DULUTH, Ga – Zach Tarkir scored at 4:19 of the fourth overtime period and the South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators 4-3 in front of 3,941 fans and took a two games to one lead in the series. Just a few minutes earlier, it appeared as if the Gladiators had won the game when Pat Galivan put the puck in the net. But the referee immediately waved off the goal, ruling that it was intentionally punched into the net with the hand. The Stingray’s only lead of the game was the overtime game-winner.
After splitting the first two games in North Charleston, S.C., the teams moved to the Arena at Gwinnett Center to decide the best of five quarter final series. Neither team could get an edge as they traded goals, ending regulation and three overtime periods tied at 3-3. Gwinnett started the scoring at 6:39 of the first period when defenseman Dallas Jackson fired a rebound past goaltender Rob Madore. Joey Haddad and Pat Galivan assisted. The Stingrays came right back with a power play goal by Johann Kroll at 9:38. Assists went to Maxime Lacroix and Tarkir.
The Gladiators took a 2-1 lead at the 8:12 mark of the second period when Andy Brandt picked up another rebound and beat Madore. Jackson got the lone assist. Once again, the Stingrays tied the game at 10:15 when Matt Scherer beat Gwinnett goaltender Marc Cheverie. Assists went to Greg Stewart and Dustin Stevenson.
Gwinnett took the lead for the third time with another second period goal Jacob Drewiske at 15:18. Paul Flache and Sean Duddy assisted. And for the third time, the Stingrays tied the game with the lone third period goal by Stevenson at 2:15, assisted by Shea Walters and Chris Higgins.
The Gladiators had numerous chances near the end of regulation to put the game away with a late power play and several close calls in the final 90 seconds. They continued to pepper Madore in the first overtime period, outshooting the Stingrays 15-5. Despite numerous rebound chances, they couldn’t put one in the net.
The Gladiators continued to pressure South Carolina in the second overtime until they committed an untimely slashing penalty, giving the Stingrays a golden opportunity to win the game. But the Stingrays gave it right back to Gwinnett, giving up most of their power play with a hooking penalty of their own. The teams traded numerous shots, most of which were blocked or deflected, never making it on goal. Gwinnett outshot South Carolina 5-4. Both teams skated on their reserve tanks during the third overtime, but despite some good opportunities, no one was able to solve either goaltender. Gwinnett appeared to have a little bit more in the tank, but Stingray goaltender Madore refused to let anything get by. Madore was pressed into service for his first game when Daren Machesney was called up to the Hershey Bears of the AHL.
Madore finished with 54 saves on 57 shots while Cheverie stopped 44 of 48 Stingray shots, taking the loss.
The Stingrays can end the series on Sunday afternoon, following a well-deserved day off.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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