South Carolina scored two shorthanded goals on Friday in a 5-2 win over the Jacksonville Icemen. Eli Lichtenwald scored his first-ever ECHL goal and Cody Fowlie collected his first professional point in his first ECHL game.
Unlike the past several games, the Icemen struggled to score in the first period. The Stingrays took full advantage early as Joe Devin sent a puck to the crease for Dylan Margonari to deflect past Colton Phinney. Just 73 seconds later, Margonari stole the puck in the offensive zone on the penalty kill and found Joe Devin all alone in the crease for the 2-0 Stingrays lead.
South Carolina's number one penalty kill would strike again in the second period. Nick Roberto took the puck at center ice and skated in all alone before placing his backhand shot top shelf past Phinney. Late in the second, Jacksonville would respond on the man advantage. In his first professional game, Cody Fowlie shot the puck on Parker Milner, and Tanner Eberle was able to score on the rebound. Fowlie picked up his first professional point with the primary assist, and the Icemen trailed by two goals after 40 minutes.
Jacksonville would attempt a third-period rally in the final frame, but the Stingrays would hold on. Shortly after the halfway mark, Patrick Gaul banked the puck off an Icemen defender and into the net to give the Stingrays a 4-1 lead. Not long after the South Carolina goal, Eli Lichtenwald capitalized in front of the net to pull the Icemen within two. Under two minutes to play, Jacksonville pulled Phinney for an extra attacker, but Tim McGauley scored to finish the game.
Despite the loss, Jacksonville is only eight points out of a playoff spot. The Icemen finish the three-game road trip on Monday, Feb. 19 at 2:00 p.m against the Norfolk Admirals, as the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, continues. On Friday, Feb. 23, the Icemen return home to take on the Norfolk Admirals at 7:30 p.m. . Click here to get your tickets!
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