ECHL Game Recap: South Carolina Stingrays vs Atlanta Gladiators | 11/3/2024

Sunday, November 3rd was the first divisional matchup between the Atlanta Gladiators and the South Carolina Stingrays this season at the North Charleston Coliseum. Since last season the Stingrays have made significant roster changes, adding physicality and size but losing key offensive players like Bryce Montgomery and Jack Adams.

The Atlanta Gladiators have indeed shown flashes of brilliance throughout their games. However, they have struggled with consistency, which has impacted their ability to secure the win. Their defense, led by strong goaltending has been a factor in keeping them competitive. Yet, finding a balance between solid defensive play and generating consistent offensive pressure has remained a challenge. With continued effort and adjustments, the Gladiators have the potential to turn those brilliant moments into a more consistent winning formula.

Starting Lines – Atlanta

Starting Lines – South Carolina

Team Statistics Heading into the Game

Period 1:

The Gladiators went on the power play early on after a tripping penalty against South Carolina’s Dean Loukus. Despite several attempts, including a good chance by Derek Topatigh, the Gladiators are unable to score. The Stingrays manage to kill the penalty, and the game remains scoreless with 4:03 gone in the first period.

The commentary highlights various players’ actions and attempts, including a notable save by Drew DeRidder and a strong defensive play by the Gladiators. The game continues with both teams having opportunities, but neither side is able to capitalize early on. The physicality of the game remained evident, with several big hits by players such as Brenden Datema of Atlanta.

At 15:40 in the first period, South Carolina scored to take the lead. The goal was scored by Connor Moore, his second of the season, with assists from Ryan Leibold and Jamie Engelbert. This play involved a coordinated effort, with Ryan Leibold and Jamie Engelbert setting up Moore well for the scoring opportunity. Moore capitalized on the setup, taking a shot that beat the Gladiators’ goalie, Drew DeRidder. The goal put the Stingrays up 1-0.

DeRidder made a few saves for Atlanta during the first period to keep the game close. One such save came off a drive from the left circle by Hudson Thornton, which DeRidder gloved down. We closed the period with Atlanta trailing by one.

Here are the stats for the first period between Atlanta and South Carolina:

Period 2:

The first period between Atlanta and South Carolina was intense and the second looked to be no different as the Gladiators looked to tie things up. Blake Murray from Atlanta got injured after a hit by Blake Thompson but managed to get back to the bench. South Carolina has been strong defensively, effectively blocking Atlanta’s shots and passes. Ryan Leibold from South Carolina was hit and went down, leading to some physical play and a penalty on Datema for cross-checking (11:39). Atlanta’s goalie, DeRidder, made several crucial saves to keep the score close. Ryan Cranford had a great shorthanded chance for Atlanta but was stopped by South Carolina’s goalie, Bjorklund.

Andrew Jarvis for the Gladiators made a strong play through the middle, leading to a clean entry over the line. Hernández tried to set up a play, dropping the puck off for Jarvis, but Bjorklund made the save with Pearson hovering in front of the South Carolina net. Atlanta has now matched their shots on goal from the first period, with 12 shots in total compared to South Carolina’s 20. DeRidder had been excellent, making 19 saves on 20 shots, while Bjorklund has stopped all 12 shots he’s faced.

Jackson Pierson, Cody Sylvester, and Hernández were on the ice for Atlanta when South Carolina won the faceoff and cleared the puck. Hernández lost possession, and after some physical play, Andrew Perrott took a shot that DeRidder saved. With 34.3 seconds left in the second period, South Carolina led Atlanta by a score of 1-0.

In the final 20 seconds of the second period, Sylvester was just outside his own blue line. The puck was tipped into the Stingrays’ zone, and Bjorklund nearly turned it over. Charlie Combs managed to get the puck and moved it to the far side. Hanzel tried to clear it on the backhand but couldn’t. Combs skated in, and there was a battle in the corner with Kyler Kupka trying to center the puck from behind the goal line. Kupka got spun around, and with just 2 seconds left, Sylvester played the puck out, ending the period.

Here are the stats for the second period between Atlanta and South Carolina:

Period 3:

It looks like forward Blake Murray would not return for the third period after taking what looked like a significant hit during the second period. In the third period of the game between the Atlanta Gladiators and the South Carolina Stingrays, the Gladiators were trailing 1-0. The period started with Randy Hernandez making a strong push for Atlanta, but South Carolina’s defense, including Connor Moore and Hudson Thornton, managed to keep them at bay. Cody Sylvester and other Gladiators players were actively trying to create scoring opportunities, but South Carolina’s goalie made several more key saves. The game remained intense with both teams battling hard, but the Gladiators were still looking for that equalizing goal.

The Atlanta Gladiators started the third period down 1-0 against the South Carolina Stingrays. Randy Hernández quickly made a push towards the South Carolina net, but Cody Sylvester’s centering pass found no one. The Stingrays’ Tyler Weiss and Jeremy Davidson were active, with Davidson getting a shot that was stopped by Atlanta’s goalie. South Carolina’s Connor Moore, who scored the only goal so far, continued to be a key player, taking a bump but maintaining his presence on the ice. The Stingrays’ goalie made several more crucial saves, including a high shot from Cody Sylvester and a close-range attempt from Eric Neiley.

Despite Atlanta’s efforts, including a strong shift from the line of Josh Boyer, Ryan Cranford, and Michael Marchesan, they struggled to get past Bjorklund. South Carolina’s defense, led by players like Thornton and Loukus, managed to clear the puck and prevent Atlanta from equalizing. The period was marked by continued back-and-forth action, with both teams battling hard. Atlanta’s Carabia and Datema were solid on defense, while South Carolina’s offense, including Combs and Kupka, kept the pressure on.

With Atlanta pulling their goalie in the final moments, Cody Sylvester’s pass to Neiley was clutch, finally breaking through Bjorklund’s defense to tie it up 1-1. Now, we have headed into overtime!

Here are the stats for the third period between the Atlanta Gladiators and the Savannah Ghost Pirates:

Overtime

Eric Neiley had a close chance to end the game but was denied by a smart poke check from South Carolina’s goalie, G. Bjorklund. Joey Cipollone excelled in face-offs and showed great hustle. Micah Miller and Ryan Cranford were involved in key plays, with Cranford delivering a big hit. Blake Thompson had a notable offensive effort, but DeRidder made a crucial save. Connor Moore and Engelbert had opportunities, but the game remained tied. Finally, Tyler Weiss scored the game-winning goal for South Carolina, securing the extra point in a dramatic finish. Final score was 2-1, South Carolina.

Game Notes

Up Next

The Atlanta Gladiators will face off against the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00 PM EST at the Kia Center. The South Carolina Stingrays will play the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday, November 8th at 7:05 PM EST at the North Charleston Coliseum.