North Charleston, SC. The Atlanta Gladiators (7-0-0-0) extended their winning streak to seven-games to open the season as they defeated the South Carolina Stingrays (3-4-2-0) by a 2-1 score in overtime Friday evening at North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina.
First Star: Tyler Harmon (ATL) - 40 saves, win
Second Star: Luke Prokop (ATL) - 1 goal, +2
Third Star: Josh Wilkins (SC) - 1 goal
Atlanta opened the scoring early in the first period courtesy of Ryan Cranford scoring his first professional goal to grab a 1-0 lead (6:37). Cranford wired home a cross-crease feed from Michael Marchesan for his first marker of the season.
Both goaltenders stood tall in the middle frame to keep it a 1-0 score heading into the final period.
The goaltenders continued their strong play in the third period, highlighted by a spectacular save by Tyler Harmon early in the period to break up a potential Stingrays breakaway.
South Carolina broke Tyler Harmon’s shutout bid late in the third period to make it 1-1 and send the game into overtime.
Four-minutes into overtime Luke Prokop called game as he propelled Atlanta to the 2-1 victory. Mitch Fossier’s shot took a funny bounce in front of the Stingrays net and Prokop was on the doorstep to knock home his second goal of the season and seal the win.
Tyler Harmon made 40 saves on 41 shots in the win for Atlanta, meanwhile Garin Bjorklund allowed two goals on 23 in the loss for South Carolina.
Check out the highlights below!