Bishop’s 2 goals not enough for Stingrays

Duluth, Ga. — Forward Hunter Bishop scored two goals for South Carolina in a losing effort Sunday as the Stingrays (4-6-0-1) wrapped up three games in three days with a 3-2 loss to the Gwinnett Gladiators at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

The Gladiators (7-3-1-0) scored three goals in the opening period to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Defenseman Dallas Jackson kicked off the scoring at 7:20 with a power-play marker beating Stingrays goaltender Shawn Hunwick (31 saves on 34 shots) with a shot through traffic from the right-wing point.

Defenseman Kyle Lawson gave the Gladiators a two-goal lead at 12:06 and rookie Evan Bloodoff netted his fourth goal of the season at 15:31.

The Stingrays responded with two goals in the second period from Bishop to make it a one-goal Gladiators lead.

Bishop buried his third goal of the season at 8:16, tapping in a rebound past the right pad of Gladiators netminder Ryan Zapolski (16 saves on 18 shots). Forward Tyler McNeely added the lone assist.

Bishop struck again with a power-play tally at 19:11 from defenseman Kevin Quick and forward Shawn Weller.

Gwinnett kept the Stingrays off the score sheet in the third period, allowing six shots. The Stingrays finished 1 for 3 on the power play. while Gwinnett went 1 for 2.

The Stingrays continue a

season-long, six-game road trip Wednesday against the

Kalamazoo Wings in Kalamazoo, Mich., at 10:30 a.m. at Wings Stadium.

They return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday against the Florida Everblades at 7:05 p.m. for Salute to Heroes Night with local EMS, fire and police departments.