DULUTH, G.A. – Tied in the 3rd period, the South Carolina Stingrays got a game-winning goal from Simon Pinard midway through the final frame to push South Carolina past the Atlanta Gladiators, 3-2, on Sunday at the Gas South Arena.
Atlanta (9-4-0-0) opened the scoring quickly just under four minutes in taking a 1-0 lead on home ice, but South Carolina (10-5-0-0) responded in a big way.
Just under four minutes later, Romain Rodzinski, playing in his 100th ECHL game, let a shot go from the blue line that produced a rebound for Ludwig Persson to tap home his first goal as a Stingray, tying the game at one. Less than three minutes later, the Stingrays dominated in the attacking zone and Kyler Kupka wrapped a pass to the back post for Kaden Bohlsen who roofed his fifth goal this season and sent South Carolina ahead, 2-1.
Following the goal from Bohlsen, both netminders, Seth Eisele for South Carolina and T.J. Semptimphelter for Atlanta, settled in, keeping both offenses at bay until the 3rd.
3:41 into the final period, Ryan Nolan scored, tying the game at two, and both sides pressed for the go-ahead goal. After penalties against both teams made it 4-on-4, Kupka found a step behind the Atlanta defense for a breakaway. His shot went off the crossbar, but a trailing Simon Pinard cleaned up the rebound with 10:36 left in regulation, giving the Stingrays the lead again, 3-2. Eisele and the Stingrays locked down the Gladiators for the final 10 minutes and picked up their tenth win of the season, 3-2, over Atlanta.
In the victory, Persson had his first multi-point game as a Stingray while Kupka added another multi-point performance. Pinard scored his team-leading sixth goal with the game-winner in the 3rd. Eisele stopped 22 shots on 24 attempts for his third win of the season. South Carolina moves back into first place in the South Division with the win.
South Carolina and Atlanta meet again on Wednesday night. Puck drop is slated for 7:10 p.m. from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.
____
The Stingrays return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday, November 28, at 7:05 p.m. against the Greensboro Gargoyles for Glow Night, presented by Palmetto Pump House. The full schedule can be viewed on our website here.
2025-26 Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.
Save money with group tickets! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.
Follow the Stingrays on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers