Goal in closing seconds leads Stingrays over Everblades
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Rob Bellamy scored with 23 seconds remaining in regulation to propel the South Carolina Stingrays to a 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Division semifinals Tuesday night.
South Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0.
The Blades scored the game’s first goal as Alex Aleardi beat a defender on the right wing circle and backhanded a feed to the top of the crease to Nicolas Deschamps, who angled the puck high into the net past goaltender Jeff Jakaitis for the goal.
The Stingrays evened the score just moments after their first power play opportunity came to an end. After the power play expired, the Rays maintained possession in the zone. Derek DeBlois delivered a shot at the ‘Blades net that was stopped by Florida netminder Allen York. The rebound was backhanded in by Sean Dolan from the top of the crease to tie the game at 1-1.
Stingrays took the lead in the second when DeBlois found Michal Cajkovsky in the slot. Cajkovsky snapped a shot into the top shelf of the net to put the Rays ahead 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.
Florida pieced together a solid third period, and finally netted the equalizer at 6:20 of the third when Matt Marquardt rocketed a shot that hit off the end boards. The puck bounced directly in front to Corey Trivino who shoved the puck into the net past Jakaitis to tie the game at 2-2.
Florida continued to press offensively, but could not find the go-ahead marker. After dodging a barrage of shots by the Blades, the Stingrays carried the puck the other direction. Marcus Perrier flipped a pass from the slot to the backhand of Rob Bellamy in front. Bellamy directed the puck through the five-hole of York for the goal to secure the 3-2 victory.
Jakaitis earned the win stopping 21 of 23 shots faced, while York takes the loss in his return to the lineup allowing three goals on 24 shots.
The teams meet again Wednesday for Game 4.