Florida Falls to South Carolina, 5-3
March 19, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Despite Florida captain Ross Carlson giving the 'Blades an instant lead 17- seconds into the first period, Florida fell 5-3 to reigning Kelly Cup champion South Carolina before a sellout crowd (7,344) in Germain Arena.
Carlson's 21st goal of the season, assisted by defensemen Benn Olson and Phil Paquet, gave the 'Blades an early 1-0 edge. The first period ended with Florida goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu stopping all 14 shots on goal, almost tripling Connelly who recorded four saves out of five Everblade shots.
At 10:08 of the second period, South Carolina forward Keith Johnson joined a three-on-two rush after leaving the penalty box to put the Stingrays on the board, leveling the score 1-1. Johnson's 26th goal of the season was assisted by left wing Trent Campbell and defenseman Grant Farrell. A minute later, South Carolina's Farrell gave the Stingrays their first lead of the game wristing a shot in from the right point off the faceoff. The 'Blades tied the score at 2-2 on a great individual effort by Shea Guthrie. After cycling the puck in the Stingrays zone for nearly two minutes, Guthrie was the recipient of a Ernie Hartlieb pass and stickhandled his way to goaltender Connelly and put the puck in the back of the net to even the score at two.
Former Everblade Chris Capraro gave the Stingrays a 3-2 lead at 1:17 into the third period. Capraro's 7th goal of the season, first in a South Carolina sweater, came after being traded from Florida nine days ago. Less than two minutes later, South Carolina increased the lead to 4-2, after Keith Johnson tipped in a puck that lay in the crease after slipping through Florida goaltender Beckford-Tseu. With ten minutes remaining, right wing Milan Gajic lessened the deficit to 4-3 with a goal assisted by Florida veteran Ernie Hartlieb and rookie Shea Guthrie. South Carolina struck again at 11:42 with a shorthanded goal by forward Jake Hauswirth. Hauswirth stole the puck inside the Everblades blueline and broke in two-on-one and beat Beckford-Tseu over the shoulder to give the Stingrays a two-goal advantage. Hauswirth's 16th goal of the season gave the Stingrays the final tally, ending the game 5-3.
The Everblades and Stingrays finish the 13-game season series tomorrow night at Germain Arena. Tomorrow is also Guns and Hoses Night! Watch the SW Florida firefighters and the police department battle on the ice at 4:30 and then the Everblades and Stingrays follow at 7:30 p.m. You get two games for the price of one!
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 19, 2010
- Florida Falls to South Carolina, 5-3 - Florida Everblades
- Royals Drop Jackals, 6-2 - Reading Royals
- Stefanishion Nets Two Including Game Winner; Munce Wins Sixth Straight Start - Charlotte Checkers
- Jackals' challenge withstood - Elmira Jackals
- Kalamazoo Clinches Playoff Birth with Win Over Wheeling - Kalamazoo Wings
- Wings top Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Johnson's Two Goals Help Stingrays Dump Everblades 5-3 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Toledo Squeaks Out 3-1 Win Over Cyclones - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye Route Division Leaders - Toledo Walleye
- Mullen Recalled to Manchester - Ontario Reign
- Scott Fletcher and Rob Kwiet Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Condors Vs. Victoria Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Add Two - Kalamazoo Wings
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Utah Grizzlies - Stockton Thunder
- Nailers Weekend Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Nailers Add Backup Goalie Jarosz - Wheeling Nailers
- Jackals Game Preview: Reading At Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Idaho Adds Pair Of Rookies To Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Everblades Add Three Players, One Recalled - Florida Everblades
- Islanders Assign 31st Overall Pick Mikko Koskinen To Utah - Utah Grizzlies
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Swim South To Fight Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stingrays Release Klaren - South Carolina Stingrays
- Aces Settle For Point In Vegas - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers Stun Aces In OT, 8-7 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Royals Fall In Shootout To Charlotte, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Another Shootout Results In Checkers' Sixth Straight Win - Charlotte Checkers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
