Stingrays come up short against Gladiators

Duluth, Ga. — Forwards Tyler McNeely and Hunter Bishop each recorded three-point games, but South Carolina could not overcome Gwinnett, falling to the Gladiators, 5-3, at The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Thursday night.

Gladiators forward Doug Jones opened the scoring with his team-leading 11th goal of the season at 15:06 of the first period, tipping a pass under Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (19 saves on 23 shots).

Forward Andy Brandt made it a 2-0 Gladiators lead at 6:14 of the second period.

McNeely cut the lead in half on the power play moments later, tapping a pass from Bishop past the blocker of Gladiators netminder Louis Domingue (15 saves on 18 shots). Forward Robby Dee added the second assist.

Bishop tied the game at 18:02 with help from McNeely and Dee.

The Gladiators reclaimed a two-goal advantage behind goals from rookie Evan Bloodoff and defenseman Russ Sinkewich 23 seconds apart at 12:06 and 12:29 of the third period.

McNeely pulled it back within one at 13:22 from Bishop, but Gladiators forward Scott Arnold sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:58.

The Stingrays wrap up a four-game road trip today at 7:05 p.m. against the Gladiators, and return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. to host the Wheeling Nailers.