ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Rays Sneak Past Gladiators, 3-2

December 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - A Wayne Simpson snipe late in the second period stood up as the game-winner, and despite a flurry of late chances the Gladiators dropped a 3-2 decision Saturday night at North Charleston Coliseum.

Brad Phillips made several highlight reel stops, turning side 26 shots for the Gladiators in a losing cause. His counterpart David LeNeveu made 19saves for his third win of the season.

Just as they did the night before, South Carolina drew first blood with Luke Grenier capitalizing on a giveaway behind the net by Phillips. The Gladiators came back though just over a minute later.

A point shot was stopped by LeNeveu, but he lost the rebound on the far side of the crease and Coyotes prospect Josh Currie buried the rebound for his fourth goal of the season. Evan Bloodoff and Joey Haddad had the assists.

Also much like Friday night the Rays answered with a tally late in the period. Paul Rodrigues rifled a nice feed from Peter Boyd on the far side past Phillips to push the Stingrays ahead 2-1 with just 18 seconds left in the first.

The opening period also featured a feisty bout between two heavyweights, as an even scrap ended with Gwinnett's Brett Lyon throwing down Steve Spinell.

Gwinnett drew even at the 16:31 mark of the second period. Brian Elser worked the puck into the Rays zone, moving it to Lyon, who fed a beautiful pass to the slot for Malouin. The Granby, Quebec native made no mistake, as he lifted the puck over LeNeveu for his first pro goal.

South Carolina managed to get back the lead with another goal late in a period. Wayne Simpson gunned a shot over the glove of Phillips from the near dot with 58 seconds left in the second, putting the Rays ahead for good, 3-2.

Gwinnett had several chances with an empty net in the closing minute, but LeNeveu made a couple big stops The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league and are affiliated with the Phoenix 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.

For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit GwinnettGladiators.com, or "like" the Gladiators on Facebook (Facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators), and follow the team on Twitter (Twitter.com/GWTGladiators).

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