left circle at 15:23. Derek Damon picked up the helper on the goal. Although it looked like the Everblades would carry the lead into the locker room, South Carolina tied the contest when Peter Szabo banged a shot off Kowalski's arm and into the net with just 23 seconds remaining in the period to even the score at three.

The Stingrays picked up in the third period where they left off in the second, by scoring just 31 seconds into the final frame. Matt Stefanishion tallied an unassisted goal to give the ‘Rays a 4-3 advantage. The game remained that way until the closing moments when Taylor collected his sixth goal in the last three games with just 2:28 left in regulation to eventually send the game to overtime. Bellissimo and Brindley picked up the assists on Taylor's 13th of the season.

After neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, the game moved to a shootout. Both teams scored a plethora of goals in the first eight rounds with both teams scoring five goals. The teams then combined to go scoreless over the next five rounds, including two Everblades shots ringing off the goalpost. In round 14 after Kowalski stopped Stephen Werner's second attempt, Damon barley squeezed a shot through the arm of Machesney and across the goal line.

Kowalski (18-8-1) picked up the win by stopping 24 of 28 shots in regulation and overtime and turned away nine of 14 shooters faced in the shootout. Machesney (2-5-1) got credit for a tie after making 27 saves in regulation and overtime and stopping eight of 14 shooters in the shootout.

On the power play, the Everblades finished off the night 0-for-5, while the Stingrays closed out the night 1-for-6.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to action on Sunday, February 18 when they travel Charleston, SC to take on the South Carolina Stingrays at 4:00 p.m. from the North Charleston Coliseum. Sunday's game will be broadcast via the internet only and can be accessed by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com or www.abc-7.com.

Florida Everblades group and individual game tickets & mini-plans are now available! Reserve your seat for all the exciting action today by calling (239) 948-7825. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

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ECHL Stories from February 17, 2007


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