Estero, FL – The Florida Everblades (36-25-2-5) defeated the South Carolina Stingrays (35-26-4-3) 5-2 at Germain Arena Friday night. Forward Andrew Cherniwchan scored both goals for the Stingrays in his first professional game.
Box Score
After a scoreless first period, six goals found the twine in the second frame with the Everblades taking a 5-1 lead into the intermission. Former Stingray Trevor Bruess started the scoring on the power play at 2:22 tapping a pass from defenseman David Fischer under the pads of Stingrays goaltender Billy Sauer (L, 31 saves on 36 shots). Forward Matt Beca added the second assist. Everblades forward Brayden Irwin made it a two-goal lead at 5:38 on the on the man advantage from defenseman Kevin Quick and forward Mathieu Roy. Forward Scott Pitt made it 3-0 seconds later from forwards Brandon MacLean and Irwin at 5:53.
After calling a timeout, the Stingrays jumped on the board with Cherniwchan’s first professional goal at 6:18 knocking in a loose puck past the right pad of Everblades netminder John Muse (W, 23 saves on 25 shots). Forwards Pierre-Luc O’Brien and Patrick Cullen netted assists. Forward Cedric McNicoll reclaimed a three-goal lead for the Everblades on the power play at 14:23 from Beca and Fisher. Defenseman Sebastien Piche buried Florida’s fourth power-play goal at 16:30 to make it 5-1 from Beca and forward Matt Marquardt.
Cherniwchan lit the lamp on the power play at 11:09 of the third period to complete the game scoring. Defenseman Johann Kroll and forward Billy Ryan claimed assists. The Stingrays finished the contest 1-for-4 on the power play while the Everblades when 4-for-4.
The Stingrays wrap up their regular-season series against the Everblades tomorrow, Friday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Germain Arena and return to the North Charleston Coliseum for Fan Appreciation Night and The Post and Courier Hall of Fame Night on Saturday, March 31 against the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:05 p.m. Cast your vote for this season’s Stingrays Hall of Fame inductee at StingraysHockey.com!
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