DULUTH -- In their first game on home ice since February 15th, it was specialty teams and Stingrays' goalie, Jeff Jakaitis, that hurt the Gladiators (17-35-3-2) as they were shutout by the South Carolina Stingrays (33-18-1-6), 3-0. South Carolina picked up their 15th straight win, as Brandon Wong had a goal and an assist alongside Jakaitis' stellar performance.
The two southern rivals let their animosity towards each other be known immediately. 13 minutes into the game, Patrick MacGregor violently collided into Garret Haar in the middle of a line change. Stingrays enforcer Marcus Perrier challenged MacGregor to a fight and the rookie answered the bell, doing a solid job of standing his ground.
However, it was the Stingrays who were able to harness all their energy on a power play at the end of the period and put one on the board first. In front of a chaotic Gladiators' net, Brandon Wong sent the puck in towards Mike Lee. Joe Devin was at the top of the crease, waiting with his back to Lee, and as the puck approached, he tipped the puck between his legs and underneath Lee at 18:18. The Stingrays limited the home team to only two shots on goal the entire period.
Once again, South Carolina was able to capitalize on a power play, stinging the Gladiators with another goal at 15:28 in the second period. Andrew Rowe dished the puck over to Wong, just outside the left side of the crease. Wong was able to slip it right in between Lee and the nearside post, for his 19th goal of the season and 46th point.
The Gladiators created more opportunities for themselves this period, rushing down on Jeff Jakaitis in the Stingrays' net consistently, but were unable to capitalize on any of their seven shots.
Wayne Simpson made it three for the Stingrays almost immediately in the third period at 4:36. Lee Moffie smacked a shot directly into Lee, that bounced off of him with force directly out to an awaiting Simpson, who hit a one-timer straight back past Lee into the net. That was the last goal the fans would see, as the Gladiators continued to battle, forcing Jakaitis to stay on his toes for 14 shots, but could not figure out how to get the puck past the Stingrays' brick wall in net.
Jeff Jakaitis picked up the win for the 'Rays, shutting out his former team by saving all of their 23 attempts. Mike Lee saved 28 of 31 for the Gladiators.
The Gladiators will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, March 8th, when they take on the Florida Everblades at 2:05 p.m. Come and enjoy another Kroger Family Sunday, which includes four Premium Level Tickets, one $5 Gladiators Merchandise Coupon, and a voucher for a Kroger Family Meal.
For tickets and schedule information, visit the official team website at www.gwinnettgladiators.com or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.
The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league, and are affiliated with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth
Monday
January 27th, 2025
12:09PM
