Everblades hold off Stingrays

Estero, Fla. — Defenseman Tommy Cross scored two goals, including his first professional tally, and forward Mike Hamilton added two assists for South Carolina, but it wasn’t enough as the Florida Everblades defeated the Stingrays, 6-4, at Germain Arena Friday night.

The Stingrays (3-4-0-0) kicked off the scoring at 7:31 of the first period when Cross buried his first professional goal on a 5-on-3 power play. Forwards Tyler McNeely and Hamilton earned assists.

McNeely made it 2-0 moments later on the man-advantage, lifting a shot past Everblades goaltender Pat Nagle (23 saves on 27 shots) from the bottom of the right-wing circle at 12:45 from defenseman Ryan Lowery and Hamilton.

The Everblades (3-1-0-2) cut the lead in half at 17:39 off a marker from forward Mathieu Roy.

Forward Corey Trivino tied the contest at 18:29 deflecting a shot past the glove of Stingrays netminder Adam Morrison (28 saves on 34 shots).

Forward Brody Sutter put the Everblades back on top 25 seconds into the third period, but Stingrays forward Andrew Cherniwchan locked it again at 3:36 from defenseman Ryan Turek and forward Shawn Weller.

Forward Aaron Bogosian put the Everblades up for good at 15:08 and forward Matt Marquardt netted an insurance tally on the power play at 18:30. The Stingrays finished the night 2 for 6 on the power play while the Everblades went 1 for 7.

The Stingrays return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Tuesday to battle the Orlando Solar Bears at 7:05 p.m. on 2-for-1 ticket night.