Heading into the third period Sunday, Florida looked like it was about to relive Friday night’s collapse. The Gators had carried a late second-period lead, only to surrender two quick goals and trail entering the final frame.
This time, though, the response was different. By the final horn, Florida had not only avoided a repeat collapse but flipped the script entirely.
The Florida Gators (4-2) erupted for four goals in the final period to cruise past the Gamecocks (2-3), claiming a 6-2 victory at Flight Adventure Park in Irmo, South Carolina.
Senior forward Evan Edwards netted the game-winning goal midway through the third, sealing the comeback.
The Gators played at a slower pace than usual, tightening up on their run-and-gun style without sacrificing on offense, which was once again led by its first-year players. Forward Liam Denny opened the scoring, while rookie blueliner Jack Fortescue added two goals, including one into the empty net.
Between the pipes, freshman goalie Zach Shield bounced back from Friday’s loss, earning his third win of the season to move to 3-1.
After a quiet start from both teams, Denny broke the deadlock midway through the second, finishing a 2-on-1 to put the Gators ahead. However, South Carolina responded quickly: junior defenseman Matteo Marchese completed a coast-to-coast rush to tie it, and only a few minutes later, junior winger Enzo Fanelli found open space in the slot to give the Gamecocks a 2-1 lead.
The Gators had to play catch-up. But unlike Friday, they didn’t fold.
Crucially, Florida made adjustments to their game going into the final frame. UF sharpened up defensively, relying more on its passing game to stretch USC’s defensive coverage and open up the ice.
That adjustment paid off midway through the third when a seemingly harmless perimeter shot from UF sophomore blueliner Owen Waivada slipped past South Carolina freshman goaltender Mason Shea, tying the game.
Moments later, Edwards found open space and finished on the rush to give Florida the lead, opening the floodgates. Senior forward Jackson Choi added a tap-in for insurance, and Fortescue sealed the win with back-to-back shorthanded goals — one on the penalty kill and another into the empty net.
Although Florida’s power play has struggled, the penalty kill was a standout all weekend, shutting down every USC man-advantage and ultimately finishing with a positive goal differential.
The Gators will have an extended break before returning to the ice on Oct. 24 against the University of Tampa at Clearwater Ice Arena in Clearwater, Florida. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Contact Daniela Ortiz at dortiz@alligator.org. Follow her on X @danielaortizUF.
Daniela is a junior sports journalism student and the enterprise/hockey beat reporter for Fall 2025. When not writing an article, you can catch her drawing or playing with her roommates' cats.
