DULUTH, GA – The Atlanta Gladiators fell to the South Carolina Stingrays 3-1 Friday evening at Infinite Energy Arena. South Carolina D Jordan Klimek gathered two assists as the division-leading Stingrays downed the Glads for their 22ndwin of the season.
The Stingrays wasted no time re-establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the ECHL. They rattled off nine straight shots before Atlanta registered their first. In that span, F Jonathan Charbonneau and D Matt Nuttle assisted F Tim Harrison on his fifth goal of the season to give South Carolina the advantage five minutes into the contest. The division leaders capped off the dominant period with another tally when Klimek and F Andrew Cherniwchan found F Matthew Weis. His wide-angle shot caromed off a defender in front of G Callum Booth’s crease and doubled the lead with three minutes to play.
The Glads could not solve the Stingrays’ netminder Logan Thompson in the middle frame. In the waning minutes, South Carolina D Tariq Hammond earned a double minor high-sticking penalty. Atlanta concluded the second period with offensive momentum, but still down a pair of goals.
Despite swinging the offensive momentum, Atlanta could not break through before the ‘Rays struck again. F Max Novak ripped a blast from the edge of the face-off circle that beat G Chris Nell, who entered the game for Booth at the second intermission. Novak’s sixth goal of the season gave the visitors a commanding 3-0 lead with 12:20 to play. The Gladiators attempted to mount a comeback similar to Thursday’s when F Eric Neiley received a sharp pass from F Samuel Asselin off of a face-off. The veteran forward aimed a quick wrist shot past Thompson to get one goal back with 10:23 to play. The Glads would not find the back of the net again, dropping the second night of the back-to-back.
The Gladiators continue this home stand Sunday afternoon when they host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 2:05 PM. Fans are encouraged to come out early as the team is retiring the number of former player and coach Andy Brandt, as well as revealing this season’s third jersey. Secure your tickets today!
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