The South Carolina Stingrays lost 5-2 to the Atlanta Gladiators Sunday afternoon at the North Charleston Coliseum, ending their season-opening win streak. Atlanta scored four goals in the final period in front of 4,657 fans, while South Carolina went scoreless on all three power-play opportunities.
Ben Strinden and Mike McNamee each recorded four points for Atlanta. Strinden scored on the game’s first shot, and McNamee scored twice, including the empty-net goal that sealed the victory.
South Carolina Stingrays Take Lead in Second Period
Strinden gave the Gladiators a 1-0 lead less than a minute into the game. South Carolina recorded 18 shots in the opening period but entered the second frame trailing by one goal.
Cam Morrison tied the game at 1-1 with 14:25 remaining in the second period. Less than a minute later, Kyle Jackson broke loose on a breakaway and gave the Stingrays a 2-1 lead by beating Atlanta goaltender TJ Semptimphelter.
South Carolina’s penalty kill kept Atlanta off the scoreboard during a late second-period power play. The Stingrays carried their 2-1 advantage into the final period after failing to score on their three power-play opportunities.
Atlanta Gladiators Score Four Times in Final Period
Josh Prokop hit the left post with a shot from the point three minutes into the third period. On the following faceoff, Atlanta tied the game at 2-2 on an odd-man rush.
With 8:10 remaining, South Carolina goaltender Bjorklund made a pad save after a faceoff shot, but Mike McNamee collected the rebound and gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead. Just over a minute later, Brandon Trook scored on a breakaway to extend the Gladiators’ advantage to 4-2.
“I think we carried the momentum there in the second and then came out kind of flat in the third, which can’t happen,” Morrison said. “I think we’re too good for that to happen.”
With the South Carolina net empty and two minutes remaining, McNamee scored his second goal of the game to complete Atlanta’s four-goal third period and secure the 5-2 victory.
Jesse Kallechy Looks for Response
South Carolina head coach Jesse Kallechy said the Stingrays needed to learn from the loss. “The start’s been great and I think we’ve done a lot of things well but you’re always judged on your last performance,” Kallechy said. “This one is certainly one that we’re going to want back, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t take anything from it.”
The game marked South Carolina’s first contest this season without a power-play goal. Kallechy said the result gave the Stingrays areas to address.
“There’s lots of things that we have to improve on,” Kallechy said, “There’s no doubt that this tape will give us some good starting points and things we’ll need to attack this week and we’ll get after that starting tomorrow.”
South Carolina Stingrays Return Friday
The South Carolina Stingrays are scheduled to host the Orlando Solar Bears Friday, November 6, at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum for Jets and Vets Night, presented by Charleston Southern University. The team listed 2026-27 season ticket plans and group tickets as available.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
South Carolina built a 2-1 lead in the second period, but Atlanta’s four-goal final period determined the outcome. The Stingrays also went without a power-play goal for the first time this season as they prepare for their next home game.
Source: Original report
