ECHL: South Carolina Stingrays vs Atlanta Gladiators | 01/03/2025

In a highly anticipated ECHL South Division showdown, the South Carolina Stingrays faced off against the Atlanta Gladiators at Gas South Arena. Both teams entered the game with a lot to prove, aiming to secure crucial points in the standings. Fans were eager to see how the teams would match up, with key players like netminders Garin Bjorklund and Ethan Haider expected to play pivotal roles in the outcome.

Starting Lines – South Carolina:

• Blake Thompson – D
• Connor Moore – D
• Erik Middendorf – F
• Josh Wilkins – F
• Kyler Kupka – F
• Garin Bjorklund – G

Starting Lines – Atlanta:

• Anthony Firriolo – D
• Derek Topatigh – D
• Cody Sylvester – F
• Carson Denomie – F
• Eric Neiley – F
• Ethan Haider – G

Period 1

A pass from Patriks Marcinkevics to Randy Hernández led to a shot on net that was ultimately stopped by Bjorklund. Yoder followed that up with an opportunity of his own but was also denied. A turnover by the Gladiators sent the puck racing to the opposite end of the ice, while the Stingrays engaged in a hit along the boards on Michael Marchesan but the Gladiators were able to make the clear.

A driving shot from Jeremy Hanzel was blocked by the Stingrays’ goaltender, Bjorklund. Later, a shot by Jace Isley on Haider was also stopped. The Gladiators were the first to score, thanks to a banked shot from Andrew Jarvis that was redirected into the net by Easton Armstrong. Connor Galloway was also credited with an assist on the play at the 7:21 mark.

Two consecutive strong attempts by Atlanta on Bjorklund were denied by the goaltender. Neiley nearly had an opportunity to score against Bjorklund later on but just missed his chance. A delayed penalty on the Stingrays led to Atlanta’s first power play opportunity. Blake Thompson was called for hooking at 12:28. With the man advantage, the Gladiators aimed to keep the momentum in their favor. However, they too faced a penalty moments later, resulting in a 4-on-4 situation as Neiley went to the penalty box for hooking at 13:13. Haider then made a nice glove save on a shot by Kupka. Both teams would return to full strength with no goals scored by either team.

Marchesan was well positioned by Armstrong but narrowly missed the shot. Galloway fell to the ice, yet no penalty was called on that play much to the dismay of Atlanta fans. A diving poke check was executed by Haider which successfully halted South Carolina’s rush, compelling them to then ice the puck.

We ended the period with a near goal by Atlanta but Bjorklund was there to make the stop.

Shots: South Carolina 2, Atlanta 15
Goals: Atlanta (Easton Armstrong, assisted by Andrew Jarvis and Connor Galloway)
Penalties: South Carolina (Blake Thompson – Hooking, 12:28), Atlanta (Eric Neiley – Hooking, 13:13)
Powerplay: South Carolina 0/1, Atlanta 0/1

Period 2

A delayed penalty was called on the Stingrays when Micah Miller received a high-sticking penalty for his action against Blake Murray at 1:25. During their second power play, the Gladiators effectively moved the puck into their zone. South Carolina fought hard to keep the puck, but the Gladiators responded. Hanzel delivered a powerful shot toward Bjorklund, yet the netminder managed to keep the puck away from the net.

Atlanta continued to dominate in shot count, persistently advancing with their puck movement. Subsequently, Haider made a glove save on Kupka’s shot, leading to the Gladiators facing a penalty for slashing. Zach Yoder was sent to the penalty box at 4:41. Haider and the Gladiators successfully prevented the puck from entering the net while the Stingrays launched an offensive push towards their goal. The Gladiators successfully defended the penalty, and they returned to full strength once again.

Sylvester passed to Neiley and Joey Cipollone launched an offensive move, but it got poke-checked away before reaching the net. Haider skillfully blocked the shot from Moore, keeping the Stingrays from scoring. Ryan Cranford shot on the net but was blocked. Hanzel tried to make a move of his own but was halted by Bjorklund. Topatigh took a shot on goal, but it was deflected. Neiley controlled the puck and passed it to Cipollone, but his shot failed to find the back of the net. In the following moments, Bjorklund executed an impressive save against Armstrong’s shot on the net.

Eventually, the Stingrays managed to score as they slid one up and over Haider’s left shoulder. Ryan Hofer netted the goal, assisted by Isley and Klimek at 15:03. We were now tied 1-1.

Yoder made a shot to initiate a line change, while the Gladiators kept executing their zone strategy. The Stingrays maintained control of the puck in Atlanta’s zone, while the Gladiators shifted to a defensive strategy as Haider made a few crucial saves which kept the score tied.

Shots: South Carolina 14, Atlanta 9
Goals: South Carolina (Ryan Hofer, assisted by Jace Isley and Jordan Klimek)
Penalties: South Carolina (Micah Miller – High-sticking, 1:25), Atlanta (Zach Yoder – Slashing, 4:41)
Powerplay Results: South Carolina 0/1, Atlanta 0/1

Period 3

Sylvester triumphed over Bjorklund, securing a one-point lead for the Gladiators, with assists from Christian Hausinger and Cipollone. Atlanta now led 2-1.

Later, Atlanta received a penalty after high sticking was called against Jackson Pierson at 5:31. Atlanta executed remarkable defensive maneuvers to assist Haider in preventing the puck from reaching the net and keeping the Stingrays from adding to the scoreboard. A high shot by Atlanta forced Bjorklund to jump for the puck, as the Gladiators went back to full strength. Moments later, the Stingrays equalized the score once more as Tyler Weiss from South Carolina scored the goal, forcing one past Haider, with assists credited to Austin Magera and Middendorf at 8:17. Topatigh fired a laser shot on Bjorklund, but he managed to glove it.

With five minutes remaining in the final frame, the score remained tied. Moore was called for a delay of game penalty, sending the Gladiators on the power play at 15:15. Armstrong took the shot, but Bjorklund successfully made the save. Both teams returned to full strength, and following an intense exchange of plays from both teams, the game entered overtime with the score tied at three goals each.

Score – End of Period 3:

• South Carolina: 2
• Atlanta: 2

Shots: South Carolina 9, Atlanta 8
Goals: Atlanta (Cody Sylvester, assisted by Christian Hausinger and Joey Cipollone), South Carolina (Tyler Weiss, assisted by Austin Magera and Erik Middendorf)
Penalties: South Carolina 1 (Connor Moore – Delay of Game, 15:15), Atlanta 1 (Jackson Pierson – High-sticking, 5:31)
Powerplay Results: South Carolina 0/1, Atlanta 0/1

Overtime

Sylvester almost beat Bjorklund in a thrilling sequence where the goalie dropped the puck right in front of the net but somehow managed to glove it back down. Bjorklund then headed to the bench as Moore took a shot, but Armstrong made the save. South Carolina went on the power play as Murray was called for interference at 2:48, wth Bjorklund tending the net one again. After the Gladiators returned to full strength, South Carolina headed to the penalty box next, as a holding infraction was called on Wilkins at 6:12. Topatigh’s shot on net was saved by Bjorklund, leaving us with only seconds remaining and ending the period tied at two as the buzzer sounded the ended to OT.

Shots: South Carolina 4, Atlanta 1
Goals: None
Penalties: South Carolina (Josh Wilkins – Holding, 6:12), Atlanta (Blake Murray – Interference, 2:48)
Powerplay Results: South Carolina 0/1, Atlanta 0/1

Shootout

Atlanta would shoot first for each round.

Game Summary

In an intense ECHL matchup, the Atlanta Gladiators edged out the South Carolina Stingrays with a 3-2 victory in a shootout at Gas South Arena on January 3, 2025. The game was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both teams showcasing strong defensive plays and goaltending. The Gladiators’ Ethan Haider was a standout performer, making crucial saves throughout the game and in the shootout to secure the win for Atlanta.

Atlanta travels next to Savannah, where they will face the Ghost Pirates in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.