JACKSONVILLE (SportsTicker) —John McKechney’s power play goal 42 seconds into the final frame helped Greenville (17-8-7) in a 5-2 ECHL win over Jacksonville (18-11-1) Friday night before 7,582 at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Zach Jordan pulled the hosts within two on his power goal with to 9:23 to play. Jacksonville was 2 of 5 with a man advantage. Greenville was 1 for 4 on the power play.
The Icemen began the final period trailing 3-1 after Carter Souch and Alex Ierullo scored 74 seconds apart.
Greenville’s Tanner Eberle tallied to open the second period. Jacksonville tied the game on Christopher Brown’s eighth goal of the season on a powerplay.
Ethan Somaza made it 5-1 with an open net goal in the final minute.
The Swamp Rabbits David Hrenak stopped 25 shots. The Icemen’s Parker Gahagen made 19 saves.
The clubs meet again Saturday @ 1 p.m. in Jacksonville.
STEVENSON SHUTS OUT GLADIATORS IN 4-0 WIN
Clay Stevenson turned back all 29 shots he faced as the South Carolina Stingrays (18-5-3-1) shut out the Atlanta Gladiators (20-10-2-0) by a final score of 4-0 on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. The performance was Stevenson’s second shutout of the season.
JOHNSON MAKES 41 SAVES AS EVERBLADES CHOMP SOLAR BEARS 5-2
Three first-period goals in in a span of one minute and 18 seconds and a season-high 41-save performance by ECHL All-Star Cam Johnson was all the Florida Everblades needed to claim a fourth-straight victory over the Orlando Solar Bears, taking a 5-2 decision Friday evening at Amway Center to send 8,102 Solar Bears fans home disappointed.
—Mike Bonts
