The victory handed South Carolina its first home loss in regulation time this season, snapping the Stingrays’ 15-game home unbeaten streak (13-0-2-0).
McEwan gave the Everblades their third – and final – lead of the game, potting his fourth goal of the season at 4:42 of the third period to put the visitors ahead for good, 3-2.
ECHL All-Star Cam Johnson became the first goalie in the league to reach 16 wins this season, making 16 saves in a busy opening period, a baker’s dozen in the middle frame and 10 in the final stanza.
Despite being outshot 17-7 in the first period, the Everblades managed to take a 1-1 decision into the first intermission. Blake Winiecki opened the scoring for Florida with his eighth goal of the season at 5:17 of the first period, but the Stingrays’ Justin Florek collected the equalizer just over four minutes later.
The game was deadlocked at 40 minutes, as the teams traded early second-period goals. For the Blades, Oliver Chau gave Florida a shorthanded goal for the third straight game. Chau’s eighth tally of the season came at the 3:03 mark, but South Carolina’s Alexandre Fortin converted on the power play just 20 seconds later and knotted the game at 2-2.
In addition to McEwan’s goal in the third period, Cam Darcy added an empty-net goal in the final minute to close out the scoring.
The four-game road trip concludes with an afternoon tilt against the Stingrays on Sunday. The puck will drop at 3:05 p.m.
With Florida Everblades release
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