NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The South Carolina Stingrays (1-1) fell to the Gwinnett Gladiators (1-1) 3-2 in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Wednesday evening at the North Charleston Coliseum. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.
The Stingrays took an early lead 4:15 into the first period when forward Maxime Lacroix lifted a shot over the right shoulder of Gladiators goaltender Marc Cheverie (W, 20 saves on 22 shots) from the bottom of the right-wing circle. Defenseman Phil Oreskovic and forward Chris Higgins recorded assists.
Former Stingray Justin Milo put the Gladiators on the board on the power play at 5:37 of the second period tapping a pass from Tyler Murovich past the left pad of Stingrays netminder Daren Machesney (L, 23 saves on 26 shots). Forward Bryan Brutlag added the second assist.
The Stingrays reclaimed the lead at 2:24 of the third period with forward Greg Stewart’s third goal of the playoffs from forwards Shea Walters and Michael Dorr . At the 11:18 mark, Gladiators forward Joey Haddad knotted the game back up on the power play from forward Andy Brandt and defenseman Paul Flache . Haddad buried the game-winning goal with 1:51 to play to seal the victory. Brandt and forward Pat Galivan grabbed assists. The Stingrays finished the night 0-for-2 on the power play while the Gladiators went 2-for-5.
The best-of-five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series moves to The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA for Game Three on Friday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. Game Four is scheduled for Sunday, April 8 at 2:05 p.m. at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Comment@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.