Blades live to play another day
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC. – Corey Trivino saved the season for the Florida Everblades, at least for one more day.
Trivino scored at 5:38 of the third overtime to seal a 2-1 victory Wednesday night over the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 4 of the ECHL East Division Finals. The win cuts South Carolina’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-1.
After a hard-hitting first period, the Everblades scored the game’s first goal at 17:58 of the second period. Nicolas Deschamps dropped a pass to Mike Little in the slot, and Little wristed a shot that beat South Carolina goaltender Jeff Jakaitis high on the glove side.
Florida battled to preserve its 1-0 lead for most of the third period, but in a 4-on-4 situation, the Stingrays emptied their net to allow for the extra attacker. The move paid off, as Drew MacKenzie flexed a shot from that point that clipped past Blades netminder Allen York, who was screened in front. Mackenzie’s goal evened the score at 1-1 with 1:04 remaining in regulation and forced overtime.
One overtime turned into three extra sessions as both York and Carolina’s Jeff Jakaitis put on a show, trading spectacular saves to keep the game going.
When Florida’s Mike Aviani and Carolina’s Patrick Haul were assessed matching penalties in the third overtime, the game became another 4-on-4 situation. Trivino won a faceoff in the offensive zone and sent the puck to Mike Little at the point. Little steered a pass to across the ice to Gleason Fournier whose shot hit off Jukaitis’ pads at the top of the crease. Trivino, positioned in front of the net, slid the puck into the net to seal the win.
York earns the win stopping 43 of 44 shots. Jakaitis allowed two goals on 50 shots.
Game 5 of the series is 7:05 tonight at the North Charleston Coliseum. A Blades victory would bring the series back to Germain Arena on Monday and possibly Tuesday.