NORTH CHARLESTON , S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays lost another tough game again last night as they bowed to the Gwinnett Gladiators 1-0 before a post Thanksgiving Day crowd of 2,798 at the North Charleston Coliseum. It was the third straight game in which the ‘Rays have failed to score. That hasn’t happened since the now defunct Baton Rouge Kingfish suffered four straight shutout losses, back in 2003, going 320 minutes and nine seconds, between scores over six games. The game was a defensive battle, with only four minor penalties assessed in the game by Referee Curtis Marouelli. South Carolina went 0-3 on the power play while Gwinnett failed in their only attempt. Frustratingly for local fans the ‘Rays hammered winning goal tender, Billy Sauer, with 32 shots and managed to hold Gwinnett to just 13 shots in front of losing goaltender Shane Connelly. Despite the defensive effort they couldn’t get the puck past Sauer. He now carries 2.13 goals against average, good for second best among active net minders in the ECHL. The Gladiators’ winning goal came early in the third period, when Andy Brandt squeezed a wrist shot through the pads of Connelly. Brandt’s fifth goal of the season came from the far side face off circle. Matt Francis drew the only assist on the score which came 1:16 into the last period. Sauer who played his collegiate hockey at the University of Michigan was especially strong in the third period and during a late South Carolina power play, in the last 1:20 of the game. Almost half of the ‘Rays’ game total of 32 shots on goal came in the third period as they pelted Sauer with 15 shots. The ‘Rays kept the puck in the Gladiators’ zone during the entire power play but could not tie the game despite the advantage. Gwinnett has now successfully killed off 29 straight power plays. South Carolina is currently tied for last place with the Trenton Devils in the Eastern Conference of the ECHL with a record of 6-10-1 and 13 points. Only Ontario in the Western Conference has fewer points (11) than the ‘Rays, however both Ontario and Trenton have played fewer games. The Walleyes (14 points) have scored four fewer goals this season than South Carolina, but have played one less contest to date. The ‘Rays’ last place position is both unfamiliar and uncomfortable to a franchise that has only failed to make the playoffs one time in the past 17 seasons. They will try to break their scoreless streak again Sunday, when they host Toledo in a 4 p.m. Kids Day matinee affair. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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