Gladiators Shut Out in Game One of Playoffs

For the first time all season the Gwinnett Gladiators were shut out, dropping Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the South Carolina Stingrays 3-0 at North Charleston Coliseum Tuesday (April 3). Daren Machesney made 20 saves, and the Rays took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Forward Greg Stewart led the way for the Rays with two goals, while Pierre-Luc O’Brien chipped in two assists. Game Two of the Kelly Cup Playoffs is scheduled Wednesday (April 4) at 7:05 p.m. at North Charleston Coliseum, while the Gladiators return home for Game Three Friday (April 6) at 7:05 p.m. at the .

Stingrays defenseman Johann Kroll netted the lone goal of the first period. At 10:40 he blasted a slapper from between the circles past Gladiators goalie Marc Cheverie on the power play to push South Carolina ahead 1-0.

In the second, Stewart rifled a quick wrist shot from the far side past Cheverie to extend the South Carolina edge to 2-0 at 12:16. Gwinnett headed into the third down by two with shots even at 16-16.

South Carolina asserted themselves defensively in the final period, holding the Gladiators to just four shots. Stewart provided further breathing room just 1:26 in, following up on a rebound chance point blank and beating Cheverie high glove side for his second tally of the night.

The Gladiators were outshot 26-20 and were held scoreless on just two power-play chances, both coming in the first period. South Carolina went 1-for-4 on the man advantage.

(Editor's note: This game report provided by the Gwinnett Gladiators.)