MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -Estero, FL –The South Carolina Stingrays edged the Florida Everblades 3-2 Saturday night in front of 4,029 at Germain Arena.

The Stingrays (4-2-1-1) struck first as Gregg Johnson punched home his second goal of the year past Everblades goaltender Mike Morrison at 9:08 of the opening period. Michael Dubuc started the rush down the right-wing boards and found Johnson rushing to the front of the net for the opening marker. The Everblades answered back with a back-door goal from Rob Hennigar at 15:40 from Milan Gajic. The two teams skated to the intermission tied at one.

 
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South Carolina reclaimed the lead thanks to Rob Ricci from Jake Hauswirth and Matt Scherer at 10:09 of the second period. Ricci poked in a lose puck behind Morrison after an initial shot from Hauswirth and rebound pass from Scherer. Florida (3-4-1-0) continued their offensive pressure with numerous chances in front of Stingrays goaltender Todd Ford, but the Stingrays defense stood strong.

The Stingrays jumped to a two-goal lead thanks to Matt Fornataro’s penalty shot goal at 17:22 of the third period. Fornataro was awarded the shot after Morrison threw his goal stick at the Stingray forward to prevent a clear shot after the puck bounced off the back glass at an odd angle catching the Everblades goaltender out of position. Trailing by two, Florida never quit and pulled the game within one with a late goal by Ernie Hartlieb from Scott Hotham at 19:11. The Everblades kept the pressure, but could not solve a shut-down Stingrays defense. Ford finished the night blocking 31 of 33 Florida shots while Morrison sufferd the loss stopping 19 of 22 opportunities.

The Stingrays continue their nine-game road trip Friday, November 6 as they visit the Wheeling Nailers at 7:35 p.m. Listen to the game live at Stingrayshockey.com! The Rays return to North Charleston Coliseum Friday, November 14 against the Charlotte Checkers at 7:05 p.m. for the second annual Green Night and Environmentally Friendly hockey game. Ticket packages and individual tickets are on sale now!  Call the Stingrays front office at (843) 744-2248 for more information.  For all the latest Stingrays news, visit www.stingrayshockey.com.

South Carolina Stingrays 3 At Florida Everblades 2 - Status: Final
Oct 31, 2009 - Germain Arena

South Carolina 1 1 1 - 3
Florida 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-1, South Carolina, Johnson 2 (Dubuc, Godfrey), 9:08. 2, Florida, Hennigar 2 (Gajic, Hotham), 15:40. Penalties-Baker Fla (hooking), 0:37; Finley Sc (slashing , fighting - major), 11:56; McJannet Fla (fighting - major), 11:56; Johnson Sc (roughing), 17:59.

2nd Period-3, South Carolina, Ricci 4 (Hauswirth, Scherer), 10:09. Penalties-Hartlieb Fla (delay of game), 1:57; Fornataro Sc (slashing ), 5:04; Duffy Fla (hooking), 10:49; Campbell Sc (delay of game), 16:08.

3rd Period-4, South Carolina, Fornataro 3   17:22 (ps). 5, Florida, Hartlieb 3 (Baker), 19:11. Penalties-Thelen Fla (delay of game), 1:19; Finley Sc (delay of game - restricted area), 4:13; Godfrey Sc (delay of game), 13:45.

Shots on Goal-South Carolina 5-9-8-22. Florida 12-14-7-33.
Power Play Opportunities-South Carolina 0 of 4; Florida 0 of 6.
Goalies-South Carolina, Ford 3-1-0-1 (33 shots-31 saves). Florida, Morrison 3-3-1-0 (22 shots-19 saves).
A-4,029
Referees-Jarrod Ragusin (28).
Linesmen-Craig Alles (38), James Johnstone (61).

Commissioner Bud Selig shaved drug suspensions of players and broke the rules of MLB. Will Manny Ramirez and three others do a year? What will happen to dozens of minor league players whose records, teams, and leagues are affected? Read the whole story at SZ ( www.mlnsports.com).