Blades rally to clip Stingrays 5-4
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Corey Trivino scored twice to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 5-4 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays Saturday night. With the win, the Everblades (8-3) reclaim the top spot in the East Division following Saturday’s play.
The first period was a roller coaster ride of momentum with both teams benefiting. The Stingrays struck first just 1:34 into the game as Joe Devin beat the Everblades defense and charged in on goal. Devin slipped a backhand shot through the five-hole of Everblades goaltender Daniel Altshuller to give the Rays the 1-0 lead on their first shot of the game.
South Carolina added a second goal just three minutes later when Brandon Gracel finished off a shorthanded scoring chance with a wrist shot that beat Altshuller to put the score at 2-0 in favor of the Rays.
Despite the early deficit, the Everblades with help from Corey Trivino got back on track. Trivino mirrored the Stingrays success with shorthanded goals, scoring one of his own at 9:15 of the period. Trivino carried the puck to the crease and slipped a backhand past netminder Jeff Jakaitis for the goal.
Trivino continued his hot streak scoring a second goal five minutes later. Cameron Burt centered a feed to wide open Trivino in the slot who flipped a shot past Jakaitis to tie the game at 2-2.
Florida grabbed the lead and added to it on back-to-back goals by Alex Lavoie and Jess Costello just 24 seconds apart in the second period. Lavoie scored on a wrist shot from the right wing circle, while Costello caught a saucer pass in front and slipped a smooth backhand through the five-hole to give the ‘Blades a 4-2 lead. The goal was Costello’s first of his professional career.
After a wraparound goal by Derek DeBlois at 9:12 of the middle frame, the Blades reclaimed a two-goal edge at 14:36 on Cameron Burt’s shot high over the shoulder of Jakaitis down low to give Florida a 5-3 lead after two periods.
The Everblades shut down the Rays in the third period, until allowing a goal by Lee Moffie with 1:08 remaining in regulation. The goal was too little too late for the Stingrays, as Florida went on to take the win 5-4.
Altshuller stopped 18 of 22 shots.
Trivino has now scored five goals in three games against South Carolina this season.
The Everblades close out the three-game weekend road set on Sunday afternoon at Gwinnett.