NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Trent Campbell's go-ahead goal with 3:49 left in the third sunk the Gwinnett Gladiators Saturday night, as they had their five-game regulation unbeaten streak snapped by the Stingrays 3-2 at North Charleston Coliseum.
Campbell broke in to the Glads zone on a two-on-one with former Gladiator forward Chris Higgins, and after a couple nifty passes found himself all alone for a put-in on the near side for his fourth goal of the season. South Carolina held on from there, as Capitals goalie prospect Philipp Grubauer stopped 24 shots to earn his seventh win of the season.
The Glads (8-4-2-2) still lead the South Division by one point over the Rays (9-6-0-1).
Rookie defenseman Corey Fienhage got the Glads on the board first with the lone marker of the opening period. The Sabres prospect joined a two-on-rush late and beat Grubauer high with a quick wrister to notch his third of the season at 11:59. Forward Riley Boychuk picked up his first point with the Gladiators, getting the assist after finding Fienhage on the rush.
In the second, South Carolina drew even on a goal by former NHLer Greg Stewart at 15:29. The Gladiators answered however late in the period at 19:21.
Andy Brandt followed up on a powerplay scoring chance in front to pot his third goal of the season with help from former Stingrays Nikita Kashirsky and Justin Milo. It was just the third powerplay goal the Rays had allowed at home all season.
The 2-1 edge was short-lived. Just 28 seconds later Pierre-Luc O'Brien beat Billy Sauer on a wrap-around on a Rays man advantage to make it a 2-2 game into the third.
Sauer stopped 16 shots in a losing effort. Gwinnett finished 1-for-4 on the man advantage while South Carolina went 1-for-3.
Both teams are back at it Sunday at 4:00 p.m. from North Charleston Coliseum.
Friday
April 19th, 2024
10:09PM
