A five-goal deficit was too much to overcome for the South Carolina Stingrays as they dropped Game 3 of the South Division Finals to the Florida Everblades, 7-3, on Wednesday night at the North Charleston Coliseum in front of 3,785 fans.
Despite an early push in Game 3 by South Carolina, it was Florida still finding a way to open the scoring. Sam Stange scored his first of the playoffs 3:09 in, giving the Everblades a 1-0 lead.
Late in the first period, the visitors doubled their advantage. Anthony Romano scored his sixth of the series to put Florida ahead 2-0 going to the second.
In the second, the Everblades scored twice in the first nine minutes to take a 4-0 lead and end the night for South Carolina netminder Garin Bjorklund who was replaced by Seth Eisele. Jesse Lansdell knocked in a loose puck in the crease with 8:39 remaining in the frame, putting Florida ahead 5-0.
In a five-goal hole, the Stingrays showed no quit. Stanley Cooley punched home a rebound with 7:56 remaining in the second. Eight seconds later, Simon Pinard scored on a breakaway to cut the deficit to three, 5-2.
While on the power play in the final minute of the period, Connor Moore rocketed a one-timer past Florida goaltender Cam Johnson, bringing South Carolina within two, 5-3, going to the third.
The Stingrays had another power play to start the third period, but could not capitalize. Just under five minutes into the frame, Cole Moberg scored on a shot from the point, building the Everblades’ lead back to three, 6-3.
South Carolina searched for a spark in the third trailing by a trio again, but could not mount many chances. With 2:25 left and the net empty for the Stingrays, Jett Jones scored an empty-net goal to finish off the 7-3 victory for the Everblades. Florida now leads the best-of-seven series, 3-0.